Airtel Africa has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting a year of accelerated digital growth, financial inclusion, and environmental action across its 14 operating countries.
The report details how the telecommunications and mobile money provider has expanded its footprint, now reaching 81.2% population coverage and connecting 2,176 schools to the internet free of charge—up from 1,201 the previous year.
The company invested $670 million in network expansion and modernisation in 2024/25, bringing its total number of 4G infrastructure sites to 36,159, with more than 15,300 located in rural areas.
The report also notes significant growth in mobile money usage, with 44.6 million Airtel Money customers—up 17.3% from the previous year.
Women now make up 44.2% of Airtel Money users, reflecting a 6.2% year-on-year increase and progress in bridging the gender gap in digital finance.
Airtel Africa also grew its data customer base by 14.1%, reaching 73.4 million users.
The number of Airtel Money agents surged to 1.7 million, up 23.4% from 2023/24, strengthening the company’s role in supporting financial access at the grassroots level.
Internally, women now represent 29.2% of Airtel’s workforce, a slight increase from 28.3% the previous year.
In terms of environmental responsibility, the report shows that 500 off-grid sites were converted to on-grid power, reducing reliance on diesel generators. Airtel also recycled 93% of its total waste, a 3% increase from the previous year.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar said the achievements point to a broader impact beyond infrastructure. “Our progress in reaching 44.6 million Airtel Money users and achieving near gender parity in digital finance shows how technology can transform lives,” he said. “We are not only building infrastructure; we are driving impact.”
Airtel Africa’s school connectivity initiative, in partnership with UNICEF, continues to scale. The program offers young learners free access to online educational resources, helping bridge the digital divide in underserved areas.
Airtel Africa’s mobile money platform remains one of the largest in Africa, playing a key role in driving digital financial inclusion.
The growing agent network also offers employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, especially in rural communities.
The 2025 report adheres to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and GSMA standards and can be accessed through the Airtel Africa website. Airtel operates in 14 African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.