East Africa’s data consumption drives Airtel Africa’s mobile services revenue to $607 million

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reported that Airtel Africa’s East Africa Mobile Services revenue rose to $607 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared with $498 million in the same period a year earlier. The Kampala-datelined report said the growth was linked to rising mobile internet use and broader digital adoption across the region, even as voice services continued to bring in the largest share of mobile services income.

According to the report, Mobile Services revenue grew 21.9% in reported currency and 14.4% in constant currency. Airtel’s customer base in the region increased 9.3% to 86.5 million, while average revenue per user rose 5.3%. Voice revenue reached $285 million, growing 8.0% in constant currency, but data expanded faster: data revenue climbed to $269 million, up 22.5% in constant currency. The report attributed that performance to a 16.8% increase in data customers to 37.8 million, higher smartphone use and average monthly smartphone data consumption rising to 11.9GB from 8.8GB a year earlier.

The Independent also reported that Airtel Money revenue in East Africa increased 21.1% in constant currency to $247 million, reflecting wider use of digital financial services and mobile payments. Across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets, group revenue was reported at $1.85 billion, with 189 million customers, 87.3 million data customers and 56.5 million Airtel Money users. EBITDA rose to $895 million and profit after tax to $156 million.

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar, cited by the publisher, linked the performance to investment in customer experience and network infrastructure. The report also said the company views a proposed London Stock Exchange listing as a strategic step to widen its investor base and support long-term growth.