Airtel Africa Profit Surges as Data and Mobile Money Drive Growth

Airtel Africa Plc posted a sharp rise in half-year profit to end-September 2025, boosted by strong demand for data and mobile money services and supported by currency gains in its key markets.

The telecoms operator’s profit after tax rose to $376 million from $79 million a year earlier, helped by higher operating income and gains from the appreciation of the Nigerian naira and Central African franc. Revenue climbed 24.5 percent in constant currency to $2.98 billion, while reported revenue grew 25.8 percent, reflecting currency tailwinds.

Data has now overtaken voice as Airtel Africa’s biggest revenue earner, with data sales up 37 percent year-on-year.

The number of data users grew 18.4 percent to 78 million as smartphone penetration rose to nearly half of the company’s customer base.

Average revenue per user for data increased 16.8 percent, supported by a 45 percent jump in network traffic.

Mobile money continued to anchor digital adoption, with Airtel Money customers rising 20 percent to about 50 million.

The platform processed $193 billion in annualised transaction value during the quarter, up 35.9 percent, reflecting deeper engagement and wider financial inclusion.

Airtel said plans to list its mobile money unit remain on track for the first half of 2026.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation increased 33.2 percent to $1.45 billion, lifting the group’s margin to 48.5 percent from 45.8 percent. The company credited efficiency gains and growing scale for the improved profitability.

Airtel Africa expanded its network with 2,350 new sites and extended its fibre infrastructure by about 4,000 kilometres, lifting population coverage to 81.5 percent, with nearly all sites now 4G-enabled.

The board declared an interim dividend of 2.84 cents per share, up 9.2 percent, and confirmed a $100 million share buyback programme to be completed by March 2026.

The company also raised its annual capital expenditure forecast to between $875 million and USD 900 million as it seeks to strengthen its network and capture rising data demand across its markets.

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