Airtel Africa’s most recent half-year results, which ended in September 2025, show that Airtel Money’s user base increased by 20 per cent annually to reach 49.8 million users in 14 countries.
- Airtel Africa’s most recent half-year results, which ended in September 2025, show that Airtel Money’s user base increased by 20...
- Improved smartphone penetration, an increasingly digital customer experience, and an expanding agent network were the main drivers of the growth.
- As a result, total mobile-money revenue increased 30 per cent annually, while ARPU increased 11 per cent in constant currency.
- Significant impact of Airtel Money on the overall performance of Airtel Africa The robust growth of Airtel Money is significantly impacting...
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Airtel Africa — everything you need to know is covered below.
Improved smartphone penetration, an increasingly digital customer experience, and an expanding agent network were the main drivers of the growth.
The financial services division of Airtel Africa expanded its reach in urban and rural areas by adding over 308,000 agents and 56,000 activating outlets, while non-exclusive agents increased by 27 per cent. Alongside the physical expansion, demand for Airtel Lite, the MyAirtel app, and the company’s presence on websites like WhatsApp has increased.
Interestingly, 48.5 per cent of Airtel Money’s customers currently use smartphones. According to the company, compared to feature phone users, smartphone users typically transact more frequently and generate higher average revenue per user (ARPU). As a result, total mobile-money revenue increased 30 per cent annually, while ARPU increased 11 per cent in constant currency.
Airtel Money’s annualised transaction value surpasses $193 billion
As it moves forward with plans for a public listing in the first half of 2026, Airtel Money has seen its annualised transaction value surpass $193 billion, a 35.9% year-over-year increase.
Along with M-Pesa and MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money is currently one of Africa’s top three mobile money providers, with transaction volumes close to $200 billion annually.
Airtel’s fintech division has become a significant rival to M-Pesa’s long-standing hegemony throughout the continent, especially in Kenya. Its market share increased from 2.8 per cent in 2023 to 9.1 per cent in 2025, while M-Pesa’s share decreased to about 90 per cent.
The only two companies with higher processed values than Airtel Money are MTN Mobile Money, which handled over $200 billion in 2024–2025, and M-Pesa, which handled roughly $450.8 billion as of 2025. By using its telecom backbone and financial inclusion strategy to take on regional leaders, Airtel has established itself as a pan-African fintech powerhouse.
Significant impact of Airtel Money on the overall performance of Airtel Africa
The robust growth of Airtel Money is significantly impacting Airtel Africa’s overall financial performance. In the half-year that concluded in September 2025, group revenue increased by 24.5 per cent in constant currency, and in the second quarter of 2026, EBITDA margins increased to 49 per cent.
“Our strategy has been focused on providing a superior customer experience, and the strength of these results is testament to the initiatives we’ve been implementing across the business,” Airtel CEO Sunil Taldar said.
“Airtel Money continues to gain momentum, with our customer base nearing 50 million and annualised total processed value approaching $200 billion, up over 35 per cent year-on-year. The preparation for the IPO remains on course for a listing in the first half of 2026.”
Additionally, as it speeds up network investments to support growing digital and financial inclusion, the company has increased its capital-expenditure guidance to between $875 million and $900 million for the current fiscal year.
Airtel Money’s 2026 public listing plans
The planned Airtel Money IPO is now taking shape. It was first floated in 2021 after investments of $200 million from TPG’s Rise Fund and $100 million from Mastercard. The company was worth about $2.65 billion when those early investments were made, but recent expansion has probably increased its value significantly.
According to internal estimates and analysts, Airtel Money could be valued at over $4 billion at the IPO, making it the most extensive fintech listing in Africa. To finance its growth in digital banking, lending, and merchant services, the company hopes to raise $2–3 billion.
For the listing, Airtel Africa has enlisted Citigroup as its lead adviser and is exploring venues in London, the United Arab Emirates, and other international exchanges.
The IPO strategy aims to establish Airtel Money as a stand-alone, publicly traded fintech leader by unlocking shareholder value and funding further innovation.
To prepare, Airtel Africa has been combining fintech activities into a single framework throughout its 14 markets. Airtel Money’s trajectory toward an annual processed transaction value of almost $200 billion is indicative of a notable increase in platform engagement and user adoption throughout Africa.