Airtel Africa plc
Sustainability Report 2026

Unlocking opportunities through responsible growth

Download Sustainability Report 2026

A young woman and man wearing backpacks are looking at their phones and smiling together in front of a blurred park and cityscape

Sustainability KPIs

Population covered by mobile network

81.9%

(81.2% in 2024/25)

Scope 1 and 2 emissions

136,133

tCO₂e
(134,021 in 2024/25)

Total energy consumption

457,691,861

kWh
(448,050,273 in 2024/25)

Gender balance

29.9%

(29.2% in 2024/25)

Airtel Africa at a glance

Providing essential services and connecting the unconnected across Africa

We provide voice, data and mobile money services for customers and enterprises across 14 countries in our three regions: Nigeria, East Africa and Francophone Africa. Demand for our services is supported by a young, fast-growing population who continue to seek digital and financial inclusion.

183.5 million

total customers (+10.5%)

84.2 million

data customers (+14.8%)

54.1 million

Airtel Money customers (+21.3%)

$196bn

Airtel Money total processed value (+35.2% in constant currency)

1^st or 2^nd

largest operator in 13 markets

78 million

increase in addressable population (>15 years) by 2031

Read At a glance

Footprint population: 679 million

(Source: UN population prospectus 2024, population data for 2025)

ESG highlights

Scaling opportunity across Africa

In 2025/26, we continued to expand connectivity, accelerate financial inclusion and invest responsibly across our 14 markets. As demand for data and digital finance increases in fast-growing economies, we're strengthening the infrastructure and systems that underpin long-term inclusive development.

Our ESG priorities are embedded within our strategy. By delivering reliable networks, secure financial services and disciplined environmental management, we create sustainable value for customers, communities and shareholders.

Building resilient digital infrastructure

Read ESG highlights

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Woman sitting on a sofa looking down at her phone with a relaxed smile

Expanding inclusive digital and financial participation

Read ESG highlights

Enabling skills, jobs and economic mobility

Read ESG highlights

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Woman walking through a field holding a box of vegetables

Reducing the environmental impact of our operations

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Letter from the Board

Image of Annika Poutiainen, Board member and sustainability champion

Airtel Africa’s growth is creating real opportunity. Access to connectivity, financial products and education can unlock the potential of a young and ambitious continent.

Annika Poutiainen
Board member and Airtel Africa's sustainability champion

Read Letter from the Board

Chief executive officer’s Q&A

In a continent as dynamic and diverse as Africa, the needs are significant, but so is the potential. And it’s our responsibility to ensure that as we grow, we’re creating meaningful value for the people and communities we serve.

Sunil Taldar
Chief executive officer, Airtel Africa plc

Read CEO's Q&A

40,378

infrastructure sites across our 14 markets

81,900 km

of connecting fibre across the African continent

2.4 million

Airtel Money agents

49.5%

smartphone penetration

Transforming lives

Airtel Africa is positively impacting Africa’s future

Bridging the digital divide

We're expanding reliable and affordable connectivity so that more people can connect with each other, access information and services, trade and transact.

Read ‘Bridging the digital divide’

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Woman in a fabric shop smiling while looking down at her phone

Driving financial inclusion

We're providing secure digital financial services that strengthen resilience, independence and economic participation.

Read ‘Driving financial inclusion’

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Powering livelihoods and employment

We enable income generation and entrepreneurship through our developing agent ecosystem and across our workforce.

Read ‘Powering livelihoods and employment’

Supporting social development

We invest in infrastructure that underpins national resilience, public services and long-term inclusive growth.

Read ‘Supporting social development’

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The Airtel Africa Foundation

Contributing to a thriving and inclusive Africa through development programmes for underserved communities

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Mission and strategic focus

Established in 2024, The Airtel Africa Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa, operating across 14 countries. The Foundation’s mission is to transform lives through four core pillars: financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion (‘FEED’).

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Programmes and highlights

The Airtel Africa Foundation supports initiatives across 14 markets promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth. Programmes focus on expanding access to education, strengthening digital capabilities and improving economic opportunity in communities where barriers to learning, connectivity and financial inclusion remain significant.

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Partnerships

The Foundation works closely with local teams and partners to deliver initiatives for inclusive learning, building skills for the future and unlocking opportunity for women and young people.

Sustainability strategy

Our sustainability strategy is integral to our business strategy, enabling sustainable growth, creating long-term value and transforming lives across our markets.

Our business

We connect millions of people every day, and that connection must be secure, reliable and resilient. As we expand our network, more communities are coming within coverage. 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 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. We’re creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and able to grow. That means improving gender balance, investing in skills development 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 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 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. 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.