Airtel Africa has reported robust operating and financial performance for the third quarter of the 2026 financial year, driven by strong customer growth, rising data usage, expanding mobile money services and accelerated network investment across its African markets.
The telecoms and digital services provider said its total customer base grew by 10 per cent year-on-year to 179.4 million, while data customers increased by 14.6 per cent to 81.8 million. Smartphone penetration rose to 48.1 per cent, reflecting growing adoption of mobile broadband services across the continent.
Average data usage per customer climbed sharply to 8.6GB per month, up from 6.9GB in the prior period, supported by enhanced network investment. As a result, data average revenue per user (ARPU) rose by 16.6 per cent in constant currency.
Mobile money arm Airtel Money also recorded significant milestones during the quarter. The platform’s subscriber base crossed the 50 million mark to reach 52 million customers, representing a 17.3 per cent increase. Annualised total processed value (TPV) for Q3’26 surpassed $210 billion, up 36 per cent, underscoring strong growth in digital payments and financial services adoption across Airtel Africa’s footprint.
Revenues for the quarter rose to $4.67 billion, representing growth of 24.6 per cent in constant currency and 28.3 per cent in reported currency. The company said revenue growth accelerated further in Q3’26 to 24.7 per cent in constant currency, supported by favourable currency movements and strong underlying business fundamentals.
Mobile services revenue grew by 23.3 per cent in constant currency, with data revenues rising by 36.5 per cent and voice revenues increasing by 13.5 per cent. Mobile money revenues recorded a 29.4 per cent increase in constant currency.
EBITDA climbed by 35.9 per cent in reported currency to $2.28 billion, with margins expanding to 48.9 per cent from 46.2 per cent a year earlier. Sequential quarterly EBITDA margins improved further to 49.6 per cent, reflecting strong revenue growth and sustained benefits from cost efficiency initiatives.
Profit after tax rose sharply to $586 million from $248 million in the prior period, driven by higher operating profit and net derivative and foreign exchange gains of $99 million, compared with losses of $153 million previously. Basic earnings per share increased to 13.1 cents from 4.4 cents, while EPS before exceptional items more than doubled.
Capital expenditure during the quarter rose by 32.2 per cent to $603 million, in line with the company’s revised investment guidance. Airtel Africa rolled out approximately 2,500 new network sites and expanded its fibre network by about 4,000 kilometres to more than 81,500 kilometres. Population coverage improved to 81.7 per cent, up 0.6 percentage points year-on-year.
The company also reported improved leverage, with net debt to EBITDA reducing to 1.9x from 2.4x a year earlier, supported by stronger earnings growth.
Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the performance reflected the strength of Airtel Africa’s strategy and disciplined execution.
“These results highlight strong operating and financial trends across the business. We accelerated investment to enhance coverage and data capacity while expanding our fibre network, positioning us to capture the considerable growth opportunity across our markets,” Taldar said.
He added that increasing smartphone adoption, growing demand for reliable high-speed connectivity and deeper integration between GSM and Airtel Money services were improving customer experience and supporting long-term growth.
On mobile money, Taldar noted that surpassing 50 million customers and achieving annualised TPV of over $210 billion underscored Airtel Money’s role in driving financial inclusion across Africa. He confirmed that the company remains on track to list Airtel Money in the first half of 2026.
Airtel Africa said it remains focused on investing in best-in-class connectivity, expanding digital financial services and delivering sustainable value for customers and shareholders across its markets
