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Airtel Africa Plc
May 8, 2026 at 6:27 AM UTC
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Airtel Africa: Press release FY 2026

Airtel Africa plc Results for year ended 31 March 2026

8 May 2026

A year of standout growth powered by strong fundamentals and disciplined execution

Operating highlights
  • Through our sustained commitment to enhancing the customer experience, backed by continued investment in our network and the integration of digitisation across the business, we delivered a very strong performance. Our customer base increased by 10.5% to 183.5 million, marking the highest net additions to date. Data customers grew by 14.8% to 84.2 million as smartphone penetration rose another 4.7% to 49.5%. Data demand remains robust with data usage per customer increasing to 8.9 GB per month from 7.0 GB in the prior period, underpinning constant currency1 growth of 16.2% in data ARPUs, reflecting the strength of our digital focus and customer first approach.

  • Airtel Money continued to scale and deepen engagement, with an expanded customer base of 54.1 million, up by 21.3% year-on-year. Broader use cases and higher adoption across the digital platform drove 49% growth in annualised total processed value (TPV) to over $215bn in reported currency in Q4'26. This ongoing ecosystem expansion and increased customer activity supported an 8.6% uplift in constant-currency ARPU, underscoring Airtel Money's growing role as a trusted digital financial services platform.

    Financial performance
  • We achieved a strong 24.0% growth in constant currency revenues in FY'26, with reported currency revenues increasing by 29.5% to $6,415m, reflecting attractive industry fundamentals and focused operational execution, further supported by tariff adjustments in Nigeria and macroeconomic tailwinds. Francophone Africa and Nigeria constant currency growth was particularly encouraging, increasing by 17.1% and 47.5% respectively. In constant currency, the mobile services segment grew by 22.6%, with data revenues - now the largest component of Group revenues - increasing by 35.2%, while mobile money continues to see strong operating momentum, up by 28.4%. In Q4'26, constant currency revenues grew by 22.3% as Nigerian tariff benefits partially lapped during the quarter.

  • The strong revenue performance and continued benefits from our cost efficiency programme resulted in underlying EBITDA2 margins of 49.3%, with all-time high margins of 50.3% in Q4'26 (Q4'25: 47.3%). Underlying EBITDA of

    $3,162m grew by 37.2% in reported currency and 30.4% in constant currency.

  • Profit after tax of $813m improved from $328m in the prior period. Higher profit after tax in the current period was driven by higher operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains of $127m compared to $179m derivative and foreign exchange losses in the prior period.

  • Basic EPS of 18.6 cents compares to 6.0 cents in the prior period, predominantly reflecting the growth in operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains in the current period, compared to losses in the prior period. EPS before exceptional items was driven by the same underlying factors, increasing from 8.2 cents to 18.6 cents.

    Capital allocation
  • Capex for the year increased by 31.9% to $884m, in line with our revised guidance. During the year, we rolled out 3,250+ new sites and expanded our fibre network by approximately 3,200 kms to 81,900 kms, strengthening network reach and resilience while supporting improved service quality. Capex guidance for FY'27 is approximately $1.1bn, reflecting accelerated investment to expand coverage and capacity, while also investing in home broadband (HBB) and data centres, as we reinforce our strategy to scale digital infrastructure to meet rising demand.

  • Leverage has improved from 2.3x to 1.8x, with lease-adjusted leverage also improving to 0.5x from 1.0x in the previous year, primarily driven by the improvement in underlying EBITDA.

  • The Board has recommended a final dividend of 4.26 cents per share, making the total dividend for the full year 7.1 cents per share, a 9.2% growth from the previous year, in line with our dividend policy.

‌Unless otherwise stated, all growth rates represent YoY growth for the year ended 31 March 2026

1 An explanation of constant currency growth is provided on page 52

‌2 'Underlying EBITDA' adjusts for an operating exceptional item recognised in the prior period.

Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer, on the trading update:

"This year delivered a very strong performance across both operating and financial metrics, reflecting the attractive industry fundamentals and structural growth drivers across our footprint. This backdrop, and the continued success of our strategy contributed to our highest level of customer additions, revenue and EBITDA growth. Adoption of new digital technologies and AI has been pivotal in unlocking growth opportunities and driving efficiencies, with wide-ranging rollouts enhancing customer experience through site-level network optimisation, streamlined onboarding and accelerating the rollout of myAirtel app, a single-touchpoint customer interface designed to streamline service adoption and deliver a more intuitive digital journey. This focused strategy has contributed to a further 22% increase in smartphone customers to 91 million, driving an almost 50% increase in data traffic and, together with another strong Airtel Money performance, supported a step-up in constant-currency revenue growth to 24.0%.

Airtel Money has made strong progress across digital adoption, ecosystem expansion and product innovation this year. Customer engagement continues to deepen, with app transacting customers up 74% and annualised TPV of over $215bn in Q4'26. Market conditions following recent geopolitical developments have affected the anticipated timing of the Airtel Money IPO. We have made good progress and remain committed to the listing as market conditions allow, with the intention of undertaking the IPO in the second half of 2026.

Our ongoing cost efficiency programme and strong top-line performance both contributed to underlying EBITDA margins of 49.3%, peaking at 50.3% in Q4'26. The recent increase in energy costs arising from the ongoing geopolitical events will likely lead to increased cost inflation, resulting in EBITDA margin pressure in the near-term. However, with a strong growth outlook, and an enhanced focus on cost efficiencies, we will look to limit the overall impact on our business.

Our accelerated investment strategy remains focused on maximising value from our core growth businesses, while investing in new and fast-growing areas, including enterprise, that will further advance both digital and financial inclusion and help transform communities across our footprint. I want to say a particular thank-you to our customers, governments, regulators and partners for their support and our employees for their ongoing contribution to our continued successes."

GAAP measures

(Year ended)

Description

Mar-26

$m

Mar-25

$m

Reported currency

change

Revenue

6,415

4,955

29.5%

Operating profit

2,115

1,457

45.1%

Profit after tax

813

328

147.4%

Basic EPS ($ cents)

18.6

6.0

212.2%

Net cash generated from operating activities

3,195

2,266

41.0%

Alternative performance measures (APM)3

(Year ended)

Description

Mar-26

$m

Mar-25

$m

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Revenue

6,415

4,955

29.5%

24.0%

Underlying EBITDA

3,162

2,304

37.2%

30.4%

Underlying EBITDA margin

49.3%

46.5%

280 bps

240 bps

EPS before exceptional items ($ cents)

18.6

8.2

127.7%

Operating free cash flow

2,278

1,634

39.4%

‌The reported currency growth rates incorporate currency movements during the respective period, which are not necessarily indicative of future growth rates. For currency sensitivity refer to page 20.

3 Alternative performance measures (APM) are described on page 50.

About Airtel Africa

Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with operations in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Airtel Africa provides an integrated offer to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.

The company's strategy is focused on providing a great customer experience across the entire footprint, enabling our corporate purpose of transforming lives across Africa.

Enquiries

Airtel Africa - investor relations

Alastair Jones

+44 7464 830 011

[email protected]

+44 207 493 9315

Hudson Sandler

Nick Lyon Nelly Apaka

[email protected]

+44 207 796 4133

Conference call

Management will host an analyst and investor conference call at 13:00pm UK time (GMT) on Friday 8 May 2026, including a 'Question-and-Answer' session.

To receive an invitation with the dial in numbers to participate in the event, please register beforehand using the following link:

Conference call registration link

Key consolidated financial information

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency change %

Constant currency change %

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency change %

Constant currency change %

Profit and loss summary

Revenue 1

$m

6,415

4,955

29.5%

24.0%

1,748

1,317

32.7%

22.3%

Voice revenue

$m

2,318

1,964

18.0%

12.8%

613

508

20.6%

10.9%

Data revenue

$m

2,530

1,804

40.3%

35.2%

705

498

41.5%

31.8%

Mobile money revenue 2

$m

1,355

994

36.3%

28.4%

369

263

40.2%

25.7%

Other revenue

$m

480

417

15.2%

12.0%

131

108

20.4%

13.5%

Expenses

$m

(3,280)

(2,673)

22.7%

18.4%

(873)

(699)

24.9%

16.9%

Underlying EBITDA 3

$m

3,162

2,304

37.2%

30.4%

879

623

41.0%

27.8%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

49.3%

46.5%

280 bps

240 bps

50.3%

47.3%

295 bps

214 bps

Depreciation and amortisation

$m

(1,047)

(831)

26.1%

21.7%

(290)

(231)

25.9%

18.0%

Operating exceptional items 4

$m

-

(16)

-

(16)

Operating profit

$m

2,115

1,457

45.1%

36.8%

589

376

56.6%

39.4%

Other finance cost - net of

finance income 5

$m

(713)

(735)

(3.1%)

(207)

(221)

(6.5%)

Finance cost - exceptional items 6

$m

-

(87)

-

-

Total finance cost

$m

(713)

(822)

(13.3%)

(207)

(221)

(6.5%)

Net monetary gain relating to

hyperinflationary accounting

$m

17

26

(36.1%)

15

12

19.0%

Profit before tax

$m

1,419

661

114.5%

396

167

136.9%

Tax

$m

(606)

(363)

67.1%

(169)

(87)

95.0%

Tax - exceptional items 6

$m

-

30

-

-

Total tax charge

$m

(606)

(333)

82.0%

(169)

(87)

95.0%

Profit after tax

$m

813

328

147.4%

227

80

183.3%

Non-controlling interest

$m

(134)

(108)

24.5%

(28)

(24)

20.1%

Profit attributable to owners of

the company - before exceptional items

$m

679

302

124.4%

199

72

174.5%

Profit attributable to owners of

the company

$m

679

220

207.7%

199

56

253.6%

EPS - before exceptional items

cents

18.6

8.2

127.7%

5.5

2.0

176.4%

Basic EPS

cents

18.6

6.0

212.2%

5.5

1.5

256.2%

Weighted average number of

shares

million

3,650

3,703

(1.4%)

3,645

3,672

(0.7%)

Capex

$m

884

670

31.9%

281

214

31.3%

Operating free cash flow

$m

2,278

1,634

39.4%

598

409

46.1%

Net cash generated from operating

activities

$m

3,195

2,266

41.0%

889

643

38.1%

Net debt

$m

5,590

5,363

5,590

5,363

Leverage (net debt to underlying

EBITDA)

times

1.8x

2.3x

1.8x

2.3x

Lease-adjusted leverage

times

0.5x

1.0x

0.5x

1.0x

Return on capital employed

%

23.1%

19.6%

355 bps

23.1%

19.4%

376 bps

Operating KPIs

ARPU

$

3.1

2.6

17.8%

12.8%

3.2

2.7

20.6%

11.1%

Total customer base

million

183.5

166.1

10.5%

183.5

166.1

10.5%

Data customer base

million

84.2

73.4

14.8%

84.2

73.4

14.8%

Mobile money customer base

million

54.1

44.6

21.3%

54.1

44.6

21.3%

All commentary in the footnotes refers to the year ended 31 March 2026 and the prior period (31 March 2025) unless otherwise stated.

(1) Revenue includes inter-segment eliminations of $268m and $224m for the prior period.

(2) Mobile money revenue post inter-segment eliminations with mobile services were $1,087m and $770m for the prior period.

