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Airtel Africa registers 173.8 million customers by Sept 2025

LAGOS-(MaraviPost)-Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across the continent has registered significant customers base increase to 173.8 million representing 11.0%.

With data customers of 78.1 million showing accelerated growth of 18.4%.

While Smartphone penetration increased from 3.8% to 46.8%, with data ARPU’s growing by 16.8% in constant currency primarily reflecting the 45.0% increase in data traffic across the network.

This is a strong financial and operational performance for the half-year period ended September 30, 2025, the company has released.

According to the company’s half-year report released on Thursday, the total revenue reached $2.98 billion, representing a 24.5% increase in constant currency and 25.8% growth in reported currency, aided by currency appreciation.

The report show profit after tax also rose significantly to $376 million, up from $79 million in the same period last year.

The company’s mobile money segment continued to perform strongly, with revenues growing by 30.2% in constant currency, attributed to increased scale and higher customer engagement.

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sunil Taldar attributed the strong results to the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and strategic initiatives aimed at digital transformation.

“Our strategy has been focused on providing a superior customer experience, and the strength of these results is testament to the initiatives we have been implementing across the business,” said Taldar.

He added that the growing smartphone penetration underscores the rising demand for data services across Airtel Africa’s markets and presents an opportunity to further develop the digital economy.

“The acceleration in customer growth and continued engagement on our platform reflect our success in driving digital adoption and innovation to enhance the ecosystem,” he said.

Taldar says Airtel Africa remains committed to sustaining its growth momentum through targeted investments and efficiency improvements.

He assures, “We will continue to focus on incremental margin improvements. Subject to macroeconomic stability, the strong performance gives us confidence to increase our capital expenditure guidance for this financial year to between $875 million and $900 million, as we accelerate investments to capture the full potential across our markets and deliver long-term value for all stakeholders”.

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General Mkunda: Tanzanian Commander winning hearts for choosing citizens over power

In a rare act of courage and restraint, Tanzania’s Chief of Defense Forces, General Jacob Mkunda, has won widespread praise from citizens for reportedly standing with the people during recent anti-government protests.

According to accounts circulating across Tanzania, General Mkunda made the decision to protect protesters instead of ordering the army to open fire, defying expectations that the military would be used to suppress demonstrations.

This act of restraint has made him an instant national hero, with many Tanzanians describing him as a symbol of integrity, patriotism, and justice.

In a political climate marked by tension, violence, and growing public frustration, Mkunda’s choice to prioritize human life over regime loyalty has sent shockwaves through the nation’s power structures.

Protesters had taken to the streets following a controversial election marred by allegations of repression, disqualifications, and arrests of opposition figures.

While security forces in some regions were accused of heavy-handed responses, reports suggest that General Mkunda instructed his officers to exercise restraint and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

This move not only helped de-escalate violence but also showcased the Tanzanian military’s potential to act as a professional and people-centered institution.

Across social media, citizens have hailed the General as a defender of democracy, comparing him to historical African figures who placed national unity above political survival.

Some commentators argue that Mkunda’s stance represents a defining moment for civil-military relations in Tanzania, setting a new precedent for military professionalism in times of political turmoil.

His popularity has surged beyond the barracks, as ordinary Tanzanians share messages of gratitude and admiration, calling him “the soldier of the people.”

Observers note that General Mkunda’s decision reflects moral strength and deep respect for the rule of law, qualities that are often tested under authoritarian pressure.

It also raises an important debate across East Africa: What is the role of the military in times of political crisis — to protect the government or to safeguard the people?

Many Kenyans, Ugandans, and Malawians have joined the discussion online, contrasting Mkunda’s example with the behavior of generals in their own countries during periods of unrest.

In Kenya, for instance, some social media users have questioned whether their military leadership would stand with the people or the state in a similar situation.

By choosing restraint over repression, General Mkunda has demonstrated that true strength lies in humanity, not in the use of force.

His actions could mark a turning point in how African militaries engage with citizens, reminding leaders across the continent that loyalty to the nation should always outweigh loyalty to politics.

As Tanzania reflects on this moment of conscience and courage, one question echoes beyond its borders — will other generals across Africa follow Mkunda’s example and stand for justice when it matters most?

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