Airtel Africa, one of the continent’s leading smartphone network providers, has announced a remarkable 9.0% growth in its customer base, reaching 169.4 million users in the first quarter of 2025.
The company’s latest results, released for the quarter ending June 30, reveal robust operational and financial performance driven by increased demand for data and mobile financial services.
Data customers grew even faster, up 17.4% to 75.6 million, while smartphone penetration climbed 4.3 percentage points to 45.9%. This surge contributed to a 47.4% increase in data usage and an 18.5% rise in data average revenue per user (ARPU), underscoring Airtel’s commitment to digital inclusion across its markets.
Total revenue soared by 24.9% in constant currency terms, reaching $1.415 billion, supported by growth in both mobile services and mobile money. Data revenue surged 38.1%, while mobile money revenue rose 30.3%. Airtel Money continues to expand its footprint, with users increasing by 16.1% to 45.8 million and the annualised transaction value soaring 35% to $162 billion.
“We are very pleased with the strong growth in our operating and financial performance in the first quarter,” said Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “The scale of growth reflects the sustained demand for our services and the strength of our business model to meet these demands.”
In terms of infrastructure, Airtel added over 2,300 new sites, bringing its total network sites to 37,579, while extending its fibre network by 2,700 km to more than 79,600 km. This expansion lifted 4G population coverage to 74.7%, up from 71.3% a year earlier.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased 29.8% to $679 million, with margins improving from 45.3% to 48.0%. Profit after tax jumped to $156 million, a significant rise from $31 million in the same period last year.
The company’s earnings per share (EPS) rose to 3.4 cents from 0.2 cents in Q1 2024, reflecting improved profitability and the absence of last year’s foreign exchange and derivative losses. Capital expenditure stood at $121 million for the quarter, with full-year guidance reaffirmed between $725 million and $750 million.
Airtel also made progress in its debt localisation strategy, with 95% of operational company debt now denominated in local currencies, up from 86% a year ago. Leverage improved slightly to 2.2 times, while lease-adjusted leverage remained steady at 0.9 times.
Since launching the second tranche of its $55 million share buyback programme, Airtel has repurchased 7.1 million shares worth $16.9 million as of June 30, 2025.
Taldar concluded, “With our balance sheet strength, continued network investment, and sharp focus on customer experience, we are well-positioned to sustain growth and make a meaningful impact across the communities we serve.”
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