…Data emerged as the company’s largest revenue stream, contributing 39.4% of total revenue (2025FY: 36.4%), supported by rapid growth in customers, ARPU, and usage levels
…Profit before tax rose 114.5% y/y to USD1.42 billion, while profit after tax increased 147.4% y/y to USD812.58 million.
SAT MAY 09 2026-theGBJournal| Airtel Africa Plc (AIRTELAFRI) delivered a standout 2026FY performance, with EPS surging 212.2% y/y to USD0.19 (2025FY: USD0.06), driven by robust revenue growth, expanding margins, and strong execution across its core markets.
The earnings performance published Friday shows that revenue rose 29.5% y/y, while EBITDA margin improved by 280bps to 49.3%. The board also proposed a final dividend of USD0.04/share, implying a 1.7% dividend yield based on the closing price of N3,323.40/share as of 08 May at N1,355.85/USD.
”Our ongoing cost efficiency programme and strong top-line performance both contributed to underlying EBITDA margins of 49.3%, peaking at 50.3% in Q4’26,” said CEO Sunil Taldar while providing the trading update.
Taldar however warned that the recent increase in energy costs arising from the ongoing geopolitical events will likely lead to increased cost inflation, resulting in EBITDA margin pressure in the near-term.
”However, with a strong growth outlook, and an enhanced focus on cost efficiencies, we will look to limit the overall impact on our business.”
Meanwhile, AIRTELAFRI’s revenue momentum was powered by broad-based expansion across voice (+18.0% y/y), data (+40.3% y/y), mobile money (+36.3% y/y), and other services (+15.2% y/y).
Data emerged as the company’s largest revenue stream, contributing 39.4% of total revenue (2025FY: 36.4%), supported by rapid growth in customers, ARPU, and usage levels. Data subscribers increased 14.8% y/y to 84.25 million, while average data usage per customer climbed 27.1% y/y to 8.90GB.
Voice revenue also remained resilient, accounting for 36.1% of total revenue, supported by continued customer additions and improving ARPU. Overall mobile services ARPU strengthened 16.0% y/y to USD2.56, reflecting improving monetisation across markets.
Mobile money maintained strong traction, contributing 21.1% of group revenue as processed transaction value surged 43.5% y/y to USD195.85 billion. Growth was driven by rising adoption across wallet services, payments, transfers, and financial services, with the customer base expanding 21.3% y/y to 54.06 million.
Nigeria remained the key growth engine, with revenue surging 52.9% y/y, supported by tariff adjustments, stronger consumer demand, naira appreciation, and accelerating data usage.
Data revenue in Nigeria jumped 69.8% y/y and now contributes over half of OpCo revenue, while ARPU rose sharply by 41.6% y/y.
East Africa sustained healthy momentum with revenue growth of 24.0% y/y, supported by stronger data traffic, currency appreciation, and customer growth. Francophone Africa also posted solid growth of 21.5% y/y, led by continued expansion in data and mobile money services.
Profitability strengthened materially as EBITDA margin expanded to 49.3%, reflecting the benefits of operating leverage and ongoing cost-efficiency initiatives. Margin improvement was particularly strong in Nigeria, where EBITDA margin rose 782bps y/y to 57.5%.
Below the operating line, finance costs declined 13.3% y/y as foreign exchange gains from naira appreciation offset higher lease-related interest expenses.
Consequently, profit before tax rose 114.5% y/y to USD1.42 billion, while profit after tax increased 147.4% y/y to USD812.58 million.
Earnings momentum to remain firm in 2027FY, supported by continued growth in data demand, expanding smartphone penetration, and favourable demographic trends across its markets, said analysts at Cordros Research.
”While elevated energy costs and currency volatility remain key risks, we expect ongoing efficiency initiatives and operating leverage to support margins over the period.”
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