Demonstrating sustainability impact through digital and financial inclusion
By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
Leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, Airtel Africa has published its Sustainability Report 2026, highlighting progress in expanding connectivity, advancing financial inclusion and supporting sustainable growth across its footprint during the reporting period 2025/26, Cyber Era NG learns.
We gather the Sustainability Report 2026 demonstrates how Airtel Africa’s investments in digital infrastructure, mobile financial services and strategic partnerships continue to transform lives and create opportunities for underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. It also details the company’s ongoing transition to renewable energy sources and its approach to responsible business practices, environmental stewardship and transparent sustainability reporting.
Airtel Africa’s chief executive officer, Sunil Taldar, said: “Across Africa, access to connectivity, financial services and digital education is increasingly essential to economic opportunity. At Airtel Africa, we’re expanding access to these services for millions of people, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
This year, we continued to grow network coverage, smartphone adoption and Airtel Money services, while strengthening partnerships that extend our impact.
Sustainability remains embedded in how we operate and grow our business. By improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on diesel, we’re strengthening operational resilience while supporting long-term sustainable growth.”
Find below, Airtel Africa’s ESG highlights in 2025/26
1. Expanding connectivity and bridging the digital divide
• Population covered by mobile network reached 81.9 per cent (81.2% in 2024/25),
including rural population coverage which stands at 73.1 per cent across our footprint
(72.2% in 2024/25)
• Data customer penetration increased to 45.9 per cent (44.2% in 2024/25)
• Smartphone penetration increased to 49.5 per cent (44.8% in 2024/25) supporting broader access to internet-enabled services and digital platforms
• MyAirtel app transactions grew to US$8.3 billion (+80% vs 2024/25), with monthly active users reaching 10.5 million
2. Driving financial inclusion and economic participation
• Airtel Money customers base grew to more than 54 million (44.6 million in
2024/25)
• 44.1 per cent of Airtel Money customers are women (44.2% in 2024/25)
• Airtel Money transaction processed value (TPV) was approximately US$196 billion in
2025/26 (US$136 billion in 2024/25)
3. Supporting education, skills and employment opportunities
• Airtel Money agent network expanded to 2.4 million agents (1.7 million in 2024/25), supporting entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and access to essential financial services
• Airtel Africa also continued to strengthen gender representation across the Group, with women representing 29.9 per cent of the workforce (29.2% in 2024/25)
• As of 31 March 2026, 3,043 schools were connected to the internet free of charge via the Airtel Africa Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF (2,176 in 2024/25)
4. Minimising the environmental impact of operations
• More than 950 infrastructure sites converted from off-grid to on-grid power (500 in 2024/25) reducing reliance on diesel generators
• Diesel consumption reduced by 9.1 million litres during the year
• 94 per cent of total generated waste was recycled (93% in 2024/25)
- Editor’s Note: The Sustainability Report 2026 has been prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and the GSMA telecommunications industry disclosures.