(3) Underlying EBITDA includes other income of $27m and $22m for the prior period.

(4) Operating exceptional items of $16m in the prior period relates to a provision for settlement of a legal dispute in a former Group subsidiary.

(5) Other finance cost: net of finance income includes derivative and foreign exchange gains of $127m in the current period and losses of $92m in the prior period which has not been treated as exceptional items.

(6) Exceptional items in the prior period of $87m relate to derivative and foreign exchange losses due to the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in Q1'25 and Q2'25, partially offset by exceptional derivative and foreign exchange gains in Q3'25 due to Nigerian naira and Tanzanian shilling appreciation, which resulted in an exceptional tax gain of $30m.

Financial review for the year ended 31 March 2026

Revenue

Group revenue in reported currency increased by 29.5% to $6,415m, with constant currency growth of 24.0%. Reported currency revenue growth was higher than constant currency growth reflecting currency appreciation across most markets. In Q4'26, constant currency revenue growth of 22.3% was lower than the previous quarter (Q3'26) as we lapped the impact of the Nigeria tariff adjustments implemented during Q4'25. FY'26 constant currency revenue growth was driven by Nigerian revenue growth of 47.5%, East Africa growth of 17.8% and a strong performance in Francophone Africa, which saw revenue growth accelerate to 17.1% in the current financial year compared to 9.5% reported in 2024/25.

Mobile services revenue of $5,350m increased by 27.6% in reported currency and by 22.6% in constant currency. Constant currency growth was led by voice revenue growth of 12.8% and data revenue growth of 35.2%. Mobile money revenues grew by 36.3% in reported currency and by 28.4% in constant currency, driven by strong growth in East Africa and Francophone Africa.

Francophone Africa reported currency revenue growth was 21.5% - higher than constant currency revenue growth of 17.1%, primarily due to CFA appreciation. In East Africa, reported currency revenue grew by 24.0% which is also higher as compared to 17.8% constant currency growth due to appreciation in Zambian kwacha, Ugandan shilling and Tanzanian shilling. In Nigeria, reported currency revenues grew by 52.9%, and by 47.5% in constant currency. In Q4'26, the Nigerian naira appreciated significantly from a weighted average NGN/USD rate of 1,529 in Q4'25 to NGN/USD 1,386, resulting in Nigeria revenues growing by 54.8% in reported currency and by 40.3% in constant currency.

Underlying EBITDA4

Reported currency underlying EBITDA grew by 37.2% to $3,162m, while in constant currency underlying EBITDA increased by 30.4%. Reflecting a more favourable operating environment and the continued success of our cost efficiency programme, underlying EBITDA margins have increased by 280 bps in the current period to reach 49.3%. In Q4'26 underlying EBITDA margins expanded further, crossing the 50% mark and reaching 50.3%, an increase of 295 bps.

Mobile services underlying EBITDA increased by 30.8% in constant currency with underlying EBITDA margins of 48.8%, an increase of 327 bps. Mobile money underlying EBITDA margins of 50.8% declined by 196 bps in reported currency, primarily due to the renegotiation of intra-group agreements that were disclosed in our H1'26 results, which had no impact on the consolidated Group's margin.

Operating profit

Operating profit in reported currency increased by 45.1% to $2,115m, largely driven by underlying EBITDA growth of 37.2% in reported currency.

Finance costs

Total finance costs for the year ended 31 March 2026 were $713m, compared to $822m in the prior period. Prior period finance costs were impacted by $179m of derivative and foreign exchange losses (reflecting the revaluation of US dollar balance sheet liabilities and derivatives following currency devaluations), of which $87m was classified as an exceptional item. For the year ended 31 March 2026, finance costs included $127m of derivative and foreign exchange gains largely on account of naira appreciation. As a result, finance costs, excluding derivative and foreign exchange gains/(losses), increased from $643m in the prior period to $840m in the current period, primarily reflecting the full-year impact of interest on lease liabilities following the tower contract renewals in September 2024 (which had a neutral to positive impact on cashflows).

The Group ended the current financial year with a weighted average interest rate of 10.6%, which has decreased by 240 bps from 13.0% in the prior period.

Exceptional items

Finance cost - exceptional items of $87m in the prior period was related to $231m derivative and foreign exchange losses following the devaluation of the Nigerian naira in H1'25, partially offset by derivative and foreign exchange gains of

$144m in Q3'25 on account of Nigerian naira and Tanzanian shilling appreciation. These losses resulted in an exceptional tax gain of $30m. There were no exceptional items in the current period.

‌4 Alternative performance measures (APM) are described on page 50.

Profit before tax

Profit before tax was $1,419m for the year ended 31 March 2026 as compared to $661m in the prior period. Higher profit before tax in the current period as compared to the prior period was on account of higher operating profit and derivative and foreign exchange gains of $127m in the current period as compared to $179m derivative and foreign exchange losses in the prior period.

Taxation

Total tax charges were $606m as compared to $333m in the prior period. Total tax charges in the prior period reflected an exceptional gain of $30m, arising from the exceptional derivative and foreign exchange losses. Excluding exceptional items, tax charges increased by $243m which was largely driven by the higher profit before tax in the current period and withholding taxes on dividends paid by subsidiaries.

The effective tax rate was 40.1% compared to 41.0% in the previous financial year.

The effective tax rate is higher than the weighted average statutory corporate tax rate of approximately 32%, largely due to the profit mix between various OpCos and withholding taxes on dividends paid by subsidiaries.

Profit after tax

Profit after tax was $813m during the year ended 31 March 2026 as compared to $328m in the prior period.

Earnings per share (EPS)

Basic EPS of 18.6 cents compares to 6.0 cents in the prior period, predominantly reflecting higher operating profits and derivative and foreign exchange gains in the current period compared to derivative and foreign exchange losses in the prior period.

EPS before exceptional items5 also increased from 8.2 cents in the prior period to 18.6 cents as higher operating profits due to strong revenue growth and margin expansion, as well as derivative and foreign exchange gains due to currency appreciation in the current period, more than offset the impact of higher finance costs arising on account of tower contract renewals, which had a neutral to positive impact on cashflows.

EPS before exceptional items and derivative and foreign exchange gains/(losses) increased from 9.8 cents in the prior period to 16.2 cents in the current period.

Net cash generated from operating activities

Net cash generated from operating activities was $3,195m, which is 41.0% higher compared to $2,266m in the prior period, primarily reflecting strong operating performance with underlying EBITDA growth of 37.2% in reported currency.

Operating free cash flow

Operating free cash flow was $2,278m, up by 39.4%, as a result of higher underlying EBITDA during the current period.

Leverage

Lease-adjusted leverage improved to 0.5x (from 1.0x) and leverage to 1.8x (from 2.3x), primarily driven by the improvement in underlying EBITDA.

‌5 Alternative performance measures (APM) are described on page 50.

Other significant updates

Update on share buyback programme

On 23 December 2024, Airtel Africa plc (or the 'company') announced the commencement of a second share buyback programme that will return up to $100m to shareholders. This programme was phased in two tranches. The company completed the first tranche on 24 April 2025, returning $45m to shareholders following the purchase of 26.3 million ordinary shares. The second tranche ($55m) of the buyback programme was completed on 24 March 2026 following the purchase of a further 18.7 million shares. In aggregate, the company returned $100m to the shareholders as part of second share buyback programme by purchasing 45 million shares.

Conclusion of audit tender process

On 3 December 2025, Airtel Africa plc announced that it has commenced a formal, independent competitive tender process for the role of external auditor, overseen by the Audit and Risk Committee. On 10 March 2026, Airtel Africa plc announced that following the conclusion of the tender process, it intends to appoint Ernst & Young LLP as external auditor for the financial year ending 31 March 2028 onwards. The appointment will be subject to shareholder approval at Airtel Africa's 2027 Annual General Meeting.

Deloitte will continue as the Group's external auditor for the financial years ending 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2027, with the latter appointment subject to shareholder approval.

Directorate changes

On 25 March 2026, Sunil Bharti Mittal has informed the Board of his intention to retire as Chair of the Board at the conclusion of this year's AGM in July 2026. Following his retirement, the Board has announced that Gopal Vittal will be appointed Non-Executive Chair of the Board with effect from the same date. Mr. Vittal's appointment is by nomination of the controlling shareholder pursuant to the terms of the relationship agreement dated 17 June 2019 between the Company, Bharti Airtel, Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited, the majority shareholder and an indirect subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, and Bharti Telecom. He was appointed a non-executive director of Airtel Africa in October 2024. Furthermore, Shravin Bharti Mittal will assume the role of Deputy Chair with effect from the same date.

On 25 March 2026, the company announced that as part of the ongoing succession planning in respect of the Company's Non-Executive Directors, Annika Poutiainen will also retire at the conclusion of the July AGM, at which point she will have served for over seven years.

On 11 November 2025, the company announced that Andrew Green had informed the Board of his intention to retire as Senior independent non-executive director following the conclusion of the Q3'26 Board meeting. Upon Andrew's retirement, Tsega Gebreyes, who currently chairs the Remuneration Committee and serves on the Nomination committee, was appointed as Senior independent non-executive director. She will continue to be a member of the Remuneration committee while Cynthia Gordon will succeed Tsega as chair of the Remuneration committee and will join the Nominations committee. Cynthia Gordon was previously serving on the Group's Remuneration Committee following her appointment as an independent non-executive director on 1 April 2025.

Following the conclusion of AGM on 9 July 2025, Jaideep Paul, chief financial officer (CFO) retired from his position as executive director and CFO. Kamal Dua became an executive director and assumed the role of CFO following his appointment at the 2025 AGM.

On 9 July 2025, Akhil Gupta retired as a non-executive director of Airtel Africa plc in accordance with the announcement made on 13 May 2025.

Partnership with SpaceX to launch Starlink Direct-to-Cell connectivity

On 16 December 2025, Airtel Africa plc (or the 'company') announced its partnership with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 markets, serving those customers with compatible handsets. This service will enable data for certain apps and text messaging in areas without terrestrial coverage, with future upgrades delivering high-speed connectivity via next-generation satellites. Airtel Africa becomes the first mobile operator in Africa to partner with SpaceX for Direct-to-Cell connectivity, reinforcing its commitment to bridging the digital divide and expanding connectivity across the continent. The rollout will proceed in line with country-specific regulatory approvals.

Furthermore, in May 2025, the company announced a collaboration with SpaceX to bring next generation satellite connectivity offerings and augment connectivity for enterprises, businesses and socio-economic communities like schools and health centres in some of the most rural parts of Africa.

Directorate declaration

The company announced that Sunil Bharti Mittal, chair, and Gopal Vittal, non-executive director of Airtel Africa plc, were appointed as non-independent non-executive directors of BT Group plc with effect from 15 September 2025.

Network infrastructure agreement with Vodacom

In August 2025, the company announced a strategic infrastructure sharing agreement with Vodacom Group in key markets, including Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (the DRC) along with access to international bandwidth infrastructure in Mozambique, subject to regulatory approvals in the various countries. The agreement marks a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa and will initially focus on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure to accelerate the rollout of digital services in these markets.

The announcement follows the announcement in March 2025 when Airtel Africa and MTN announced network infrastructure sharing agreements in Uganda and Nigeria.

