Airtel Africa Reports Strong Q1 2025 Results with Double-Digit Revenue, Profit Growth

Airtel Africa Plc has announced strong financial results for the quarter ending 30 June 2025, demonstrating robust performance across all key metrics and reinforcing its strategic focus on expanding digital and financial services in its 14 African markets.

The telecommunications and mobile money company reported revenue of $1.415 billion, marking a 24.9% increase in constant currency and a 22.4% rise in reported currency. This growth was supported by a more stable macroeconomic environment, particularly in Nigeria, alongside the full impact of recent tariff adjustments.

The company saw revenue growth across all core segments. Mobile services revenue rose by 23.8% in constant currency, while data revenue surged by 38.1%, fuelled by increasing smartphone penetration and rising data usage. Voice revenue grew by 13.9%, highlighting its continued relevance in key markets. 

Mobile money services maintained strong momentum, posting 30.3% growth in constant currency. Regional performance was also strong, with Francophone Africa and East Africa recording growth of 16.4% and 20.3% respectively, in constant currency.

Profitability also improved significantly. EBITDA rose by 29.8% in reported currency to $679 million, with the EBITDA margin expanding to 48.0%, up from 45.3% a year ago. The margin growth was driven by operational efficiencies, stable fuel prices, and disciplined cost control. 

Profit after tax increased to $156 million, up sharply from $31 million in the same quarter last year, reflecting stronger operating performance and the absence of large foreign exchange and derivative losses seen in the prior period. Basic earnings per share (EPS) rose to 3.4 cents, compared to 0.2 cents a year earlier.

Operational momentum continued with a 9.0% year-on-year increase in total customers, reaching 169.4 million. Data customers grew by 17.4% to 75.6 million, reflecting Airtel Africa’s efforts to close the digital divide. Mobile money users also expanded by 16.1% to 45.8 million, with transaction values up 28.7% in constant currency.

To support this growth, Airtel Africa made significant investments in infrastructure, deploying over 2,300 new sites and extending its fibre network by 2,700 kilometres, bringing the total to over 79,600 km. Population coverage for 4G services increased to 74.7%, up 3.4 percentage points year-on-year.

Airtel Africa also advanced its debt localisation strategy to reduce exposure to foreign currency risk. As of June 2025, 95% of operating company debt (excluding lease liabilities) was denominated in local currency, compared to 86% a year earlier. The company returned $16.9 million to shareholders during the quarter through its ongoing share buyback programme, reflecting strong confidence in its financial health and long-term strategy.

Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, stated, “We are very pleased with the strong growth in our operating and financial performance in the first quarter. The scale of the growth we achieved reflects the sustained demand for our services and the strength of our business model. The acceleration in customer base growth and our relentless focus on digitisation and customer experience are driving our momentum.”