The six-month total reached $657 million, a 106.5% year-over-year increase, as Airtel Africa stepped up spending to expand network capacity and coverage.
The total compared with $318 million in the same period a year earlier. Mobile-services capital expenditure reached $614 million, up 115.1% from $285 million.
Separately, the company reported 193.9 million customers at Sept. 30, an 11.6% annual increase. Data customers numbered 89.9 million, up 15%, while monthly data use per smartphone customer averaged 13.3 GB, compared with 10.1 GB a year earlier. Data revenue reached $1.571 billion, rising 35.3% in reported currency and 28% in constant currency. Data generated 50% of mobile-services revenue, versus 46.5% in the year-earlier half.
Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 32.8% to $1.921 billion, and its margin increased to 50.3% from 48.5%. Net cash from operating activities was $1.759 billion, up 26.7%, while operating free cash flow rose 12% to $1.264 billion.
Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said, “During the period, we increased the pace of network investment to expand capacity and enhance service quality.” Airtel Africa said the network buildout was also meant to help develop businesses such as home broadband. The group has a presence across 14 sub-Saharan African markets.
Net debt totaled $5.870 billion at Sept. 30, compared with $5.512 billion a year earlier. Leverage, measured as net debt relative to underlying EBITDA, declined to 1.6 times from 2.1 times; the company said higher EBITDA was the main reason. Airtel Africa also cited higher fuel costs as inflationary pressure on its cost base, while cost-efficiency measures and scale benefits supported its margin.
The company’s financial calendar lists Jan. 29, 2027, for its next quarterly results.
