Airtel Africa PLC has announced its audited financial results for the year ended March 31, 2025, reporting a significant recovery that saw the group return to the green.

The company recorded a pre-tax profit of $661 million, a dramatic turnaround from the $63 million pre-tax loss reported in the 2024 financial year.

This resurgence was primarily fueled by a massive surge in data consumption and a more stable operating environment in Nigeria, its largest market, which helped mitigate the severe foreign exchange shocks that had previously eroded its earnings.

Data revenue has emerged as the group’s primary growth engine, growing by 30.5% in constant currency during the period.

This performance was driven by a 14.1% increase in the data customer base reaching 73.4 million subscribers and a 30.4% rise in average data usage per customer, which climbed to 7.0GB monthly.

In Nigeria specifically, the appetite for digital services was even more pronounced, with data revenue surging by 65.4% in constant currency as smartphone penetration in the country reached 54.1%.

While the group’s total revenue of $4.95 billion reflected a marginal 0.5% decline in reported currency due to the initial sharp devaluations of the Nigerian Naira, Malawi Kwacha, and Zambian Kwacha, its constant currency revenue actually grew by 21.1%.

The company’s focus on operational efficiency and a disciplined cost-reduction program also allowed its underlying EBITDA margin to recover, climbing to 47.3% by the final quarter of the year.

This was further supported by a 51.7% drop in net finance costs, which fell to $822 million as the impact of foreign exchange derivative losses began to fade.

Airtel Africa reinforces its dominant force on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), maintaining its status as the most valuable stock with a market capitalization of approximately N8.11 trillion.

The group’s financial health was also reflected in its cash generation, with net cash from operating activities reaching $2.27 billion.

Commenting, Airtel Africa Chief Executive Sunil Taldar noted that the results highlight the success of the group’s device-centric strategy and infrastructure investments, as the firm continues to prioritize digital and financial inclusion across its 14 operating markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.