Airtel Africa’s total customer base increased by 10 per cent 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 $4.667 billion rose by 24.6 per cent in constant currency and 28.3 per cent 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 per cent in Q3’26, further boosted by currency appreciation, resulting in 32.9 per cent reported currency growth.

Profit after tax improved to $586 million from $248 million in the prior period, driven by higher operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains of $99 million compared with $153 million losses in the prior period.

Mobile services revenue grew by 23.3 per cent in constant currency, with data revenues – the largest contributor to group revenue – rising by 36.5 per cent, while voice revenue increased by 13.5 per cent. Mobile money revenues also benefited from strong operating momentum, posting 29.4 per cent growth in constant currency.

Revenue in East Africa grew by 18.2 per cent in reported currency to $1.615 billion and by 14.4 per cent 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 per cent and data revenue growth of 18 per cent.

Voice revenue growth was supported by a 9.5 per cent increase in the customer base and 3.1 per cent growth in voice ARPU. Data revenue growth was primarily driven by a 15.9 per cent increase in the data customer base and 48.1 per cent 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 per cent to 7.6 GB per month, while smartphone penetration rose by 3.6 per cent to 45.2 per cent. 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 per cent, 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 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 per cent, underpinning constant currency EBITDA growth of 31 per cent.

“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.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Michael Omondi