By M, KNA
Airtel Africa’s total customer base increased by 10 percent to 179.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2025, supported by a customer-centric strategy that underpins strong operating momentum. Increased network investment, digitisation, and innovative partnerships demonstrate tangible progress in delivering the company’s strategic priorities.
The Group’s revenues of US$4,667 million rose by 24.6 percent in constant currency and 28.3 percent in reported currency, as currency appreciation supported the strong underlying business fundamentals. Similarly, strong execution of the company’s strategy delivered constant-currency revenue growth of 24.7 percent in Q3’26, further boosted by currency appreciation, resulting in 32.9 percent reported currency growth.
Profit after tax improved to US$586 million from US$248 million in the prior period, driven by higher operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains of US$99 million, compared with US$153 million losses in the prior period.
Mobile services revenue grew by 23.3 percent in constant currency, with data revenues—the largest contributor to group revenue—rising by 36.5 percent, while voice revenue increased by 13.5 percent. Mobile money revenues also benefited from strong operating momentum, posting 29.4 percent growth in constant currency.
East Africa revenue grew by 18.2 percent in reported currency to US$1,615 million and by 14.4 percent in constant currency. Higher reported currency growth was mainly due to appreciation in the Zambian kwacha, Ugandan shilling, and Tanzanian shilling. Constant currency growth included voice revenue growth of 13.7 percent and data revenue growth of 18 percent.
Voice revenue growth was supported by a 9.5 percent increase in the customer base and 3.1 percent growth in voice ARPU. Data revenue growth was primarily driven by a 15.9 percent increase in the data customer base and 48.1 percent growth in data usage. The company continues to expand its 4G and 5G networks, with over 2,000 5G-enabled sites across four key markets.
Data usage per customer increased by 25.3 percent to 7.6 GB per month, while smartphone penetration rose by 3.6 percent to 45.2 percent. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 9.4 GB per month, compared with 7.6 GB in the prior period.
Commenting on the results, Airtel Africa Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sunil Tadar said the results highlight the strength of the company’s strategy, with strong operating and financial trends across the business.
“During the quarter, we accelerated investment to enhance coverage and data capacity while expanding our fibre network. Coupling this with innovative partnerships strengthens our customer proposition and positions us to capture considerable growth opportunities across our markets,” he stated.
Tadar added that digitisation, technology innovation, and embedding AI in company processes will optimise the customer experience, with increased digital offerings and closer integration of GSM and Airtel Money services.
“Smartphone adoption continues to increase, with penetration reaching 48.1 percent, and we are seeing solid progress in the development of our home broadband business, reflecting the demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity,” he said.
The CEO noted that Airtel’s push to enhance financial inclusion continues, with its Mobile Money customer base expanding to 52 million, surpassing the 50 million milestone. The annualised total processed value of over US$210 billion in Q3 ’26 underscores the strength of the company’s merchant, agent, and partner ecosystem and its role in improving access to financial services across Africa.
“We remain on track for the listing of Airtel Money in the first half of 2026,” he reaffirmed.
Tadar also highlighted disciplined cost execution and accelerating revenue growth, which enabled a sequential improvement in quarterly EBITDA margin to 49.6 percent, underpinning constant currency EBITDA growth of 31 percent.
“We remain focused on driving further incremental margin improvements. Our strategic priorities remain clear: investing in best-in-class connectivity, accelerating financial inclusion through mobile money, and delivering a great customer experience,” he said.
“These results reinforce our confidence in the long-term potential of our markets and our ability to create value for all our stakeholders,” Tadar added.