Airtel Africa hits 179 million customers as it posts record profits

Airtel Africa continues its rapid expansion across the continent, growing its customer base by 10% and cementing Airtel Money as a fintech powerhouse with over 52 million subscribers and $210 billion in annualised transaction value.

By Nhlanhla Muthe, Senior Reporter

Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, has lauded the company’s push to expand mobile connectivity and financial inclusion across the continent, with Airtel Money surpassing 52 million subscribers and $210 billion in annualised transaction value.

Airtel Africa has delivered another strong set of results for the nine months ending 31 December 2025, highlighting the company’s continued momentum across mobile, data and fintech services.

The pan-African telecoms giant reported a 10% growth in its customer base to 179.4 million, with data subscribers increasing 14.6% to 81.8 million, supported by rising smartphone penetration, now at 48.1%.

“Smartphone adoption continues to increase, and we are seeing solid progress in the development of our home broadband business, reflecting the need for reliable, high-speed connectivity across our markets,” said Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar.

The group’s revenues surged to $4.67 billion, representing a 24.6% increase in constant currency and 28.3% in reported currency, driven by rising data consumption and the rapid expansion of Airtel Money. Data revenues grew 36.5%, reflecting the continent’s growing appetite for mobile-first digital services, while mobile money revenues rose 29.4% in constant currency, with the platform surpassing 52 million subscribers. Annualised total processed value exceeded $210 billion, up 36%, in a clear demonstration of Airtel Money’s central role in Africa’s financial inclusion.

“Our push to enhance financial inclusion across the continent continues to gain momentum,” Taldar said. “Annualised total processed value of over $210 billion underscores the depth of our merchants, agents, and partner ecosystem. We remain on track for the listing of Airtel Money in the first half of 2026.”

Profitability also strengthened, with EBITDA rising 35.9% to $2.28 billion and margins expanding to 48.9%. Profit after tax more than doubled to $586 million, supported by operational performance and favorable foreign exchange movements. Capital expenditure climbed 32.2% to $603 million to support approximately 2,500 new sites and 4,000km of fibre expansion, taking the total fibre footprint to over 81,500km and population coverage to 81.7%.

Taldar emphasised that Airtel Africa’s strategy is focused on connectivity, digital innovation, and financial inclusion. “Digitisation, technology innovation, and embedding AI in our processes will optimise the customer experience, while closer integration of GSM and Airtel Money services allows us to unlock the strong demand across our markets,” he said.

As smartphone adoption rises and data and mobile money services expand, Airtel Africa continues to cement its position as a key driver of Africa’s digital economy, bridging connectivity and financial inclusion across the continent.