Airtel Africa has delivered another strong quarter of growth, demonstrating how rising internet adoption, smartphone usage and digital financial services are reshaping Africa’s telecommunications industry. For the quarter ended June 2026, the company reported 31% growth in revenue to $1.85 billion, supported by expanding customer numbers, higher mobile data consumption and continued momentum in its Airtel Money business across 14 African markets.

East Africa remained one of Airtel’s strongest-performing regions. Mobile services revenue increased 21.9% from $498 million to $607 million, while the subscriber base grew 9.3% to 86.5 million customers. The company’s data business continued to outperform, with revenue rising 22.5% to $269 million as the number of active data users reached 37.8 million, representing year-on-year growth of 16.8%. Average monthly data usage climbed significantly from 8.8GB to 11.9GB per customer, while smartphone penetration reached 48.1%, highlighting the rapid pace of digital adoption across the region.

Mobile financial services also remained a major contributor to growth. Airtel Money revenue increased 21.1% to $247 million, reflecting rising demand for digital payments, money transfers and financial inclusion services. Across the group’s footprint, the Airtel Money customer base expanded 17.3% to 56.5 million users, reinforcing the platform’s position as one of Africa’s leading fintech ecosystems.

The company’s overall operational performance also strengthened during the quarter. Total customers increased 11.6% to 189 million, while the number of data users rose 15.5% to 87.3 million. Strong revenue growth translated into improved profitability, with EBITDA increasing 36.6% to $928 million and profit after tax rising 27% to $198 million. These results reflect Airtel Africa’s continued investment in network expansion, digital infrastructure and customer experience across its markets.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the company’s customer-focused strategy continues to deliver growth across mobile, data and financial services. He also reaffirmed Airtel Africa’s intention to list Airtel Money on the London Stock Exchange in 2026, a move expected to unlock additional shareholder value and support the next phase of growth for one of Africa’s largest digital financial platforms.

Industry analysts say the results underscore a broader transformation taking place across Africa’s digital economy. Increasing smartphone affordability, expanding 4G and 5G networks, growing demand for online services and wider adoption of mobile payments are creating new opportunities for telecommunications companies. As businesses and consumers become increasingly connected, operators with strong digital ecosystems are expected to remain well positioned for sustained long-term growth.

For investors, Airtel Africa’s latest performance reinforces the resilience of Africa’s telecommunications sector. With nearly 189 million customers, expanding data consumption and one of the continent’s fastest-growing mobile money businesses, the company continues to strengthen its position at the centre of Africa’s digital and financial transformation.