Airtel Africa posts strong nine-month growth

Airtel Africa plc has released its financial results for the nine-month period ended 31 December 2025, delivering a robust performance marked by significant growth in revenue, profitability and customer engagement across its 14 sub-Saharan African markets

The results reflect sustained momentum in data services, mobile money adoption, and disciplined cost management, reinforcing the company’s strategic positioning in fast-evolving digital markets.

During the period, total revenues reached US$4.667bn, up 28.3% in reported currency and 24.6% in constant currency compared with the prior year, driven by strong demand for connectivity and digital services. Data revenues stood out as the largest contributor to the group’s top line, increasing 36.5%, while traditional voice and mobile money segments also delivered solid growth.

Profitability expanded sharply with profit after tax rising to US$586mn, more than double the US$248mn posted in the comparable period last year. Basic earnings per share climbed to 13.1 cents, reflecting both stronger operating profits and gains from foreign exchange movements. The company’s EBITDA grew 35.9% to US$2.283bn, with margins expanding to 48.9%, highlighting efficient cost control alongside top-line growth.

Customer growth remained a key highlight, underscoring Airtel Africa’s success in expanding its market footprint. The total customer base increased 10% year-on-year to 179.4 million, with data customers rising 14.6% to 81.8 million. Smartphone penetration across its markets reached 48.1%, while average data usage per customer climbed to 8.6 GB per month, driven by enhanced network capacity and customer demand for digital services.

Mobile money expansion and strategic network investment

Airtel Africa’s mobile money platform, Airtel Money, continued to scale meaningfully. The service surpassed a major milestone by exceeding 50 million customers, reaching 52 million users, up 17.3% compared with the prior year. The platform’s annualised total processed value (TPV) exceeded US$210bn, reflecting stronger merchant adoption and deeper customer engagement across the group’s markets.

To meet rising demand for connectivity and digital financial services, Airtel Africa accelerated its infrastructure investments. During the nine-month period, the company deployed approximately 2,500 new network sites and added 4,000 km of fibre infrastructure, taking its total fibre footprint beyond 81,500 km. This network expansion contributed to improved service quality and broader coverage, with population coverage reaching 81.7%.

The strong performance underscores Airtel Africa’s strategic execution in an increasingly digital African telecommunications landscape. By balancing customer growth, digital service adoption and disciplined financial management, the company is well positioned to sustain long-term growth and deepen financial inclusion across the continent.