Update on Airtel Money shareholder put option

On 1 August 2025, the company announced that it and its affiliates have agreed with The Rise Fund, the impact investment platform of TPG and Mastercard, both minority shareholders in Airtel Mobile Commerce B.V. ('Airtel Money), to defer the exercisable date of their put options under their respective agreements by 12 months.

Migration of customers to advanced system verification platform in Nigeria

In May 2025, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) directed Airtel Nigeria and other operators to transfer all verified unique subscriber records in the SIM registration database from the existing NIN token system to a more advanced and secure platform, the High Availability NIMC Verification Service (HA-NVS). The initial cut-off date for transfer was 27 May 2025 which was subsequently extended multiple times to address the critical outstanding issues with respect to the transfer.

Subsequently, the existing NIN token platform was shut down on 26 June 2025 and on 3 July 2025, the NCC released the framework required for HA-NVS integration.

Dividend payment timetable

The board has recommended a final dividend of 4.26 cents for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, payable on 24 July 2026 to shareholders recorded in the register at the close of business on 19 June 2026.

London Stock Exchange

Nigerian Stock Exchange

Last day to trade shares cum dividend

17 June 2026

17 June 2026

Shares commence trading ex-dividend

18 June 2026

18 June 2026

Record date (NGX settlement date)

19 June 2026

19 June 2026

Last date for currency election

6 July 2026

6 July 2026

Payment date

24 July 2026

24 July 2026

Information on additional KPIs

An investor relations pack with information on the additional KPIs and balance sheet is available to download on our website at https://www.airtel.africa

Strategic overview

The Group provides telecom and mobile money services in 14 emerging markets of sub-Saharan Africa. Our markets are characterised by a young and rapidly growing population, low smartphone penetration and a large unbanked population. Unique mobile user penetration across the Group's footprint is around 50% and banking penetration remains under 50%. These indicators illustrate the significant opportunity still available to us to enhance both digital and financial inclusion in the communities we serve, enriching and transforming their lives through digitalisation, while at the same time, growing our revenues profitably across each of our key services of voice, data and mobile money.

The Group continues to invest in its network and distribution infrastructure to enhance both mobile connectivity and financial inclusion across our OpCos. We continue to invest in expanding our 4G and 5G network to increase data capacity, deploy new sites, especially in rural areas, thereby enhancing coverage and connectivity.

Our strategy puts our customers at the core of our strategy. We believe that by ensuring great customer experience, we continue to deliver on our corporate purpose of transforming lives across Africa. Our consumer centric strategy is anchored on our six strategic pillars: strengthening our 'go-to-market', delivering best in class network experience, winning more in key markets, digitising and simplifying processes across the business, accelerating Airtel Money and scaling our home broadband business (HBB) and enterprise offerings.

Underpinning the Group's business strategy is our focus on cost optimisation, our sustainability strategy and the ongoing investment into our people to build and retain talent. Our sustainability strategy supports our well-established corporate purpose of transforming lives, our continued commitment to driving sustainable development and acting as a responsible business. Our sustainability strategy supports our goals and commitments to foster financial inclusion, bridge the digital divide and serve more customers in some of the least penetrated telecoms markets in the world.

Strengthen 'Go-to-market'

We continue to strengthen our distribution footprint, especially our exclusive channels of kiosks/mini-shops and Airtel Money branches (AMB) along with multi-brand outlets in both urban and rural areas. During the year, the Group added over 660,000 Airtel Money agents and 130,000 activating outlets with emphasis on building a robust distribution network in towns and villages with new coverage investments, enabling continued expansion of our customer base and strong growth in overall revenues.

In addition to building on-ground distribution infrastructure, we also focused on building and leveraging digital tools to simplify the processes and enhance efficiencies for our own sales team members as well as our channel partners.

We continue to accelerate our data revenue growth through a combination of smartphone adoption and improving ARPUs. Our smartphone penetration stands at 49.5%, an increase of 4.7% from last year, driven by our expansion of the 4G/5G network and strong execution. In Q4'26, our data consumption has increased to 9.8 GB per data user, growing 37% year-over-year, driven by improved network experience and customer lifecycle management programmes. We continue to focus on improving our network reach through our new strategic partnership with Starlink where we will provide coverage in existing unconnected rural areas, further stepping up our network experience.

Brilliant network experience

The Group remains focused on delivering best-in-class services, enhancing our 4G network availability, along with expanding newly launched 5G technology in key markets, such as Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Malawi. Reaching underserved communities is a key priority and we continue to expand rural coverage through new site rollouts and investing in spectrum and technologies to support increased capacity to facilitate our corporate purpose of transforming lives.

We've rolled out more than 3,250 infrastructure sites during the year and over 3,600 4G sites: 98.5% of our sites are now 4G-enabled and we have more than 3,100 5G operational sites in six markets.

As part of ensuring our services are future ready, in addition to purchasing spectrum, we grew our fibre infrastructure and 5G capabilities while remaining committed to our investment into data centres to further support digital inclusion across our markets. We continued to strengthen our fibre business which is delivering encouraging revenue growth. During the year, we added a further approximately 3,200 km of fibre, with a total of 81,900 km now deployed.

Must win markets

Winning customers across all our markets through micro-marketing using network and digital tools is fundamental to our strategy and continues to enable us to drive both financial and digital inclusion. We aim to win in every micro-segment by optimising our network to improve customer experience or strengthen our distribution where our network is already strong, so that we can acquire new customers with speed and precision. There are clusters of opportunities which have been identified across all OpCos which have been called out as 'must win markets'. To ensure that we win across all 'must win markets' we stepped up investment on building people capabilities and driving a culture of collaborative working across functions.

In the broader urban areas, including smaller towns and emerging suburban peripheries, some micro-marketing actions include improving indoor coverage, network quality and delivering a seamless customer experience by enhancing our network through principles of community of interest. We are enhancing our in-store experience and increasing our own store footprint, while strengthening 5G coverage in these markets to cater for rising home broadband (HBB) demand. This will allow us to strengthen our position as a reliable network provider, attract new customers and lower churn.

Rural markets present a big growth opportunity to us, given the low penetration of both telecoms and financial services. To tap the opportunity, our focus remain on improving coverage and distribution expansion across all markets. With intensified network investment and focus on distribution excellence, we are confident that rural markets will contribute to a significant portion of our overall customer additions going forward.

Digitise and simplify

Digitisation remains a core strategic priority, anchored on expanding digital adoption, simplifying customer journeys, and driving operational efficiency at scale. Over FY'26, we continued to execute against this agenda, strengthening our digital platforms as primary engagement channels for both mobile services and Airtel Money services.

MyAirtel app continues to serve as the cornerstone of our single-app strategy, delivering a unified experience across both the telecom and Airtel Money segments. During FY'26, digitally engaged users grew by 55% year-on-year, while transacting users increased by 74% year-on-year, reflecting strong customer migration to digital self-service and improving frequency of use. Customers are increasingly engaging across multiple use cases within a single journey, with seamless cross-usage between telecoms and Airtel Money services enabling more convenient and integrated experiences.

Digital channels have also continued to scale as a significant transactional platform. TPV on our app grew by 79% year-on-year to reach $8.3 billion in FY'26, compared to $4.6 billion in FY'25, underscoring the growing role of digital channels in driving high-volume, high-frequency customer interactions across the Group.

To further expand reach and engagement, WhatsApp has been launched as an additional digital channel for customer interaction and service delivery. Through our digital platforms, customers are able to perform a wide range of everyday use cases, including peer-to-peer transfers, bill payments, international and merchant payments as well as convenient recharges across multiple mobile lines and HBB services, including off-net users. These experiences are further enhanced through multi-language support, including English, Swahili and French, helping us serve our diverse customer base across multiple markets.

Alongside customer-facing growth, we've continued to make progress in simplifying and digitising operations. Automation of key journeys, including HBB self-service and wallet PIN management, has reduced friction and improved service efficiency. Investments in data and analytics are enabling automated lifecycle management, more targeted engagement and continuous optimisation of digital journeys.

Digital has also become a material productivity and efficiency lever. Through integrated marketing, shared platforms and a build-once/deploy-many approach to feature development, we're accelerating time-to-market while reducing duplication across operating companies. These efficiencies support sustainable growth while maintaining disciplined cost management.

Overall, our progress in FY'26 reflects the continued evolution of Airtel Africa into a digital-first, scalable organisation, with digital channels playing a central role in enhancing customer experience, driving transactional scale and supporting operational excellence across our markets.

Accelerate Airtel Money

Limited access to formal financial services, constrained banking infrastructure and continued reliance on cash across our markets present a significant opportunity to accelerate financial inclusion. Airtel Money is addressing this through a digital-first, mobile-led platform. Our focus remains on scaling digital adoption, expanding our ecosystem, including merchant payments, and strengthening access across our markets.

  • Digital adoption: Our digital-first strategy continues to drive product innovation and customer engagement. Enhancements to MyAirtel app and a strong focus on self-service have improved customer experience and engagement. In March 2026, Airtel Money's smartphone penetration increased to 51%+ from 48% last year, supporting higher activity and improved unit economics. MyAirtel app adoption continues to scale, with app transacting customers increasing by 74% year-on-year, reflecting strong traction in digital journeys. Customers migrating from feature phones to smartphones consistently deliver materially higher ARPU, reinforcing our transition into a scaled digital financial services platform.

  • Ecosystem expansion: We continue to deepen our ecosystem by scaling key use cases across payments, including digital lending, savings, merchant payments and card-linked solutions, while expanding international money transfer corridors and strengthening strategic partnerships. Adoption across these services remains strong, reflecting clear product/market fit. Merchant payments remain a key growth pillar, enabling businesses to accept digital payments and accelerating the transition from cash. Multi-service users deliver significantly higher ARPU compared to single-service customers, underscoring the value of deeper ecosystem engagement.

  • Access and distribution: Our extensive retail footprint, comprising 49,000 exclusive outlets, continues to enhance market reach and service delivery. Continued investments in distribution, alongside a streamlined digital agent onboarding process, have driven a 39% increase in our non-exclusive agent base, further strengthening last-mile access.

These initiatives contributed to a 21.3% growth in our mobile money customer base, crossing 54 million users, alongside continued strong growth in constant currency revenues. Mobile money remains a key growth engine for the Group, delivering sustained revenue momentum. We remain committed to building Africa's most accessible, inclusive and scalable digital financial services platform, driving meaningful impact and long-term value for our customers and stakeholders.

Scale home broadband (HBB) and enterprise

We are unlocking significant growth opportunities by scaling HBB and enterprise services by strengthening our 5G and fibre networks to deliver reliable, resilient connectivity. The demand for this high-speed connectivity and digital services remains strong with the HBB customer base growing by 86%, with an average per customer consumption of 195 GB per month across our footprint. We've invested extensively in ensuring customers have a seamless onboarding to the home broadband service with MyAirtel app, driving an improved customer convenience, particularly in the product use and recharges available across multiple integrated payment channels.

