Airtel Africa’s financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, marked a dramatic turnaround from the previous year, showcasing a robust recovery and growth trajectory. The company reported a pre-tax profit of $661 million, a staggering 1,147.8% increase compared to the $63 million pre-tax loss in 2024. This remarkable performance translated to a profit after tax of $328 million, a significant improvement from the $89 million loss in the prior year, which had been heavily impacted by derivative and foreign exchange losses, particularly within the Nigerian market. This resurgence underscores the effectiveness of Airtel Africa’s revised strategic initiatives, which prioritize network investments, digital inclusion, and financial services expansion.
The company’s revenue for the 2025 financial year reached $4.955 billion. While reported currency figures showed a slight decline of 0.5% due to currency devaluation, the constant currency growth stood at an impressive 21.1%, highlighting the underlying strength of the business. This growth momentum further accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2025, with revenue surging by 23.2% in constant currency and 17.8% in reported currency, indicating an easing of currency pressures. Airtel Africa’s strategic focus on operational execution and tariff adjustments, particularly in Nigeria, played a crucial role in driving this robust revenue growth.
Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, attributed the company’s strong operational performance to its refreshed strategy, which centers around bolstering digital and financial inclusion through targeted network investments. The company’s continued focus on network enhancements and improvements to its digital platforms has significantly enriched the customer experience, leading to increased digital adoption. This is evidenced by a 20% growth in smartphone users, reaching 74.4 million, and a corresponding 47.5% surge in data traffic over the year. These figures underscore the success of Airtel Africa’s efforts to expand its digital footprint and cater to the growing demand for data services.
Furthermore, Airtel Money, the company’s mobile money platform, continued to play a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion across its operational markets. The number of Airtel Money customers increased by 17.3% to 44.6 million, reflecting the growing adoption of mobile money services. This growth was accompanied by a substantial increase in transaction value, which reached $136 billion, a 32% rise in constant currency. The expanding Airtel Money ecosystem, characterized by a growing network of agents and merchants, further solidified its position as a key driver of financial inclusion in the region. This emphasizes the company’s commitment to providing accessible and convenient financial services to underserved populations.
The positive trajectory in Airtel Africa’s financial performance was also attributed to an improving operating environment and focused execution of its strategic initiatives. The company’s strong revenue growth, particularly the acceleration witnessed in the fourth quarter of 2025, coupled with its cost optimization program, contributed to an expansion of EBITDA margins throughout the year. These positive developments demonstrate the company’s ability to effectively manage its operations and capitalize on growth opportunities in its markets. The Nigerian tariff adjustments, implemented as part of the company’s strategic plan, further contributed to the strong revenue performance in the final quarter.
In summary, Airtel Africa’s 2025 financial results highlight a remarkable turnaround from the previous year’s losses. The company’s strategic focus on network investments, digital platform enhancements, and the expansion of Airtel Money has driven strong revenue growth, improved profitability, and solidified its position as a key player in the African telecommunications and mobile money landscape. The accelerating growth, particularly evident in Q4 2025, combined with effective cost management, signifies a positive outlook for the company’s future performance. The successful implementation of strategic initiatives, coupled with an improving operating environment, positions Airtel Africa for continued growth and success in the years to come.
