Airtel Africa has announced significant progress in reducing its environmental impact as detailed in its newly published Sustainability Report 2026. During the 2025/26 reporting period, the company transitioned more than 950 infrastructure sites from off-grid to on-grid power, nearly doubling the previous year's figure of 500 sites. This shift has markedly decreased dependence on diesel generators, resulting in a reduction of diesel consumption by 9.1 million litres over the year.
CEO Highlights Operational Resilience
Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, stated: “By improving energy efficiency and reducing reliance on diesel, we’re strengthening operational resilience while supporting long-term sustainable growth.” The initiative is part of a broader environmental strategy integrated across the company's operations.
Waste Recycling and Environmental Stewardship
Airtel Africa also reported that 94 per cent of total generated waste was recycled during the year, up from 93 per cent in 2024/25, reinforcing its commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.
Expansion in Digital and Financial Inclusion
These decarbonisation efforts coincide with continued expansion in digital and financial inclusion. The company's network now covers 81.9 per cent of the population across its footprint, with rural coverage reaching 73.1 per cent. Smartphone penetration rose to 49.5 per cent, up from 44.8 per cent the previous year, enabling broader access to internet-enabled services.
Airtel Money Growth
Airtel Money, the company's mobile financial services platform, processed approximately $196 billion in transaction value during 2025/26, compared to $136 billion the prior year. The customer base grew to over 54 million, with 44.1 per cent of customers being women. The agent network expanded to 2.4 million, supporting entrepreneurship and employment across the continent.
Connecting Schools to the Internet
Through the Airtel Africa Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF, 3,043 schools were connected to the Internet free of charge as of 31 March 2026, up from 2,176 in 2024/25.
