Airtel Africa posts $156M Q1 profit, driven by data, mobile money, and expansion in East Africa and 13 other African markets.
Airtel Africa Plc has posted a $156 million profit after tax for the quarter ending June 30, 2025—marking a staggering 408.1% increase from the $31 million it recorded during the same period last year.
The telecom and mobile money services giant revealed this in its unaudited financial results filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Thursday.
According to Airtel, the robust performance was driven by rising customer demand across its 14 African markets, cost efficiency, and easing currency headwinds. The group’s revenue rose by 22.4% in reported currency to $1.42 billion, while operating profit jumped 33% to $446 million. In constant currency terms, revenue was up 24.9%.
“We are very pleased with the strong growth in our operating and financial performance in the first quarter. The scale of growth reflects the sustained demand for our services and the strength of our business model,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.
Strong Growth in Data, Mobile Money, and East Africa
Airtel Africa’s customer base expanded by 9% to 169.4 million users, with data subscribers growing 17.4% to 75.6 million. Revenue from mobile money operations—delivered via Airtel Money—also posted sharp gains. The platform’s user base rose 16.1% to 45.8 million, and annualised transaction value surged by 35% to $162 billion. Mobile money revenue grew by 30.3% in constant currency.
Across East Africa, Airtel operates in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda, where it has continued to roll out 4G network coverage, expand its mobile money footprint, and provide affordable data bundles to increase digital inclusion.
In Kenya, Airtel continues to be the second-largest operator after Safaricom, while in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, it is a key player in expanding mobile money access and internet penetration—especially in rural areas.
Network Expansion and Cost Efficiency
During the quarter, the company added 2,300 new sites, bringing its total network infrastructure to 37,579 sites, helping raise 4G coverage to 74.7% of the population across its operating markets. Smartphone penetration also improved to 45.9%, reflecting the growing affordability and availability of smart devices.
Airtel Africa, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and cross-listed in Nigeria, saw its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) grow by 29.8% to $679 million, with the EBITDA margin improving to 48%, up from 45.3% a year earlier.
Capital Expenditure and Outlook
Capital expenditure for the quarter stood at $121 million, a drop attributed to timing differences. Nevertheless, the group reaffirmed its full-year capex guidance, projected to range between $725 million and $750 million.
Airtel Africa’s footprint now includes operations in 14 countries across the continent:
- East Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
- West and Central Africa: Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Francophone and Southern Africa: Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar, and Seychelles
As of June 2025, East Africa remains a crucial growth engine for Airtel’s data and mobile money services, particularly due to its youthful population, mobile-first culture, and increasing smartphone adoption.