Enterprise services remain a key opportunity. Nxtra by Airtel, the data centre division of Airtel Africa, broke ground in September 2025 on their second hyperscale data centre in Tatu City, Nairobi, Kenya, as part of our B2B strategy to boost data centre capacity across Africa. Anticipated to go live in Q1 2027, this is expected to be the biggest data centre in East Africa at 44 MW capacity and will have high density and high capacity ready in anticipation of hosting the new generation of servers. This construction follows the commencement of construction of a 38-megawatt data centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

Financial review for the year ended 31 March 2026

Nigeria - mobile services

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Summarised statement of

Operations

Revenue

$m

1,598

1,045

52.8%

47.4%

475

307

54.7%

40.2%

Voice revenue 1

$m

614

448

36.9%

32.2%

182

133

36.5%

23.7%

Data revenue

$m

820

483

69.8%

63.6%

244

139

75.5%

59.1%

Other revenue2

$m

164

114

44.2%

38.8%

49

35

41.2%

27.8%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

924

522

76.8%

70.3%

284

162

75.1%

58.7%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

57.8%

50.0%

785 bps

776 bps

59.7%

52.8%

695 bps

696 bps

Depreciation and amortisation

$m

(306)

(217)

41.1%

36.1%

(89)

(67)

32.2%

19.7%

Operating profit

$m

543

304

78.5%

70.8%

184

85

115.7%

94.6%

Capex

$m

249

168

48.6%

48.6%

83

64

29.0%

29.0%

Operating free cash flow

$m

675

354

90.3%

80.7%

201

98

105.5%

78.6%

Operating KPIs

Total customer base

million

58.3

53.3

9.4%

58.3

53.3

9.4%

Data customer base

million

31.4

29.1

8.1%

31.4

29.1

8.1%

Mobile services ARPU

$

2.4

1.7

41.6%

36.7%

2.8

1.9

42.9%

29.6%

(1) Voice revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $1m in the year ended 31 March 2026. Excluding inter-segment revenue, voice revenue was $613m in year ended 31 March 2026.

(2) Other revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $2m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and in the prior period. Excluding inter-segment revenue, other revenue was

$162m in year ended 31 March 2026 and $112m in the prior period.

Revenue grew by 47.4% in constant currency, largely driven by continued strength in the demand for data services and supported by tariff adjustments. The constant currency revenue growth was driven by ARPU growth of 36.7% and customer base growth of 9.4%. In Q4'26, constant currency growth slowed compared to Q3'26 as we lapped the impact of tariff adjustments which were implemented in Q4'25.

In reported currency, revenue grew by 52.8% to $1,598m with Q4'26 revenue growth at 54.7% (40.2% in constant currency). Higher reported currency growth during Q4'26 compared to constant currency growth was due to the appreciation in the Nigerian naira from a weighted average NGN/USD rate of 1,529 in Q4'25 to NGN/USD 1,386 in Q4'26.

Voice revenue grew by 32.2% in constant currency, driven by voice ARPU growth of 22.5% primarily reflecting the tariff adjustments made during Q4'25.

Data revenue grew by 63.6% in constant currency as a function of both data customer and data ARPU growth of 8.1% and 49.2% respectively. Data usage per customer increased by 30.8% to 11.0 GB per month (from 8.4 GB in the prior period), with smartphone penetration increasing by 5.3% to reach 54.9%. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 13.7 GB per month compared to 11.1 GB per month in the prior period.

Underlying EBITDA of $924m improved by 76.8% in reported currency and by 70.3% in constant currency. The underlying EBITDA margin increased 785 basis points to 57.8%, with Q4'26 margins reaching 59.7%, driven by strong revenue growth and continued benefits arising from our cost efficiency programme, supported by stable fuel prices.

Operating free cash flow was $675m, up by 80.7% in constant currency and 90.3% in reported currency. This was driven primarily by the strong underlying EBITDA growth, partially offset by higher capex.

East Africa - mobile services1

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Summarised statement of

operations

Revenue

$m

2,192

1,843

18.9%

13.8%

577

477

20.9%

12.4%

Voice revenue2

$m

1,069

906

18.0%

12.5%

274

232

18.2%

8.8%

Data revenue

$m

930

755

23.1%

18.0%

253

200

26.5%

18.0%

Other revenue3

$m

193

182

6.2%

3.3%

50

45

10.4%

5.8%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

1,063

877

21.3%

14.9%

277

227

22.1%

11.2%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

48.5%

47.6%

93 bps

42 bps

48.0%

47.5%

46 bps

(49) bps

Depreciation and amortisation

$m

(427)

(349)

22.7%

19.0%

(118)

(95)

24.1%

18.3%

Operating profit

$m

576

472

22.1%

12.9%

142

118

20.3%

4.0%

Capex

$m

331

292

13.3%

13.3%

98

74

33.7%

33.7%

Operating free cash flow

$m

732

585

25.1%

15.6%

179

153

16.7%

0.3%

Operating KPIs

Total customer base

million

84.3

77.6

8.7%

84.3

77.6

8.7%

Data customer base

million

36.5

31.5

15.7%

36.5

31.5

15.7%

Mobile services ARPU

$

2.2

2.1

8.1%

3.5%

2.3

2.1

10.9%

3.1%

(1) The East Africa business region consists of Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

(2) Voice revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $2m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and in the prior period. Excluding inter-segment revenue, voice revenue was

$1,067m in year ended 31 March 2026 and $904m in the prior period.

(3) Other revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $18m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $13m in the prior period. Excluding inter-segment revenue, other revenue was $175m in year ended 31 March 2026 and $169m in the prior period.

East Africa revenue grew by 18.9% in reported currency to $2,192m and by 13.8% in constant currency. Higher reported currency revenue growth as compared to constant currency was primarily due to appreciation in the Zambian kwacha, Ugandan shilling and Tanzanian shilling. The constant currency growth was made up of voice revenue growth of 12.5% and data revenue growth of 18.0%.

Voice revenue growth was supported by customer base growth of 8.7% and voice ARPU growth of 2.2%. Customer base growth was largely driven by expansion of both network coverage and our distribution network.

Data customer base growth of 15.7% and data traffic growth of 50.3% were the primary drivers of data revenue growth. We continue to invest in our network and expand our 4G and 5G network services in the region. Over 2,200 sites are 5G enabled across five key markets, following the rollout in Malawi in Q4'26. Data usage per customer increased to 8.0 GB per customer per month, up by 28.0%, with smartphone penetration increasing by 4.3% to reach 46.6%. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 9.8 GB per month compared to 7.8 GB per month in the prior period.

Underlying EBITDA increased to $1,063m, up by 21.3% in reported currency and by 14.9% in constant currency. Underlying EBITDA margins of 48.5% compared to 47.6% in the prior period, up by 93 bps.

Operating free cash flow was $732m, up by 15.6% in constant currency, largely due to underlying EBITDA growth, although partially offset by higher capex.

Francophone Africa - mobile services1

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Summarised statement of

Operations

Revenue

$m

1,550

1,300

19.2%

14.8%

400

332

20.4%

14.3%

Voice revenue 2

$m

639

614

4.0%

(0.8%)

158

144

9.5%

2.3%

Data revenue

$m

780

566

37.9%

33.8%

208

159

30.7%

25.3%

Other revenue 3

$m

131

120

8.6%

5.7%

34

29

18.2%

13.4%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

618

505

22.4%

18.1%

162

132

22.4%

16.6%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

39.9%

38.8%

105 bps

111 bps

40.5%

39.8%

65 bps

82 bps

Depreciation and amortisation

$m

(261)

(231)

12.9%

8.2%

(71)

(59)

20.1%

13.1%

Operating profit

$m

304

219

38.8%

33.7%

78

59

31.2%

25.3%

Capex

$m

225

159

40.9%

40.9%

71

55

29.8%

29.8%

Operating free cash flow

$m

393

346

13.9%

7.7%

91

77

17.1%

7.5%

Operating KPIs

Total customer base

million

40.9

35.2

16.3%

40.9

35.2

16.3%

Data customer base

million

16.4

12.8

27.6%

16.4

12.8

27.6%

Mobile services ARPU

$

3.4

3.2

5.7%

1.8%

3.3

3.2

4.8%

(0.5%)

(1) The Francophone Africa business region consists of Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Niger, Republic of the Congo and the Seychelles.

(2) Voice revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $1m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $2m in the prior period. Excluding inter-segment revenue, voice revenue was $638m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $612m in the prior period.

(3) Other revenue includes inter-segment revenue of $9m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $3m in the prior period. Excluding inter-segment revenue, other revenue was $122m in year ended 31 March 2026 and $117m in the prior period.

Revenue grew by 19.2% in reported currency and by 14.8% in constant currency. Higher reported currency revenue growth compared to constant currency was due to an appreciation in the CFA. This year's growth of 14.8% in constant currency demonstrates significant improvement from 7.9% in the prior year. This follows a recovery in market trends and the benefits of sustained network investment and intensive focus on 'go-to-market' initiatives.

Voice revenue declined by 0.8% in constant currency as customer base growth of 16.3% was more than offset by a decline in voice ARPU reflecting interconnect rate reductions.

Data revenue grew by 33.8% in constant currency, supported by data customer base growth of 27.6%. Our continued 4G network rollout supported an increase in total data traffic of 62.2%, with data usage per customer growing by 25.3%. Furthermore, 93.6% of sites are now on 4G as compared to 87.7% in the prior period. Data usage per customer increased to 6.8 GB per month (up from 5.4 GB in the prior period), with smartphone penetration increasing by 4.6% to reach 47.7% as of 31 March 2026. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 8.1 GB per month compared to 6.5 GB per month in the prior period.

Underlying EBITDA of $618m increased by 22.4% and 18.1% in reported and constant currency, respectively. The underlying EBITDA margin improved to 39.9%, an increase of 105 basis points, driven by continued strong revenue growth.

Operating free cash flow of $393m increased by 7.7% in constant currency, due to the increase in underlying EBITDA, partially offset by higher capex.

Mobile services

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Summarised statement of

operations

Revenue1

$m

5,350

4,193

27.6%

22.6%

1,456

1,117

30.3%

20.8%

Voice revenue

$m

2,318

1,964

18.0%

12.8%

613

508

20.6%

10.9%

Data revenue

$m

2,530

1,804

40.3%

35.2%

705

498

41.5%

31.8%

Other revenue

$m

502

425

18.1%

14.7%

138

111

25.0%

17.6%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

2,612

1,910

36.7%

30.8%

729

517

40.9%

29.4%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

48.8%

45.6%

327 bps

305 bps

50.0%

46.3%

375 bps

329 bps

Depreciation and

amortisation

$m

(1,004)

(797)

26.1%

21.7%

(279)

(221)

26.2%

18.1%

Operating profit

$m

1,420

1,001

41.8%

34.1%

408

259

57.9%

42.0%

Capex

$m

810

619

30.9%

30.9%

256

193

32.5%

32.5%

Operating free cash flow

$m

1,802

1,291

39.5%

30.8%

473

324

45.9%

27.6%

Operating KPIs

Customer KPIs:

Total customer base

million

183.5

166.1

10.5%

183.5

166.1

10.5%

Data customer base

million

84.2

73.4

14.8%

84.2

73.4

14.8%

ARPU KPIs:

Voice ARPU

$

1.1

1.0

7.3%

2.6%

1.1

1.0

9.6%

0.8%

Data ARPU

$

2.7

2.2

20.6%

16.2%

2.8

2.3

23.8%

15.3%

(1) Mobile service revenue after inter-segment eliminations was $5,328m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $4,185m in the prior period.

Overall revenue from mobile services increased by 27.6% in reported currency and by 22.6% in constant currency, with growth evident across all regions and services.

