By Olakunle Oke
Airtel Africa’s mobile money arm, Airtel Money, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) in the first half of 2026, following an impressive financial performance in the first half of 2025.
The telecom giant, which operates in 14 African countries, announced that its fintech subsidiary had maintained strong growth momentum, driven by digital innovation and increased customer engagement.
According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, Airtel Money’s customer base is nearing 50 million, while its annualised total processed value has climbed to $200 billion, representing a 35 per cent year-on-year increase.
“The acceleration in customer growth and continued engagement on the platform reflects our success in driving digital adoption and innovation,” Taldar said in Airtel’s first-half 2025 financial statement. “The preparation for the IPO remains on course for a listing in the first half of 2026.”
The company also reported that its customer base rose 20 per cent year-on-year, reaching 49.8 million. Total processed value for the second quarter of 2025 exceeded $193 billion, underscoring higher transaction volumes and platform engagement.
Taldar added that Airtel Africa’s strategy focuses on enhancing customer experience and expanding digital and financial inclusion. He noted that smartphone penetration across the company’s markets had increased to 46.8 per cent, reflecting growing demand for mobile data and digital services.
The fintech arm’s growth has been boosted by digital innovation, particularly through the MyAirtel app, which simplifies the user experience and deepens customer engagement.
Launched in India in 2010, Airtel Money was inspired by the success of Kenya’s M-Pesa. The company said it remains committed to building a digital ecosystem that supports financial inclusion while positioning the fintech division for its forthcoming public listing in 2026.
