Airtel Africa expanded network coverage, accelerated mobile money adoption and reduced diesel consumption during the 2025/26 financial year, underscoring the growing role of telecommunications companies in driving digital and financial inclusion across Africa.
The telecommunications and mobile money provider said in its Sustainability Report 2026 that investments in digital infrastructure, financial services and strategic partnerships helped connect millions of people to communications, financial and educational services across its 14 markets.
The company increased mobile network coverage to 81.9% of the population, up from 81.2% a year earlier, while rural coverage reached 73.1%, extending access to communities that remain underserved by traditional infrastructure.
Growing internet adoption also boosted customer engagement. Smartphone penetration rose to 49.5% from 44.8% the previous year, while data customer penetration increased to 45.9% from 44.2%. Transactions through Airtel's MyAirtel application surged 80% to $8.3 billion, with monthly active users reaching 10.5 million.
Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the company continued to expand access to services that increasingly shape economic opportunity across the continent.
"Across Africa, access to connectivity, financial services and digital education is increasingly essential to economic opportunity," Taldar said. "This year, we continued to grow network coverage, smartphone adoption and Airtel Money services, while strengthening partnerships that extend our impact."
The company's mobile money business recorded some of the strongest growth during the year. Airtel Money's customer base exceeded 54 million users, up from 44.6 million a year earlier, as demand for digital financial services continued to rise.
The value of transactions processed through Airtel Money climbed to approximately $196 billion, compared with $136 billion in the previous financial year. Women accounted for 44.1% of Airtel Money customers, highlighting the platform's continued role in expanding access to financial services.
Airtel Africa also expanded its Airtel Money agent network to 2.4 million agents from 1.7 million, creating new entrepreneurship opportunities and strengthening access to financial services in both urban and rural markets.
Beyond financial inclusion, the company increased investments in education and digital skills development. Through a partnership between the Airtel Africa Foundation and UNICEF, it connected 3,043 schools to free internet services by March 2026, up from 2,176 schools a year earlier.
At the same time, Airtel Africa intensified efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. The company converted more than 950 network sites from off-grid to on-grid power, nearly doubling the number converted in the previous year and reducing dependence on diesel generators.
Those measures helped cut diesel consumption by 9.1 million litres during the year. The company also recycled 94% of the waste generated by its operations, improving on the 93% recorded in the previous reporting period.
Taldar said sustainability remained central to the company's growth strategy.
"By improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on diesel, we're strengthening operational resilience while supporting long-term sustainable growth," he said.
The report highlights how telecommunications operators are increasingly using network expansion, digital finance and renewable energy initiatives to support economic development while meeting environmental goals across fast-growing African markets.
