Customer Base Hits 183.5 Million as Airtel Africa’s Revenue Surges by Nearly 30%
Airtel Africa plc has announced robust financial results for the year ending 31 March 2026, marking a period of significant growth driven by customer acquisition, digital innovation, and strategic investments across its operations in 14 sub-Saharan African countries. The telecommunications giant reported a 29.5% increase in revenue in reported currency to $6.415 billion, with a 24.0% growth in constant currency, reflecting the resilience of its business amid challenging macroeconomic conditions.
The company added a record 10.5 million new customers, bringing its total subscriber base to 183.5 million — the highest ever. Data customers grew by 14.8% to 84.2 million, and smartphone penetration reached 49.5%, up 4.7 percentage points year-on-year. This growth in digital adoption underpinned a 35.2% increase in data revenue, now accounting for 47.3% of total mobile services revenue, further cementing data as the dominant revenue stream.
Financial performance surged, with underlying EBITDA climbing 37.2% in reported currency to $3.162 billion, and margins expanding by 280 basis points to 49.3%. Operating profit more than doubled to $2.115 billion, driven by revenue growth and improved cost efficiencies. Profit after tax more than doubled, reaching $813 million from $328 million in the previous year.
The firm’s operational cash flow increased by 41% to $3.195 billion, with operating free cash flow rising 39.4% to $2.278 billion, enabling enhanced reinvestment and shareholder returns. Leverage improved markedly from 2.3x to 1.8x, and lease-adjusted leverage fell to 0.5x, reflecting strong balance sheet management.
Commenting on the results, Girish Sharma, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Africa, said:
“Our FY’26 results demonstrate the strength of our strategy, with customer growth, data adoption, and digital innovation at the core. We are committed to expanding our network, deepening financial inclusion, and delivering sustainable value across our markets.”
In addition to organic growth, Airtel Africa announced a series of strategic initiatives, including network infrastructure investments, partnerships in satellite connectivity with SpaceX, and infrastructure sharing agreements with Vodacom and MTN, aiming to boost coverage and digital access in underserved regions.
The company also declared a final dividend of 4.26 cents per share, reflecting a 9.2% increase, and announced plans for a secondary listing of Airtel Money, its mobile financial services platform, expected in the second half of 2026.
The 2026 financial year underscores Airtel Africa’s resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, reaffirming its position as a leading driver of telecommunications and financial inclusion in Africa.