Mobile Coverage Continues to Grow

Airtel Africa has published its 2026 Sustainability Report, which presents the results achieved during the 2025/26 fiscal year in its 14 African markets.

The telecommunications group highlights the progress made in connectivity, financial inclusion, education, and reducing its environmental impact.

Over the past year, Airtel Africa has strengthened its mobile network coverage, which now reaches 81.9% of the population in its areas of operation. In rural areas, this rate has increased to 73.1%, reflecting the group’s commitment to bringing digital services closer to underserved communities. Smartphone adoption also continues to grow, facilitating access to the internet and digital platforms.

Financial inclusion is among the group’s main growth drivers. The Airtel Money customer base now exceeds 54 million users, compared to 44.6 million a year earlier. At the same time, the value of transactions processed through the platform reached nearly $196 billion. The MyAirtel app also saw strong growth, with $8.3 billion in transactions completed during the fiscal year.

On the social front, Airtel Africa continues its efforts to promote education and employment. Its Airtel Money agent network now reaches 2.4 million people, fostering entrepreneurship and access to financial services in several countries. Thanks to its partnership with UNICEF, 3,043 schools now benefit from free internet access.

The group is also accelerating its energy transition. More than 950 sites have switched to grid-connected power, reducing reliance on diesel generators. This shift saved 9.1 million liters of fuel in one year. Furthermore, 94% of the waste produced was recycled.