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Our Correspondent
Airtel Africa plc has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive growth and environmental responsibility with the release of its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting significant progress in digital connectivity, financial inclusion, gender equity, and climate-conscious operations across its 14 African markets.
The report, released on June 17 in London, outlines how the telecommunications and mobile money provider is using technology to expand access to essential services, especially in underserved communities.
Over the past year, Airtel Africa increased its population coverage to 81.2 percent, up from 80.4 percent in the previous financial year.
The company now operates 36,159 4G sites, including more than 15,300 in rural areas, following a $670 million investment in network expansion and modernisation.
The number of Airtel Money customers rose to 44.6 million, marking a 17.3 percent increase, with 44.2 percent of users now being women, an indicator of improved gender parity.
The company also grew its data customer base to 73.4 million, reflecting a 14.1 percent rise.
Its mobile money agent network expanded by 23.4 percent, reaching 1.7 million agents who serve as key enablers of financial access in local communities.
Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer, Sunil Taldar, described the progress as evidence of technology’s power to drive inclusive development.
“This year’s achievements, from connecting 2,176 schools through the UNICEF partnership to reaching 44.6 million Airtel Money customers with near-gender parity, prove that the power of technology is a catalyst for gender balance,” he said.
He added that “At Airtel Africa, we’re not only expanding networks, we’re building bridges to education, financial security and sustainable growth for Africa’s next generation.”
The report also shows a commitment to education and youth empowerment, with 2,176 schools across the continent connected to the internet free of charge, up from 1,201 in the previous year.
Internally, women now represent 29.2 percent of the company’s workforce, a rise from 28.3 percent the year before.
On environmental sustainability, Airtel Africa converted 500 off-grid sites to on-grid power, cutting its dependence on diesel and lowering emissions.
Additionally, the company recycled 93 percent of its total waste, a three-percentage point improvement from the previous year.
The 2025 Sustainability Report adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and GSMA industry standards, demonstrating the company’s focus on transparency, accountability and long-term impact.
The full report is available on Airtel Africa’s official website or click Sustainability Report 2025.
