Progress update against our targets in 2024/25

Waste management

Eliminating hazardous waste

We made further strides this year in our efforts to reduce and eliminate hazardous waste. We strengthened our partnerships with Nokia, Huawei, ZTE and Ericsson by introducing material ‘take-back’ agreements to ensure that our end-of-life network equipment is either repaired or responsibly recycled. We're pleased to report that 93% hazardous waste materials are now recycled or reused. In addition, we continue our transition from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries across our OpCos. 

To enhance compliance, hazardous waste is processed only by licensed recyclers with oversight from relevant government agencies. Our vendor contracts include waste electrical and electronic equipment clauses, ensuring end-of-life equipment is disposed of in line with international environmental standards.

Reducing non-hazardous waste through responsible consumption

In 2024/25, our partnership with TakaTaka Solutions, a well-renowned waste management company in Kenya, resulted in 90% of office waste being recycled at Airtel Kenya headquarters. In Malawi, our collaboration with International Conservation and Cleanup Management enabled recycling of 80% of our paper waste in 2024/25.

Our broader commitment to reducing waste was reinforced by eliminating single-use plastic cups in all our corporate offices and replacing them with recyclable paper and glass alternatives. This initiative will be expanded to our shops, with full implementation targeted for March 2026.

We’ve also improved waste separation at source, ensuring that waste materials are either reused or recycled.

Water management

We identified Chad, Kenya, Niger and the Seychelles as water-stressed zones within our operations. In response, we’re strengthening our commitment to sustainable water management and conservation efforts.

In 2023/24, we established a baseline annual water consumption of 123.4 megalitres per year and rolled out a structured programme with a focus on reducing use through conservation initiatives and collecting data to reflect water usage across our operations. Water efficiency improvements are now embedded in all renovations, including the installation of automatic flushing systems and push-on taps to limit unnecessary water waste. In 2024/25, our total water consumption amounted to 128.4 megalitres, a 4.1% increase reflecting a 9.1% increase in our workforce (on-roll and off-roll employees).  

Employee engagement has also played a crucial role in our water conservation efforts. Awareness campaigns and conservation signage have been placed in strategic locations across our offices to encourage responsible water use. While our operations do not significantly impact water resources, we continue to explore further opportunities to reduce consumption.

Biodiversity

We’re increasing our focus on biodiversity, ensuring that our operations are aligned with responsible environmental management. In collaboration with GSMA and industry partners, we’re conducting research into the telecom sector’s impact on biodiversity, with findings expected to inform future sustainability initiatives.

Commitment to environmental standards

Our progress towards achieving international environmental certifications advanced significantly this year. ISO 14001 pre-certification preparations were completed across multiple OpCos, with audits scheduled to take place in our Dubai HQ, the DRC, Kenya and Nigeria. As of 31 March 2025, 36 employees received comprehensive ISO 14001:2025 training, ensuring effective integration of environmental objectives into business operations.

We also expanded our employee engagement activities related to sustainability and biodiversity, including tree planting in Kenya and robust World Environment Day campaigns across several OpCos. Under ‘Project Green,’ Kenya and Malawi led the way in responsible consumption and recycling, further embedding environmental responsibility into our operations.