Airtel Africa reported higher second-quarter earnings as data and mobile money growth lifted sales and its customer base expanded to 193.9 million across 14 sub-Saharan African countries.
For the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2026, group profit after tax rose 15.9% to $254 million from $219 million a year earlier. Revenue reached $1.97 billion, increasing 25.7% in reported currency and 20.6% in constant currency, the company’s half-year results showed.
Operating profit reached $659 million, up 28.5% in reported currency and 20.6% in constant currency. Underlying EBITDA rose 29.4% in reported currency and 22.7% in constant currency to $993 million.
The underlying EBITDA margin was 50.4%, compared with 50.1% in the previous quarter and 49% a year earlier. Airtel Africa called the latest figure an all-time high. The company said higher fuel prices weighed on expenses, while operating discipline, efficiency work and scale helped lift the margin.
Data revenue reached $821 million, up 34.2% in reported currency and 28.7% in constant currency. Mobile money revenue totaled $437 million, an increase of 31.3% and 25.8% on those respective bases.
The overall customer base grew 11.6% year over year. Data customers increased 15% to 89.9 million, while mobile money customers climbed 22.4% to 60.9 million.
Net finance costs were $208 million, compared with $131 million a year earlier. Profit attributable to the company’s owners was $211 million, up 19.1% from $177 million; Airtel Africa reports that figure separately from group profit after tax.
The board set the half-year interim dividend at 3.1 cents a share, a 9.2% increase. Airtel Africa also returned $108.7 million to shareholders through its buyback during the period. Its financial calendar lists Jan. 29, 2027, for the next quarterly results.