Voice revenue grew by 12.8% in constant currency, supported primarily by growth in the customer base of 10.5% as we continued to invest in our network and distribution infrastructure. Voice ARPU grew by 2.6%. Total minutes on the network grew by 5.3% while voice usage per customer was 287 minutes.

Data revenue grew by 35.2% in constant currency, driven by both data customer base growth of 14.8% and data ARPU growth of 16.2%. The customer base growth was recorded across all regions and data traffic across our network continued to see strong growth of 48.5%. Data usage per customer increased to 8.9 GB per customer per month (from 7.0 GB in the prior period), with smartphone penetration increasing 4.7% to reach 49.5%. Smartphone data usage per customer reached 10.9 GB per month compared to 8.8 GB per month in the prior period. As of 31 March 2026, 5G is operational across six markets following the rollout in Malawi in Q4'26, with 3,116 sites deployed across our network. Data revenue contributed to 47.3% of total mobile services revenue, up from 43.0% in the prior period.

Underlying EBITDA was $2,612m, up 36.7% in reported currency and 30.8% in constant currency. The underlying EBITDA margin improved by 327 basis points year-on-year to 48.8%, following our strong revenue performance, a more stable operating environment and continued benefits from our ongoing cost efficiency programme.

Operating free cash flow was $1,802m, up by 30.8% in constant currency, due to the increased constant currency underlying EBITDA partially offset by higher capex during the period.

Mobile money

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Summarised statement of

operations

Revenue1

$m

1,355

994

36.3%

28.4%

369

263

40.2%

25.7%

Wallet services2

$m

648

475

36.5%

28.9%

174

122

42.3%

27.8%

Payment and transfers2

$m

573

421

36.3%

28.3%

159

113

40.8%

26.9%

Financial services2

$m

61

35

73.0%

61.1%

17

11

59.2%

39.0%

Others2

$m

73

63

15.5%

7.3%

19

17

9.2%

(5.5%)

Underlying EBITDA

$m

689

525

31.3%

22.9%

184

137

34.2%

18.0%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

50.8%

52.8%

(196) bps

(227) bps

49.9%

52.1%

(222) bps

(318) bps

Depreciation and amortisation

$m

(29)

(23)

27.7%

25.1%

(8)

(6)

27.5%

18.0%

Operating profit

$m

645

489

32.1%

23.2%

174

128

35.9%

18.9%

Capex

$m

45

32

41.4%

41.4%

16

17

(9.1%)

(9.1%)

Operating free cash flow

$m

644

493

30.7%

21.7%

168

120

40.3%

21.9%

Operating KPIs

Mobile money customer base

million

54.1

44.6

21.3%

54.1

44.6

21.3%

Total processed value (TPV)

$bn

195.9

136.5

43.5%

35.2%

54.0

36.3

49.0%

34.3%

Mobile money ARPU

$

2.3

2.0

15.3%

8.6%

2.3

2.0

17.7%

5.6%

(1) Mobile money service revenue post inter-segment eliminations with mobile services were $1,087m in the year ended 31 March 2026 and $770m in the prior year.

(2) Wallet services comprise cash-in (deposits)/cash-out (withdrawals). Payment and transfers comprise P2P money transfers, airtime and bundle recharges, utility bill payments, merchant payments, cash collection, corporate bulk payments and international money transfers. Financial services primarily include bank-to-wallet transfers, wallet-to-bank transfers, lending, insurance, wealth management and savings. Others comprises retention revenues. For a full description refer to glossary on page 60.

Mobile money revenue grew by 36.3% in reported currency, with constant currency revenues growing by 28.4%. During the period, East Africa revenue grew 26.1% and Francophone Africa revenue grew by 34.3% in constant currency. In Q4'26, Francophone Africa revenues grew by 38.9% in constant currency as we focused on key opportunities across the region. The expansion of our distribution network underpinned our 21.3% customer base growth, while ARPU growth of 8.6% in constant currency reflects the increased range of services on offer as we continue to expand the ecosystem.

A 14.4% increase in total processed value (TPV) per customer to $332 per customer per month reflects both the enhanced ecosystem and increased user engagement. Q4'26 annualised TPV exceeded $215bn in reported currency, with mobile money revenue contributing 21.1%6 of total Group revenue during the year ended 31 March 2026.

Regional split:

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Revenue

$m

1,355

994

36.3%

28.4%

369

263

40.2%

25.7%

Nigeria

$m

9

4

113.4%

102.9%

3

2

94.7%

76.4%

East Africa

$m

1,009

747

35.1%

26.1%

273

197

38.5%

21.0%

Francophone Africa

$m

337

243

38.6%

34.3%

93

64

44.9%

38.9%

Mobile money customers

million

54.1

44.6

21.3%

54.1

44.6

21.3%

Nigeria

million

2.7

1.7

60.7%

2.7

1.7

60.7%

East Africa

million

40.9

35.3

15.8%

40.9

35.3

15.8%

Francophone Africa

million

10.5

7.6

38.0%

10.5

7.6

38.0%

Mobile money underlying EBITDA was $689m, up by 31.3% and 22.9% in reported and constant currency, respectively. The underlying EBITDA margin of 50.8%, declined by 227 basis points in constant currency and 196 basis points in reported currency, primarily reflects the renegotiation of intra-group agreements as previously disclosed in our H1'26 results.

‌6 Mobile money contribution is based upon mobile money revenue, including cross-charge revenue from mobile services which is eliminated upon consolidation.

The impact arising from intra-group agreement revisions will occur in phases. Adjusting for the impact of the revised intra-group agreements, mobile money constant currency revenue growth would have been 31.6%, with underlying EBITDA margins of 53.1% in the year ended 31 March 2026. As these are intra-group arrangements, they will have no impact on the consolidated revenue, underlying EBITDA or growth outlook for the Group.

Operating free cash flow was $644m, up by 21.7% in constant currency, due to the increased underlying EBITDA, partially offset by higher capex.

Regional performance Nigeria

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Revenue

$m

1,603

1,048

52.9%

47.5%

477

308

54.8%

40.3%

Voice revenue

$m

614

448

36.9%

32.2%

182

133

36.5%

23.7%

Data revenue

$m

820

483

69.8%

63.6%

244

139

75.5%

59.1%

Mobile money revenue

$m

9

4

113.4%

102.9%

3

2

94.7%

76.4%

Other revenue

$m

164

114

44.3%

38.9%

49

35

41.2%

27.7%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

922

521

77.0%

70.5%

283

162

74.4%

58.1%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

57.5%

49.7%

782 bps

774 bps

59.3%

52.6%

667 bps

668 bps

Operating KPIs

ARPU

$

2.4

1.7

41.8%

36.8%

2.8

1.9

43.0%

29.6%

East Africa

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported currency

change

Constant currency

change

Revenue

$m

3,015

2,432

24.0%

17.8%

801

632

26.7%

15.8%

Voice revenue

$m

1,069

906

18.0%

12.5%

274

232

18.2%

8.8%

Data revenue

$m

930

755

23.1%

18.0%

253

200

26.5%

18.0%

Mobile money revenue

$m

1,009

747

35.1%

26.1%

273

197

38.5%

21.0%

Other revenue

$m

180

176

2.2%

(0.2%)

46

44

4.6%

0.7%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

1,602

1,284

24.8%

17.3%

424

333

27.4%

13.7%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

53.1%

52.8%

34 bps

(23) bps

52.9%

52.7%

26 bps

(97) bps

Operating KPIs

ARPU

$

3.1

2.7

12.7%

7.1%

3.2

2.7

16.2%

6.2%

Francophone Africa

Description

Unit of measure

Year ended

Quarter ended

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Mar-26

Mar-25

Reported

currency change

Constant

currency change

Revenue

$m

1,786

1,469

21.5%

17.1%

465

376

23.8%

17.7%

Voice revenue

$m

639

614

4.0%

(0.8%)

158

144

9.5%

2.3%

Data revenue

$m

780

566

37.9%

33.8%

208

159

30.7%

25.3%

Mobile money revenue

$m

337

243

38.6%

34.3%

93

64

44.9%

38.9%

Other revenue

$m

123

119

3.6%

0.8%

31

28

9.5%

5.0%

Underlying EBITDA

$m

786

637

23.5%

19.4%

204

167

22.0%

16.5%

Underlying EBITDA margin

%

44.0%

43.3%

70 bps

82 bps

43.7%

44.4%

(66) bps

(43) bps

Operating KPIs

ARPU

$

3.9

3.6

7.8%

3.9%

3.9

3.6

7.8%

2.4%

Consolidated performance

Description

UoM

Year ended - March 2026

Year ended - March 2025

Mobile services

Mobile money

Unallocated1

Eliminations

Total

Mobile services

Mobile money

Unallocated1

Eliminations

Total

Revenue

$m

5,350

1,355

-

(290)

6,415

4,193

994

-

(232)

4,955

Voice revenue

$m

2,318

-

-

2,318

1,964

-

-

1,964

Data revenue

$m

2,530

-

-

2,530

1,804

-

-

1,804

Other revenue

$m

502

-

(22)

480

425

-

(8)

417

Underlying EBITDA

$m

2,612

689

(139)

-

3,162

1,910

525

(131)

-

2,304

Underlying EBITDA

margin

%

48.8%

50.8%

49.3%

45.6%

52.8%

46.5%

Depreciation and

amortisation

$m

(1,004)

(29)

(14)

-

(1,047)

(797)

(23)

(11)

-

(831)

Operating

exceptional items

$m

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(16)

-

(16)

Operating profit

$m

1,420

645

50

-

2,115

1,001

489

(33)

-

1,457

(1) Unallocated in the above table represents 'Headquarter costs'.

Risk factors

The risk factors summarised below relate to the Group's business and industry in which it operates. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to the Group that are currently unknown to the Group, or those the Group currently deems immaterial, may, individually or cumulatively, also have a material adverse impact on the Group's business, results of operations and financial position. The Group's principal and emerging risks and risk management process are described in our Annual Report and Accounts.

Summary of principal risks

The Group continually monitors its external and internal environment to identify risks which have the ability to impact its operations, financial performance or the achievement of its objectives.

  1. We operate in a competitive environment with the potential for aggressive competition by existing players, or the entry of new players, which could both put a downward pressure on prices, adversely affecting our revenue and profitability.

  2. Failure to innovate through simplifying the customer experience, developing adequate digital touchpoints in line with changing customer needs and competitive landscape could lead to loss of customers and market share.

  3. Global geopolitical tensions and changes in macroeconomic conditions have the potential to impact our business both directly and indirectly. These impacts include potential increases in the cost of our inputs and negative effects on the disposable incomes of our customers, which could, in turn, affect sales and profitability.

  4. Cybersecurity threats through internal or external sabotage or system vulnerabilities could potentially result in customer data breaches and/or service downtimes. This risk is increasing as AI-enabled attacks such as automated phishing, bot-driven threats, and other AI-augmented intrusions grow more sophisticated and harder to defend against.

  5. Supply chain disruptions, whether affecting the Group directly or its key suppliers and partners, have the potential to materially impact our ability to deliver products and services, increase operating costs and negatively affect profitability. Risks arising from disruptions across global supply chains whether driven by geopolitical instability, trade restrictions, natural disasters, or logistical constraints can cascade through our supply chain and affect our operational continuity.

