By Bamidele Famoofo
WorldStage– Airtel Africa Plc, second largest telco in Africa’s most populous nation, delivered a robust financial performance in its 2026 financial year, demonstrating notable operational efficiency.
Gross earnings grew by 29.47 percent year-on-year to $6.41 billion, from $4.95 billion recorded in FY 2025, largely driven by a substantial increase in data revenue. In addition, other income rose by 22.73 percent to $27 million, compared with $22 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. Consequently, total income increased significantly by 29.44 percent to $6.44 billion from $4.97 billion, reflecting stronger margins and improved operational performance.
This growth was primarily supported by robust expansion in data and mobile money services, relative currency stability, particularly the appreciation of the Nigerian naira in Q3, as well as reduced foreign exchange losses compared to the previous year.
At the bottom line, profitability strengthened considerably. Earnings before tax (EBT) surged by 45.16% to $2.12 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) more than doubled, rising by 147.52 percent to $813 million from $328 million in FY 2025. The strong earnings performance reflects improved earnings conversion and effective cost optimization, translating into significant value accretion for shareholders.
Accordingly, earnings per share (EPS) advanced by 210.00 percent to 18.60 cents, from 6.00 cents recorded in the same period last year. Profitability metrics also improved markedly, with Return on Equity (ROE) increasing to 5.82 percent from 2.73 percent, while Return on Assets (ROA) rose to 23.31 percent from 11.82 percent, highlighting more efficient utilization of the company’s capital base and asset portfolio.
On the balance sheet, total assets expanded by 16.14 percent to $13.96 billion from $12.02 billion, supported by prudent working capital management and a leaner operational structure. Total liabilities, however, moderated relative to asset growth, standing at $10.48 billion compared to $9.25 billion in the prior year.
Meanwhile, shareholders’ equity strengthened by 25.69 percent to $3.49 billion from $2.78 billion, reinforcing the company’s solid capital position.
