Airtel Africa plc has reported a landmark financial performance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026, characterized by a significant increase in profitability and record-breaking customer acquisitions.
The telecommunications giant saw its Profit After Tax soar to $813 million, more than doubling the $328 million recorded in the previous year. This resurgence was driven by robust operational growth and a favorable swing in foreign exchange impacts, turning a previous $179 million loss into a $127 million gain.
The company’s customer-first digital strategy led to its highest-ever net additions, increasing the total customer base to 183.5 million. Notably, data has now overtaken voice as the primary revenue driver for the Group.
“This year delivered a very strong performance… reflecting attractive industry fundamentals. Adoption of new digital technologies and AI has been pivotal in unlocking growth opportunities and driving efficiencies,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa.
Airtel Money continues to be a standout performer, with its customer base growing 21.3% to over 54 million. While the company confirmed its commitment to an Initial Public Offering (IPO) for the mobile money arm, it noted that geopolitical developments have shifted the timeline, with the listing now targeted for the second half of 2026.
Despite the celebration, the Group remains cautious regarding the global macroeconomic environment. Rising energy costs linked to geopolitical tensions are expected to create near-term inflationary pressure on margins.
To combat this, Airtel is accelerating its infrastructure spend, with Capex guidance for FY 2027 raised to $1.1 billion. The investment will focus on expanding 4G/5G coverage, subsea fiber resilience, and a new push into data centers and home broadband to capture the next wave of African digital demand.
The Board has recommended a final dividend of 4.26 cents, bringing the full-year payout to 7.1 cents per share.