Transforming lives
We’re transforming lives across Africa through safe, reliable and resilient telecoms and financial services that enable economic growth and development.
Annika Poutiainen
Board member and sustainability champion
Delivering sustainable growth that strengthens economies and transforms lives
Connectivity is transforming lives across sub-Saharan Africa. It allows a small business to reach new customers, a young person to access digital learning and a family to manage money securely. Through its networks and mobile money services, Airtel Africa is enabling broader economic participation across sub-Saharan Africa.
Continued investment in network expansion is extending coverage deeper into underserved and rural areas, creating the foundations on which opportunity can grow. As the business expands, more people are brought within reach of communication and financial services. This progress is not a by-product – it is built into how the business is designed to grow.
The Airtel Africa Foundation extends this impact further through targeted programmes developed to support those who remain furthest from opportunity. By focusing on education, financial capability and digital skills, the Foundation complements the reach of the business and helps ensure that progress is inclusive and sustained.
From a Board perspective, we have a strong and consistent focus on ensuring that sustainability remains fully embedded in how the business operates and grows. The Board regularly reviews progress against key priorities, supported through its committees, and maintains oversight of how the business manages evolving risks, including those related to climate. This provides assurance that sustainability is not treated as a separate agenda but as an integral part of decision-making and long-term value creation.
As I step down from the Board as director and champion for sustainability, I continue to be inspired by the role Airtel Africa plays in widening access to our essential services.
In fast-growing markets, the opportunity to expand digital and financial inclusion is significant. So is the Group’s responsibility to maintain trust and high standards of governance, and use resources responsibly. As Airtel Africa extends coverage and scales mobile money services, it must continue to manage environmental impacts carefully and operate with integrity, while unlocking potential at scale and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient future.
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We have a strong and consistent focus on ensuring that sustainability remains fully embedded in how the business operates and grows.
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Statement of commitment
At Airtel Africa, sustainability is integral to how we operate, govern and grow.
We uphold high standards of data protection, regulatory compliance and business integrity, recognising that trust underpins long-term value creation. Strong governance, robust internal controls and Group-wide risk management underpin our approach, with oversight from the Board, Audit and Risk Committee and the Sustainability Committee.
Our approach to sustainability reporting aligns with international frameworks, including the UN SDGs and UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, and is informed by standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), GSMA’s recommendations for the telecoms industry and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
- See our Sustainability Report 2026 published on www.airtel.africa
- For more information on the work of the Airtel Africa Foundation, see www.airtelafricafoundation.org
Our four sustainability pillars set out how we expand digital access, support our people and communities and manage our environmental impact as we grow.
Our business
We connect millions of people every day, and that connection must be secure, reliable and resilient. As we expand and upgrade our network, more communities are coming within coverage – and for many people that means getting online for the first time.
We continue to invest in our infrastructure and digital platforms so customers can rely on consistent service, wherever they live. We strengthen cybersecurity, protect customer data and work closely with our suppliers to uphold responsible standards across our value chain. By focusing on quality, resilience and reliability, we build lasting trust with customers, regulators and partners across our markets.
Our goals
- Data security
- Service quality
- Supply chain management
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
0
successful breaches of our security platforms
(0 in 2024/25)
75.6%
4G population
(74.4% in 2024/25)
Our people
Our people bring our purpose to life every day. Across our 14 markets, their talent, commitment and local insight underpin the services we deliver to our customers and communities.
We’re creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to grow. That means improving gender balance, investing in leadership and digital skills and maintaining strong health and safety standards. We encourage collaboration, learning and open dialogue so colleagues can perform at their best. When our people thrive, we strengthen our culture, improve performance and create a more resilient business for the future.
Our goals
- Diversity and inclusion
- Training and development
- Healthy and safe work environment
- Employee engagement
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
29.9%
gender balance at the Group level
(29.2% in 2024/25)
25.8%
gender balance in our leadership in 14 OpCos
(28.5% in 2024/25)
Our community
Connectivity opens doors to opportunity. By expanding digital inclusion, scaling mobile money and establishing impactful partnerships, we’re helping more people participate in the digital economy and build secure futures. Through partnerships and the work of the Airtel Africa Foundation, we extend that impact to digital inclusion and education initiatives across our markets. Together, these efforts strengthen resilience, enhance digital skills and equip communities with tools to shape their own economic future.
Our goals
- Digital inclusion
- Financial inclusion
- Access to education
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
49.5%
smartphone penetration
(44.8% in 2024/25)
44.1%
Airtel Money women customers
(44.2% in 2024/25)
*For more information on how we support our communities with quality access to education, see www.airtelafricafoundation.org
Our environment
As we expand and modernise our network, we’re working to reduce GHG emissions, improve energy efficiency and increase the use of cleaner energy solutions across our network. We also continue to strengthen our approach to waste management and circularity. By managing our environmental impact carefully and improving operational efficiency, we support a more climate-resilient future while building a business that is fit for the long term.
Our goals
- Reduction of GHG emissions
- Environmental stewardship
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
20%
reduction in GHG emissions intensity
(vs 2022 baseline)
94%
of total waste recycled in 2025/26
(93% in 2024/25)