Airtel Africa Hits 81.2% Network Coverage, Doubles Down on Green Goals

Airtel Africa  has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, detailing significant strides in driving inclusive digital growth, expanding access to mobile financial services, and embedding sustainability across its 14 markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

The report, which covers the company’s activities for the financial year 2024/25, reflects Airtel Africa’s growing role as a critical enabler of socio-economic development. With a presence in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, the DRC, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, Airtel’s core initiatives are helping bridge the digital divide, create jobs, and support resilient infrastructure.

Expanding Network Access in Rural Africa

Airtel Africa increased its mobile network population coverage to 81.2%, up from 80.4% the previous year, with a major emphasis on rural areas. The operator now has over 15,300 infrastructure sites in remote locations—providing reliable voice, data, and Airtel Money services to communities that were previously unconnected.

To support this scale, Airtel rolled out 2,600 new network sites and deployed 3,300 km of fibre, with a total capital expenditure of $670 million for the year.

Financial Inclusion on the Rise

Airtel Money continues to be a cornerstone of Airtel Africa’s financial inclusion strategy. In 2024/25, the platform saw a 17.3% year-on-year increase, serving 44.6 million customers and processing more than $136 billion in transaction value.

The platform is also advancing gender inclusion, with 44.2% of Airtel Money customers now women, up 6.2% from the previous year. In many countries, Airtel Money provides the first access to formal financial services for small-scale traders, informal workers, and women-led businesses.

Investing in Education and Skills for the Future

The report also highlights strong progress in the education space. Through its landmark $57 million partnership with UNICEF, Airtel connected 2,176 schools to the internet free of charge—up from 1,200 in the previous reporting year.

The newly launched Airtel Africa Foundation has also begun to drive impact, offering scholarships in AI and data science and supporting digital skills training for 25,000 young people in Nigeria through the government’s 3MTT programme.

Sustainable Operations and Green Commitments

Airtel Africa continued its efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. In 2024/25, the company converted 500 off-grid sites to on-grid power, helping to cut diesel usage. It also replaced 1,411 end-of-life batteries with lithium-ion alternatives, and achieved a 93% waste recycling rate across all operations.

The company also secured a $135 million sustainability-linked loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support ESG-aligned development in the DRC and Rwanda. The loan’s terms are tied to achieving specific targets around digital inclusion, financial access, and gender balance.

A Vision for Inclusive Growth

With a total customer base of 166.1 million, including 73.4 million data users, Airtel Africa says its sustainability strategy is embedded in its business operations and tied to long-term impact in local communities.

“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 of Airtel Africa.

The 2025 report is aligned with global standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). It also reflects Airtel Africa’s continued commitment to the UN Global Compact and best practices in ESG governance.

As Africa’s digital landscape evolves, Airtel Africa’s investments in infrastructure, financial technology, and climate-conscious innovation are positioning it as a key force for inclusive, tech-enabled progress across the continent.