Airtel Africa records a 1.8% increase in profits, reporting a net income of $415 million for the fiscal year 2021.
Airtel Africa, a leading holding company for Bharti Airtel's operations in Africa, has announced its financial results for the year ended March 31, 2021, and the recent quarterly data leading into and around that period. The company's performance, particularly in Q1 2025, has been remarkable, showcasing steady growth across various key metrics.
Robust Revenue Expansion
The company's revenue growth has been impressive, with a 24.9% increase in constant currency (22.4% reported currency) in Q1 2025. This growth was driven by tariff adjustments and strong regional performance, indicating a solid expansion of Airtel Africa's revenue streams.
Surge in Profit After Tax
Profit after tax surged by 408% year-on-year in Q1 2025, rising to $156 million from $31 million in the previous comparable period. This significant increase suggests a robust improvement in the company's profitability.
Strong Growth in Data Customers and Mobile Money Services
Data customers grew by 17.4% year-on-year to 75.6 million, showing strong growth in digital usage. Data revenue, which contributes 35% to Airtel Africa's total revenue, grew 31.2% in constant currency due to increased data usage and growth in 3G and 4G data customers.
The mobile money customer base increased by 16.1%, with transaction values up 28.7% in constant currency, highlighting accelerated adoption and usage of mobile financial services. Airtel Money added $401 million to revenue compared to $311 million last year, with a 30.7% increase in the number of mobile money agents, a 68.8% increase in kiosks, and a 95% increase in mobile money branches.
Expansion of Airtel Money's Product Portfolio
The expansion of Airtel Money's product portfolio through partnerships with financial institutions and the expansion of its merchant ecosystem has further strengthened its mobile money propositions.
Growth Across All Regions
Growth was reported across all regions, with particular improvement in Francophone Africa. Airtel Africa's revenues for the year are up by 14.2% to $3.8 billion, and the company posted net profits of $415 million, a slight growth of 1.8% from the previous year.
Leadership Change at Airtel Africa
Notably, Raghunath Mandava, the CEO of Airtel Africa, will retire from his post and as a director on 30 September. Olusegun Ogunsanya will take over as the new managing director and CEO.
Despite the economic challenges posed by Covid-19 across Africa, Airtel Africa's performance has been impressive, with strong growth in data usage, mobile money services, and overall revenue. The company's continued investment in internet infrastructure and its promising growth trajectory make it a significant player in the African telecommunications industry.
[1] Airtel Africa's Q1 2025 Financial Results [2] Airtel Africa's Mobile Money Performance in Q1 2025 [3] Airtel Africa's Overall Performance in Q1 2025
- Airtel Africa's impressive revenue growth in Q1 2025, reflecting a 24.9% increase in constant currency (22.4% reported currency), is a testament to the strong investment in technology and the robust expansion of its business, particularly in the finance sector.
- The surge in profit after tax by 408% year-on-year in Q1 2025, rising to $156 million from $31 million, underscores the significant impact of fintech innovations and investing in the company's finance-related offerings.
- The strong growth in data customers and mobile money services, coupled with the expansion of Airtel Money's product portfolio, showcases Airtel Africa's commitment to leveraging technology for business growth and financial inclusion across Africa.
