Abayomi Susan
Airtel Africa Plc, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, has recorded significant progress in its sustainability efforts, saving 9.1 million litres of diesel during the 2025/2026 financial year as part of measures to reduce environmental impact and promote responsible business growth.
The achievement was driven by the company’s continued efforts to reduce dependence on diesel-powered operations and increase the use of lower-carbon energy alternatives. During the period under review, Airtel Africa converted 390 infrastructure sites to on-grid power, improving operational efficiency while reducing emissions.
Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, disclosed the development during a media roundtable in Lusaka, Zambia, where he presented the company’s Sustainability Scorecard and highlighted progress towards building a more connected, inclusive and sustainable Africa.
Beyond energy efficiency, the company also advanced its environmental sustainability goals through circular economy initiatives, recycling 94 per cent of total waste generated during the year.
According to Taldar, responsible growth remains a core pillar of Airtel Africa’s business strategy, as the company continues to expand access to digital services while balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility and social impact.
He noted that Airtel Africa’s network coverage has expanded to reach 81.9 per cent of the population across its markets, providing millions of people with improved access to connectivity, information, education and economic opportunities.
The company also recorded major milestones in financial inclusion through its Airtel Money platform, which now serves 54.1 million customers across the continent through a network of 2.4 million agents.
Notably, women account for 44.1 per cent of Airtel Money users, reflecting the platform’s growing contribution to empowering women through access to secure, affordable and convenient financial services.
Through the Airtel Africa Foundation, the company continued to support community development initiatives, investing $6.2 million in programmes focused on four key areas: financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.
As part of its partnership with UNICEF, Airtel Africa connected 3,296 schools to free internet services, helping to bridge the digital divide and expand access to quality education for more than two million learners and 38,868 teachers.
The company also supported access to digital learning through 64 zero-rated educational platforms, enabling over 11 million learners to benefit from free digital education content.
In addition, more than 30,000 young people received digital skills training during the year, while over 250 undergraduate STEM scholarships were awarded through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship programme, aimed at developing future African technology leaders and innovators.
Airtel Africa reaffirmed its commitment to driving sustainable growth by investing in solutions that improve connectivity, promote financial inclusion and create long-term value for communities across the continent.