  6. Shortages of skilled telecommunications professionals in some markets and the inability to identify and develop successors for key leadership positions could both lead to disruptions in the execution of our corporate strategy.

  7. The resilience of our financial services platform is fundamental to achieving our strategic objectives and advancing financial inclusion across our operating footprint. With the increasing scale of our financial services business and the level of integration with third-party products, services and platforms, disruptions to platform availability whether caused by technical failures, cybersecurity incidents, third-party system outages, or infrastructure constraints can result in service interruptions that undermine customer trust, impact transaction processing, and expose the Group to reputational and regulatory risk.

  8. Our ability to provide quality of service to our customers and meet quality of service (QoS) requirements depends on the robustness and resilience of our technology stack and ecosystem encompassing hardware, software, products, services, applications and our ability to respond appropriately to any disruptions. However, telecommunications networks are subject to the risks of technical failures, aging infrastructure, human error, wilful acts of destruction or natural disasters.

  9. We operate across diverse and dynamic legal, tax and regulatory environments. Adverse changes in the political, macroeconomic and policy environment could negatively impact our ability to achieve our objectives. While the Group makes every effort to comply with its legal and regulatory obligations across all operating jurisdictions in line with its risk appetite, it remains continually exposed to an uncertain and evolving legal, regulatory and policy environment in a number of its markets.

  10. Our multinational footprint means we are constantly exposed to the risk of adverse currency fluctuations and the macroeconomic conditions in the markets where we operate. We derive revenue and incur costs in local currencies where we operate, but we also incur costs in foreign currencies, mainly from buying equipment and services from manufacturers and technology service providers. That means adverse

movements in exchange rates between the currencies in our OpCos and the US dollar could have a negative effect on our liquidity and financial condition. In some markets, we face instances of limited supply of foreign currency within the local monetary system. This not only constrains our ability to fully benefit at Group level from strong cash generation by those OpCos but also impacts our ability to make timely foreign currency payments to our international suppliers.

Given the severity of this risk, specifically in some of our OpCos, the Group management continuously monitors the potential impact of this risk of exchange rate fluctuations by comparing the average devaluation of each currency in the markets in which the Group operates against US dollar on a ten-year historic basis and onshore forward exchange rates over a one-year period, if available.

With respect to currency sensitivity going forward, over a 12-month period and assuming the movement occurs at the beginning of the period, a further 1% movement of the USD against all OpCos currencies would result in an estimated impact of $60m-$62m on revenues, $29m-$31m on underlying EBITDA and $27m-$29m on foreign exchange (excluding derivatives). Our largest exposure is to the Nigerian naira, where a similar 1% USD movement would result in an estimated $14m-$15m impact on foreign exchange (excluding derivatives).

This does not represent any guidance and is being used solely to illustrate the potential impact of further currency movements on the Group for the purpose of exchange rate risk management and assumes all other variables remain constant. The accounting under IFRS is based on exchange rates in line with the requirements of IAS 21 'The Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange' and does not factor in the devaluation mentioned above.

Based on above-mentioned specific methodology for the identified OpCos, management evaluates specific mitigation actions based on available mechanisms in each of the geographies. For further details on such mitigation action, refer to the risk section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2025 which can be downloaded from our website https://www.airtel.africa

Forward looking statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the Group operates.

These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe," "anticipate," "could," "may," "would," "should," "intend," "plan," "potential," "predict," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned," "strategy," "outlook", "target" and similar expressions.

It is believed that the expectations reflected in this document are reasonable, but they may be affected by a wide range of variables that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated.

All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual future financial condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and results expressed in the forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this communication.

Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to the following: the impact of competition from illicit trade; the impact of adverse domestic or international legislation and regulation; changes in domestic or international tax laws and rates; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes and the effect of such outcomes on Airtel Africa's financial condition; changes or differences in domestic or international economic or political conditions; the ability to obtain price increases and the impact of price increases on consumer affordability thresholds; adverse decisions by domestic or international regulatory bodies; the impact of market size reduction and consumer down-trading; translational and transactional foreign exchange rate exposure; the impact of serious injury, illness or death in the workplace; the ability to maintain credit ratings; the ability to develop, produce or market new alternative products and to do so profitably; the ability to effectively implement strategic initiatives and actions taken to increase sales growth; the ability to enhance cash generation and pay dividends and changes in the market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of Airtel Africa.

Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking statements contained in this document reflect the knowledge and information available to Airtel Africa at the date of preparation of this document and Airtel Africa undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

No statement in this communication is intended to be, nor should be construed as, a profit forecast or a profit estimate and no statement in this communication should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of Airtel Africa plc for the current or any future financial periods would necessarily match, exceed or be lower than the historical published earnings per share of Airtel Africa plc.

Financial data included in this document are presented in US dollars rounded to the nearest million. Therefore, discrepancies in the tables between totals and the sums of the amounts listed may occur due to such rounding. The percentages included in the tables throughout the document are based on numbers calculated to the nearest $1,000 and therefore minor rounding differences may result in the tables. Growth metrics are provided on a constant currency basis unless otherwise stated. The Group has presented certain financial information on a constant currency basis. This is calculated by translating the results for the current financial year and prior financial year at a fixed 'constant currency' exchange rate, which is done to measure the organic performance of the Group. Growth rates for our reporting regions and service segments are provided in constant currency as this better represents the performance of the business.

Airtel Africa plc

Results for the year ended 31 March 2026 Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended

Notes

31 March 2026

$m

31 March 2025

$m

Income

Revenue

5

6,415

4,955

Other income

27

22

6,442

4,977

Expenses

Network operating expenses

1,183

974

Access charges

261

236

Licence fee and spectrum usage charges

293

263

Employee benefit expenses

360

302

Sales and marketing expenses

852

650

Impairment loss on financial assets

11

7

Other operating expenses

320

257

Depreciation and amortisation

1,047

831

4,327

3520

Operating profit

2,115

1,457

Finance costs

- Derivative and net foreign exchange (gains)/losses

Nigerian naira

(149)

118

Other currencies

22

61

- Other finance costs

867

663

Finance income

(27)

(20)

Net monetary gain relating to hyperinflationary accounting

6

(17)

(26)

Share of profit of associate and joint venture accounted for using

equity method

(0)

(0)

Profit before tax

1,419

661

Income tax expense

8

606

333

Profit for the year

813

328

Profit before tax (as presented above)

1,419

661

Add: Exceptional items

7

-

103

Underlying profit before tax

1,419

764

Profit after tax (as presented above)

813

328

Add: Exceptional items

7

-

73

Underlying profit after tax

813

401

For the year ended

Notes

31 March 2026

$m

31 March 2025

$m

Profit for the year (continued from previous page)

813

328

Other comprehensive income ('OCI')

Items to be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Gain due to foreign currency translation differences

252

219

Gain on debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive

-

0

income

Share of OCI of associate and joint venture accounted for using

0

0

equity method

(Loss)/gain on cash flow hedges

(0)

0

Cash flow hedges reclassified to profit or loss

(0)

(0)

Tax on above

0

1

252

220

Items not to be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

Re-measurement gain on defined benefit plans

0

1

Tax on above

(0)

(0)

0

1

Other comprehensive income for the year

252

221

Total comprehensive income for the year

1,065

549

Profit for the year attributable to:

813

328

Owners of the company

679

220

Non-controlling interests

134

108

Other comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

252

221

Owners of the company

237

179

Non-controlling interests

15

42

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

1,065

549

Owners of the company

916

399

Non-controlling interests

149

150

Earnings per share

cents

cents

Basic

9

18.6

6.0

Diluted

9

18.6

6.0

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Assets

Non-current assets

Notes

As of 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

$m $m

Property, plant and equipment

10

2,425

2,086

Capital work-in-progress

10

265

194

Right-of-use assets

3,569

3,029

Goodwill

11&12

3,238

3,008

Other intangible assets

871

810

Intangible assets under development

25

8

Investment accounted for using equity method

6

5

Financial assets

- Investments

0

0

- Derivative instruments

0

0

- Others

17

10

Income tax assets (net)

8

8

Deferred tax assets (net)

428

509

Other non-current assets

206

195

11,058

9,862

Current assets

Inventories

16

19

Financial assets

- Investments

20

-

- Derivative instruments

1

1

- Trade receivables

193

203

- Cash and cash equivalents

13

646

552

- Other bank balances

13

197

81

- Balance held under mobile money trust

14

1,395

952

- Others

90

67

Other current assets

341

286

Assets classified as held for sale

6

-

2,905

2,161

Total assets 13,963 12,023

Liabilities

Current liabilities Financial liabilities

As of

Notes 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

$m $m

- Borrowings

16

1,019

1,095

- Lease liabilities

329

231

- Put option liability

515

542

- Derivative instruments

7

10

- Trade payables

612

485

- Mobile money wallet balance

1,310

928

- Others

486

383

Employee benefit obligations

64

66

Provisions

35

45

Deferred revenue

173

135

Current tax liabilities (net)

174

89

Other current liabilities

268

233

4,992

4,242

Net current liabilities (2,087) (2,081)

Non-current liabilities Financial liabilities

- Borrowings

16

1,169

1,226

- Lease liabilities

3,895

3,430

- Derivative instruments

0

0

- Others

201

216

Employee benefit obligations

33

23

Provisions

2

2

Deferred revenue

43

0

Deferred tax liabilities (net)

136

106

Other non-current liabilities

4

3

5,483

5,006

Total liabilities

10,475

9,248

Net Assets

3,488

2,775

Equity

Share capital

15

1,827

1,835

Reserves and surplus

1,321

651

Equity attributable to owners of the company

3,148

2,486

Non-controlling interests ('NCI')

340

289

Total equity

3,488

2,775

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

For and on behalf of the Board of Airtel Africa plc

Sunil Taldar

Chief executive officer 7 May 2026

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Equity attributable to owners of the company

Non-controlling interests (NCI)

$m

Total equity

$m

Share Capital

Reserves and Surplus

Equity attributable to owners of the company

$m

No. of shares

Amount

$m

Retained earnings

$m

Transactions with NCI reserve

$m

Other components of equity

$m

Total

$m

3,750,761,649

1,875

5,056 (838)

(3,933)

285

2,160

140

2,300

-

-

220 -

-

220

220

108

328

-

-

1 -

178

179

179

42

221

-

-

221 -

178

399

399

150

549

-

-

- -

246

246

246

62

308

-

-

(4) -

(1)

(5)

(5)

-

(5)

-

-

- -

8

8

8

-

8

(80,231,773)

(40)

(120) -

60

(60)

(100)

-

(100)

-

-

- 7

-

7

7

(1)

6

-

-

(229) -

-

(229)

(229)

-

(229)

-

-

- -

-

-

-

(62)

(62)

3,670,529,876

1,835

4,924 (831)

(3,442)

651

2,486

289

2,775

-

-

679 -

-

679

679

134

813

-

-

0 -

237

237

237

15

252

-

-

679 -

237

916

916

149

1,065

-

-

1 -

2

3

3

-

3

-

-

- -

12

12

12

-

12

(15,648,848)

(8)

(44) -

(1)

(45)

(53)

-

(53)

-

-

- 30

-

30

30

1

31

-

-

(246) -

-

(246)

(246)

-

(246)

-

-

- -

-

-

-

(99)

(99)

3,654,881,028

1,827

5,314 (801)

(3,192)

1,321

3,148

340

3,488

As of 1 April 2024

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Opening reserve adjustment for hyperinflation(1) Transactions with owners of equity Employee share-based payment reserve (Purchase)/issue of treasury shares (net) Ordinary shares buy-back programme Transactions with NCI(2)

Dividend to owners of the company Dividend (including tax) to NCI(3)

As of 31 March 2025

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income Transactions with owners of equity Employee share-based payment reserve (Purchase)/issue of treasury shares (net)

Ordinary shares buy-back programme (refer to note 4(b)) Transactions with NCI(2)

Dividend to owners of the company (refer to note 4(a)) Dividend (including tax) to NCI(3)

As of 31 March 2026

(1) Opening hyperinflationary adjustment as at 1 April 2024 relates to Malawi operations (refer to note 6).

