Dar es Salaam. Airtel Africa’s revenue increased by 28.2 percent to $3.82 billion in the six months to September 30, 2026, supported by growth in mobile data and mobile money services, as its customer base expanded to 193.9 million.
The telecommunications company said revenue growth reached 20.8 percent in constant currency, with all its operating regions recording increases. Nigeria led with 27 percent growth, followed by Francophone Africa at 19.2 percent and East Africa at 18.2 percent, according to a statement issued on Tuesday November 03, 2026.
The group’s total customer base grew by 11.6 percent from 173.8 million in the corresponding period last year. Data customers increased by 15 percent to 89.9 million, while Airtel Money customers rose by 22.4 percent to 60.9 million.
Airtel Africa chief executive officer Sunil Taldar attributed the performance to demand across its markets and the implementation of the group’s business strategy.
‘Over the first half we have delivered another strong operating and financial performance, reflecting the depth of underlying demand across our markets and consistent execution of our strategy, with total customer growth remaining strong and stable,’ he said.
Mobile services revenue grew by 18.9 percent in constant currency to $3.14 billion, driven by a 28 percent increase in data revenue and an 11.1 percent rise in voice revenue.
The company said smartphone penetration reached 51.6 percent, while average monthly data usage per smartphone customer increased to 13.3 gigabytes from 10.1 gigabytes a year earlier. Data average revenue per user also rose by 10.7 percent in constant currency.
Airtel Money revenue increased by 25.8 percent in constant currency, supported by growth in its customer base and a 2.6 percent rise in average revenue per user to $2.50.
The annualised value of transactions processed through the mobile money platform reached $275 billion in the second quarter of the financial year, reflecting increased use of its financial services.
The growth also translated into higher profitability. Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 32.8 percent in reported currency to $1.92 billion, or 23.5 percent in constant currency.
The underlying EBITDA margin improved by 172 basis points to 50.3 percent for the half year. Taldar said the group maintained strong margins despite pressure from rising fuel costs.
‘In Q2’27, we delivered a record underlying EBITDA margin of 50.4 percent through a combination of operational discipline, ongoing cost efficiency programmes and continued scale benefits,’ he said.
Profit after tax rose to $452 million from $376 million in the corresponding period last year, while basic earnings per share increased to 10.2 US cents from 8.3 US cents.
Capital expenditure more than doubled to $657 million from $318 million, as the group increased investment in network capacity and coverage. Operating free cash flow grew by 6.8 percent to $972 million, compared with $910 million in the previous year.
Airtel Africa also highlighted the admission of Airtel Mobile Commerce N.V., the holding company for Airtel Money, to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on October 14, 2026.
The listing involved the sale of 270 million existing shares by minority shareholders, representing 10 percent of the company’s issued share capital, at £1.96 ($2.63) per share. No new capital was raised, while Airtel Africa retained a 77.85 percent stake in the business.
Mr Taldar described the listing as an important step in the group’s mobile money strategy, saying Airtel Africa remained a long-term shareholder with exposure to the business’s future growth.
The company said the listing would give Airtel Money an independent platform to pursue its expansion plans and raise its profile among international investors.
The board also approved an interim dividend of 3.1 US cents per ordinary share for the six-month period. The payment is scheduled for December 11, 2026, to shareholders registered by the close of business on November 13.
During the period, Airtel Africa completed the first tranche of its share buy-back programme, repurchasing about 24.5 million shares at a cost of $108.7 million.
Mr Taldar said the group remained confident about its prospects, citing its financial position and growing demand for digital and financial services.