Airtel Africa Delivers 375% Profit Spike Powered by Data and Fintech
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Airtel Africa Posts 375% Profit Surge as Data Overtakes Voice for the First Time
Airtel Africa has opened its 2025 financial year with a powerful rebound, reporting a 375 percent rise in profit after tax to $376 million for the half-year ended September 30, 2025. The turnaround marks one of the telco’s strongest performances in years, driven by surging data usage, rapid mobile money adoption, and improved currency conditions in major markets such as Nigeria and Francophone Africa.
The latest results reflect Airtel Africa’s shift from traditional voice revenues toward a digitally focused model that is now delivering significant financial gains.
Data Becomes Airtel Africa’s Largest Revenue Stream
For the first time in its history, Airtel Africa’s data revenue surpassed voice to become its biggest earnings driver. Data income rose 37 percent in constant currency to $1.16 billion, supported by an 18.4 percent increase in active data users to 78.1 million.
Smartphone penetration reached 46.8 percent, while average monthly data consumption climbed to 8.2GB per user, showing increasing affordability and deeper digital engagement across the continent.
“Data is now the heartbeat of our business,” said CEO Sunil Taldar. “We have made strategic investments to ensure that our customers experience superior connectivity, and this has translated directly into stronger financial performance.”
Voice revenue also grew by 13.2 percent, supported by an 11 percent rise in subscribers to 173.8 million. However, it now trails behind data usage as consumers increasingly shift toward digital platforms, streaming, and online services.
Airtel Money Strengthens Fintech Push
Airtel Money continued its strong growth trajectory, with revenue rising 30.2 percent to $623 million. Its customer base expanded 20 percent to 49.8 million, while annualised transaction value increased nearly 36 percent to $193 billion.
The mobile money division now contributes 21 percent of Airtel Africa’s total revenue, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the company’s diversification strategy. Airtel said preparations for the planned IPO of Airtel Money remain on track for the first half of 2026.
The platform’s expansion beyond transfers into micro-lending, savings, and merchant payments highlights Africa’s accelerating demand for digital financial services.
Nigeria Leads Growth Across Regions
Nigeria, Airtel Africa’s largest market, delivered exceptional performance with a 49 percent rise in revenue in constant currency. Data revenue surged 62 percent, while EBITDA margin reached 56 percent, supported by increased network capacity and the naira’s appreciation.
Across East Africa, revenue grew 15.6 percent to $1.05 billion, while Francophone Africa recorded a 14.5 percent increase to $749 million, boosted by tariff adjustments and stronger CFA franc performance.
Airtel added more than 2,350 new network sites across its 14 markets, expanding its footprint to 38,300. The company said 98.5 percent of sites now offer 4G, while 5G services are already being rolled out in five countries. Fibre capacity increased by 4,000 kilometres to over 81,000 km.
Stronger Financial Position and Higher Dividend
EBITDA rose 33.2 percent to $1.45 billion, pushing margins to 48.5 percent from 45.8 percent a year earlier. Airtel attributed the boost to cost discipline, lower finance costs, and the absence of the heavy FX losses recorded last year.
Finance costs dropped to $304 million from $528 million a year earlier, with 95 percent of Airtel’s debt now denominated in local currency, reducing vulnerability to exchange rate fluctuations.
Operating cash flow increased 46.5 percent to $1.13 billion, while leverage improved to 2.1x from 2.3x. The board approved an interim dividend of 2.84 cents per share, a 9.2 percent increase.
Airtel Positions Itself as a Tech Company
The company’s transformation from a traditional telco into a digital-first “techco” is now clear in both its strategy and financial results. With rising data consumption, growing fintech adoption, and deeper investments in fibre and 5G infrastructure, Airtel Africa says it is preparing for the continent’s next phase of digital growth.
“Our strong half-year performance gives us confidence to raise our capex guidance,” Taldar said, adding that Airtel plans to invest up to $900 million in FY2026 to accelerate network modernisation and digital services expansion.
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