(2) This primarily relates to:

  • Reversal of put option liability by $27m (31 March 2025: $15m) for dividend distribution to put option non-controlling interest holders (any dividend paid to the put option non-controlling interest holders is adjustable against the put option liability based on the put option arrangement),

  • $6m (31 March 2025: Nil) pertains to remeasurement of put option liability due to deferment of exercisable date of put options by 12 months. Refer to note 4(c)

  • During the year ended 31 March 2025, it includes excess of consideration over proportionate net assets, on sale of shares of Airtel Zambia to minority shareholders under free float of Airtel Zambia amounting to $9m and adjusted by $17m pertaining to the settlement of dispute with non-controlling interest holders in one of the subsidiaries of the Group.

(3) Dividend to non-controlling interests includes tax of $4m (31 March 2025: $4m).

26

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Cash flows from operating activities

For the year ended 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

$m $m

Profit before tax 1,419 661

Adjustments for -

Depreciation and amortization 1,047 831

Finance income (27) (20)

Net monetary gain relating to hyperinflation accounting (17) (26) Finance costs

-Derivative and net foreign exchange (gains)/losses

Nigerian naira

(149)

118

Other currencies

22

61

-Other finance costs

867

663

Share of profit of associate and joint venture accounted for using equity

method

(0)

(0)

Other non-cash adjustments (1)

27

14

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

3,189

2,302

Changes in working capital

Decrease/(increase) in trade receivables

16

(30)

(Increase)/decrease in inventories

(2)

1

Increase in trade payables

67

69

Increase in mobile money wallet balance

279

218

(Decrease)/increase in provisions and employee benefit obligations

(4)

38

Increase in deferred revenue

70

15

Increase in other financial and non-financial liabilities

90

27

(Increase) in other financial and non-financial assets

(115)

(51)

Net cash generated from operations before tax

3,590

2,589

Income taxes paid

(395)

(323)

Net cash generated from operating activities (a)

3,195

2,266

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment and capital work-in-progress

(753)

(736)

Purchase of intangible assets and intangible assets under development

(122)

(123)

Maturity of deposits with bank

325

392

Investment in deposits with bank

(438)

(123)

(Purchase)/sale of other short-term investment

(21)

2

Interest received

23

26

Net cash used in investing activities (b)

(986)

(562)

Cash flows from financing activities

Purchase of shares under buy-back programme

(74)

(120)

Purchase of own shares by ESOP trust (net)

(0)

(0)

Proceeds from sale of shares to NCI

-

10

Proceeds from borrowings

1,133

1,383

Repayment of borrowings

(1,164)

(1,400)

Repayment of lease liabilities

(204)

(222)

Dividend paid to non-controlling interests

(105)

(72)

Dividend paid to owners of the company

(246)

(229)

Payment of deferred spectrum liability

(31)

(29)

Interest on borrowings, lease liabilities and other liabilities

(839)

(670)

Outflow on maturity of derivatives (net)

(61)

(194)

Net cash used in financing activities (c)

(1,591)

(1,543)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the year (a+b+c)

618

161

Currency translation differences relating to cash and cash equivalents

107

(1)

Cash and cash equivalents as at beginning of the year

1,060

900

Cash and cash equivalents as at end of the year (refer to Note 13) (2)

1,785

1,060

(1) For the year ended 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025, this mainly includes movements in impairment of trade receivable, expense related to employee stock option plan and other provisions.

(2) Includes balances held under mobile money trust of $1,394m (March 2025: $952m) on behalf of mobile money customers which are not available for use by the Group.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Corporate information

    Airtel Africa plc ('the company') is a public company limited by shares incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom (UK) under the Companies Act 2006 and is registered in England and Wales (registration number 11462215). The registered address of the company is First Floor, 15 Davies Street, London, W1K 3DE, United Kingdom. The company is listed both on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX). The company is a subsidiary of Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited ('the parent'), a company registered in Mauritius. The registered address of the parent is c/o IQ EQ Corporate Services (Mauritius) Ltd., 33, Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, 11324, Mauritius.

    The company together with its subsidiary undertakings (hereinafter referred to as 'the Group') has operations in Africa. The principal activities of the Group, its associates and its joint venture primarily consist of the provision of telecommunications and mobile money services.

  2. Basis of preparation

    The results for the year ended 31 March 2026 are an abridged statement of the full annual report which was approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf on 7 May 2026. The consolidated financial statements within the full annual report are prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and approved for use in the United Kingdom (UK) by the UK Accounting Standards Endorsement Board ('UKEB').

    The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 March 2026 and 2025 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for March 2025 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2026 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting.

    The financial information included in this release announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The company will publish full financial statements that comply with IFRS, in June 2026.

    All the amounts included in the financial statements are reported in US dollars, with all values rounded to the nearest millions

    ($m) except when otherwise indicated. Further, amounts which are less than half a million are appearing as '0'.

    The accounting policies as set out in the following paragraphs of this note have been consistently applied by all the Group's

    entities to all the periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

  3. Going concern

    These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. In making this going concern assessment, the Group has considered cash flow projections to June 2027 (going concern assessment period) under both a base case and reasonable worst-case scenarios including a reverse stress test. This assessment takes into consideration its principal risks and uncertainties including a reduction in revenue and EBITDA and a devaluation of the various currencies in the countries in which the Group operates including the Nigerian naira. This assessment also takes into consideration the repayment of all liabilities that fall due over the going concern period including the repayment of borrowings and other liabilities. As part of this evaluation, the Group has considered available ways to mitigate these risks and uncertainties and has also considered committed undrawn facilities of $254m expiring beyond the going concern assessment period, which will fulfil the Group's cash flow requirement under both the base and reasonable worst-case scenarios.

    Having considered all the above-mentioned factors impacting the Group's businesses, the impact of downside sensitivities and the mitigating actions available to the group including a reduction and deferral of capital expenditure, the directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these consolidated financial statements.

  4. Significant transactions/new developments

    1. On 7 May 2025, the directors recommended, and shareholders approved on 9 July 2025, a final dividend of 3.90 cents per ordinary share for the year ended 31 March 2025, which was paid on 25 July 2025 to the holders of ordinary shares on the register of members at the close of business on 20 June 2025.

      Further, an interim dividend of 2.84 cents per share was also approved by the Board on 27 October 2025 which has been paid on 12 December 2025.

    2. On 23 December 2024, the company announced the commencement of its $100m second share buy-back programme to be achieved in two tranches. Following the completion of its first tranche of the buy-back on 24 April 2025, the company has announced the commencement of its second tranche of the programme on 14 May 2025. As part of the programme, the company has entered into an agreement with Barclays Capital Securities Limited ('Barclays') to conduct the second tranche of the buy-back amounting to a maximum of $55m and carry out on-market purchases of its ordinary shares, with the company subsequently purchasing its ordinary shares from Barclays. The second tranche of the programme was completed on 24 March 2026.

      During the year ended 31 March 2026, the company bought back 26,185,526 shares (7,489,044 shares and 18,696,482 shares against first and second tranche respectively) and has cancelled 15,648,848 shares against the second tranche resulting in 3,654,881,028 ordinary shares outstanding as of 31 March 2026. The purchase price of the shares bought back was $71m. The nominal value ($0.5 per share) of the cancelled shares, amounting to $8m, has been transferred to the capital redemption reserve. Further, 6,177,028 shares bought back against the first and second tranche, which have neither been cancelled nor issued to employees, are being held as treasury shares in connection with an employee share incentive scheme.

    3. During the year ended 31 March 2022, the Group had completed a transaction with TPG's The Rise Fund and Mastercard for sale of interests in one of the Group's subsidiary, Airtel Mobile Commerce BV ('AMC BV'), pursuant to which the Group had written a put option in favour of investors to buy back their stock on fair value (subject to cap) at the end of 48 months from first close date, in the event of no Initial Public Offering for the said subsidiary.

      During the current year, Group has agreed with The Rise Fund and Mastercard to defer the exercisable date of their put options under their respective agreements by 12 months. Accordingly, the Group has remeasured its put option liability by $6m to reflect the said extension by a corresponding adjustment to 'Transaction with NCI reserve'.

  5. Segmental information

    The Group's segment information is provided on the basis of geographical clusters and products to the Group's Chief Executive Officer (chief operating decision maker - 'CODM') for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of performance.

    The Group's operating segments are as follows:

    Nigeria mobile services - Comprising of mobile service operations in Nigeria;

    East Africa mobile services - Comprising of mobile service operations in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi and Rwanda;

    Francophone Africa mobile services - Comprising of mobile service operations in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad, Niger, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, Madagascar and Seychelles;

    Mobile money* - Comprising of mobile money services across the Group.

    *Mobile money services segment consolidates the results of mobile money operations from all operating entities within the Group. Airtel Money Commerce B.V. (AMC BV) is the holding company for all mobile money services for the Group, and as of 31 March 2026 it controls all mobile money operations excluding operations in Nigeria.

    Each segment derives revenue from the respective services housed within each segment, as described above. Expenses, assets and liabilities primarily related to the corporate headquarters and centralised functions of the Group are presented as unallocated items.

    The amounts reported to CODM are based on the accounting principles used in the preparation of the financial statements.

    Each segment's performance is evaluated based on segment revenue and segment result.

    The segment result is Underlying EBITDA (defined as operating profit/(loss) for the year before depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items relating to operating profit, if any). This is the measure reported to the CODM for the purpose of resource

    allocation and assessment of segment performance. During the year ended 31 March 2026, the definition of EBITDA was equal to Underlying EBITDA since there were no exceptional items pertaining to EBITDA and therefore EBITDA is presented in the segmental information below. During the year ended 31 March 2025, the segment result is Underlying EBITDA as there was an exceptional item pertaining to EBITDA.

    Inter-segment pricing and terms are reviewed and changed by management to reflect changes in market conditions and changes to such terms are reflected in the period in which the changes occur.

    The 'Eliminations' column comprises inter-segment transactions eliminated upon consolidation.

    Segment assets and segment liabilities comprise those assets and liabilities directly managed by each segment. Segment assets primarily include receivables, property, plant and equipment, capital work in progress, right-to-use assets, intangibles assets, inventories and cash and cash equivalents. Segment liabilities primarily include operating liabilities. Segment capital expenditure comprises investment in property, plant and equipment, capital work in progress, intangible assets (excluding licences) and capital advances.

    Investment elimination upon consolidation and resulting goodwill impacts are reflected in the 'Eliminations' column.

    Summary of the segmental information and disaggregation of revenue is as follows:

    Nigeria

    mobile services

    $m

    East Africa

    mobile services

    $m

    Francophone

    Africa mobile services

    $m

    Mobile

    money

    $m

    Others

    (unallocated)

    $m

    Eliminations

    $m

    Total

    $m

    For the year ended 31 March 2026

    Revenue from external customers

    Voice revenue

    613

    1,067

    638

    -

    -

    -

    2,318

    Data revenue

    820

    930

    780

    -

    -

    -

    2,530

    Mobile money revenue(1)

    -

    -

    -

    1,087

    -

    -

    1,087

    Other revenue(2)

    162

    175

    122

    -

    21

    -

    480

    Total revenue from external customers

    1,595

    2,172

    1,540

    1,087

    21

    -

    6,415

    Inter-segment revenue

    3

    20

    10

    268

    16

    (317)

    -

    Total revenue

    1,598

    2,192

    1,550

    1,355

    37

    (317)

    6,415

    EBITDA

    924

    1,063

    618

    689

    (132)

    0

    3,162

    Less:

    Depreciation and amortisation

    306

    427

    261

    29

    24

    -

    1,047

    Finance costs

    - Derivative and net foreign exchange (gains)/losses

    Nigerian naira

    (149)

    Other currencies

    22

    - Other finance costs

    867

    Finance income

    (27)

    Net monetary gain relating to

    (17)

    hyperinflationary accounting

    Share of profit of associate and joint venture

    (0)

    accounted for using equity method

    Profit before tax

    1,419

    Other segment items

    Capital expenditure

    249

    331

    225

    45

    34

    -

    884

    As of 31 March 2026

    Segment assets

    3,062

    3,280

    2,152

    2,244

    21,443

    (18,218)

    13,963

    Segment liabilities

    3,136

    3,452

    2,792

    1,693

    4,586

    (5,183)

    10,476

    Investment in associate accounted for

    -

    -

    6

    -

    -

    -

    6

    using equity method (included in segment

    assets above)

    (1) Mobile money revenue is net of inter-segment elimination of $268m mainly for commission on sale of airtime. It includes $170m pertaining to East Africa mobile services, $95m pertaining to Francophone Africa mobile services and a balance of $3m pertaining to Nigeria mobile service

    (2) Other revenue includes messaging, value added services, enterprise, site sharing and handset sale revenue.

    Nigeria

    mobile services

    $m

    East Africa

    mobile services

    $m

    Francophone

    Africa mobile services

    $m

    Mobile

    money

    $m

    Others

    (unallocated)

    $m

    Eliminations

    $m

    Total

    $m

    For the year ended 31 March 2025

    Revenue from external customers

    Voice revenue

    448

    904

    612

    -

    -

    -

    1,964

    Data revenue

    483

    755

    566

    -

    -

    -

    1,804

    Mobile money revenue (1)

    -

    -

    -

    770

    -

    -

    770

    Other revenue (2)

    112

    169

    117

    -

    19

    -

    417

    Total revenue from external customers

    1,043

    1,828

    1,295

    770

    19

    -

    4,955

    Inter-segment revenue

    2

    15

    5

    224

    8

    (254)

    -

    Total revenue

    1,045

    1,843

    1,300

    994

    27

    (254)

    4,955

    Underlying EBITDA

    522

    877

    505

    525

    (125)

    -

    2,304

    Less:

    Depreciation and amortisation

    217

    349

    231

    23

    11

    (0)

    831

    Finance costs

    • Derivative and net foreign exchange losse

      Nigerian naira 118

      Other currencies 61

    • Other finance costs 663

    Finance income (20)

    Net monetary gain relating to hyperinflationary accounting

    Share of profit of associate and joint venture accounted for using equity method

    (26)

    (0)

    Exceptional items pertaining to operating

    profit

    Profit before tax

    16

    661

    Other segment items

    Capital expenditure

    168

    292

    159

    32

    19

    -

    670

    As of 31 March 2025

    Segment assets

    2,592

    2,960

    1,994

    1,534

    20,551

    (17,608)

    12,023

    Segment liabilities

    2,856

    3,127

    2,681

    1,145

    4,447

    (5,008)

    9,248

    Investment in associate accounted for -

    -

    5

    -

    -

    - 5

    using equity method (included in segment assets above)

    (1) Mobile money revenue is net of inter-segment elimination of $224m mainly for commission on sale of airtime. It includes $150m pertaining to East Africa mobile services, $73m pertaining to Francophone Africa mobile services and a balance of $1m pertaining to Nigeria mobile service.

    (2) Other revenue includes messaging, value added services, enterprise, site sharing and handset sale revenue.

    Geographical information disclosure based on the physical location of non-current assets (PPE, CWIP, ROU, intangible assets including goodwill and intangible assets under development):

    As of

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    United Kingdom

    1

    1

    Nigeria

    2,738

    2,260

    Netherlands (including Goodwill)

    3,184

    2,955

    Others (1)

    4,470

    3,919

    Total

    10,393

    9,135

    (1) majorly includes other African countries where the Group operates.

  6. Hyperinflation

    As at 31 December 2024, Malawi met the requirements to be designated as a hyperinflationary economy under IAS 29 'Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies'. The Group has therefore applied hyperinflationary accounting, as specified in IAS 29, at its Malawi operations whose functional currency is the Malawian kwacha. This resulted in an opening balance adjustment as of 1 April 2024 amounting to $308m to consolidated equity in the previous year. The upliftment of the assets on initial adoption resulted in the net asset value of Malawi exceeding its estimated recoverable amount. As a result of this, the initial adjustment was capped at the recoverable amount.

    During the year ended 31 March 2026, the CPI has increased by 24% (31 March 2025: 40%) and the average adjustment factor used to determine the impact on the income statement for the year ended 31 March 2026 was 1.01 (31 March 2025: 1.01), which represents the movement between the average and closing CPI.

    The main impact on these consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025 of the above-mentioned adjustments are shown below:

    For the year ended 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Increase in revenue

    2

    3

    Operating loss

    (22)

    (18)

    Net monetary gain relating to hyperinflationary accounting

    17

    26

    Loss after tax for the year

    (11)

    (12)

    As of 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Increase in non-monetary assets

    687

    514

    Increase in equity

    687

    514

  7. Exceptional items

    Underlying profit before tax excludes the following exceptional items

    For the year ended 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Profit before tax 1,419 661

    Add: Exceptional items Finance costs

    - Derivative and net foreign exchange (gains)/losses

    Nigerian naira

    -

    112

    Other currencies

    -

    (25)

    Provision for settlement of legal dispute (1)

    16

    -

    103

    Underlying profit before tax

    1,419

    764

    (1) Represents provision for expected settlement of a legal dispute in one of Group's former subsidiary which is

    recognised in other operating expenses.

    Underlying profit after tax excludes the following exceptional items:

    For the year ended

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    Profit after tax

    813

    328

    - Exceptional items (as above)

    -

    103

    - Tax on above exceptional items

    Nigerian naira

    -

    (37)

    Other currencies

    -

    7

    -

    73

    Underlying profit after tax

    813

    401

    Profit attributable to non-controlling interests amounting to $134m (31 March 2025: $108m) includes a gain of Nil (31 March 2025: $9m) during the year ended 31 March 2026, relating to the above exceptional items.

  8. Income tax

    The major components of the income tax expense are:

    For the year ended 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Current income tax 483 297

    Deferred tax 123 36

    Income tax expenses 606 333

  9. Earnings per share (EPS)

    The details used in the computation of basic EPS:

    For the year ended

    31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    Profit for the year attributable to owners of the company ($m)

    679

    220

    Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for basic EPS(number of

    shares)

    3,650,256,377

    3,703,072,464

    Basic earning per share (cents) 18.6 6.0

    The details used in the computation of diluted EPS:

    For the year ended

    31 March 2026

    31 March 2025

    Profit for the year attributable to owners of the company ($m)

    679

    220

    Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding for diluted EPS

    (1)(number of shares)

    3,657,400,713

    3,707,789,495

    Diluted earning per share (cents)

    18.6

    6.0

    (1) The difference between the basic and diluted number of shares at the end of March 2026 being 7,144,336 shares (31 March

    2025: 4,717,031 shares) relates to awards committed but not yet issued under the Group's share-based payment schemes.

  10. Property, plant and equipment ('PPE')

    The following table presents the reconciliation of changes in the carrying value of PPE for the years ended 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025:

    Leasehold

    Improvements

    Building

    Land

    Plant and

    Equipment(1)

    Furniture &

    Fixture

    Vehicles

    Office

    Equipment

    Computer

    Total

    Capital work in

    progress (2)

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    $m

    Gross carrying value

    Balance as of 1 April 2024

    44

    33

    24

    2,382

    61

    21

    57

    593

    3,215

    232

    Opening hyperinflationary adjustment(3)

    1

    13

    0

    204

    4

    1

    4

    46

    273

    0

    Additions/capitalisation

    0

    -

    0

    576

    6

    1

    20

    72

    675

    651

    Disposals/adjustments(4)

    (0)

    -

    -

    (4)

    (0)

    (0)

    (1)

    (2)

    (7)

    (675)

    Foreign currency translation impact

    (0)

    (1)

    (0)

    (135)

    (2)

    (0)

    (1)

    (15)

    (154)

    (14)

    Hyperinflationary impact for the period

    1

    6

    0

    115

    3

    0

    3

    25

    153

    -

    Balance as of 31 March 2025

    46

    51

    24

    3,138

    72

    23

    82

    719

    4,155

    194

    Balance as of 1 April 2025

    46

    51

    24

    3,138

    72

    23

    82

    719

    4,155

    194

    Additions/capitalisation

    1

    0

    0

    666

    8

    3

    17

    26

    721

    785

    Disposals/adjustments(4)

    (0)

    (1)

    -

    (54)

    (0)

    (0)

    (0)

    (400)

    (455)

    (730)

    Foreign currency translation impact

    2

    3

    1

    285

    5

    1

    6

    39

    342

    16

    Hyperinflationary impact for the year

    0

    5

    0

    100

    3

    0

    3

    11

    122

    0

    Balance as of 31 March 2026

    49

    58

    25

    4,135

    88

    27

    108

    395

    4,885

    265

    Accumulated Depreciation

    Balance as of 1 April 2024

    38

    16

    -

    704

    29

    20

    43

    539

    1,388

    -

    Opening hyperinflationary adjustment(3)

    1

    8

    -

    175

    3

    1

    4

    46

    238

    -

    Charge

    1

    3

    -

    341

    13

    0

    16

    38

    412

    -

    Disposals/adjustments (4)

    (0)

    -

    -

    (3)

    (0)

    (0)

    (1)

    (2)

    (6)

    -

    Foreign currency translation impact

    (0)

    (1)

    -

    (70)

    (1)

    (0)

    (1)

    (12)

    (85)

    -

    Hyperinflationary impact for the period

    1

    4

    -

    89

    2

    1

    2

    22

    121

    -

    Balance as of 31 March 2025

    41

    30

    -

    1,236

    46

    22

    63

    631

    2,069

    -

    Balance as of 1 April 2025

    41

    30

    -

    1,236

    46

    22

    63

    631

    2,069

    -

    Charge

    1

    3

    -

    415

    12

    1

    17

    17

    466

    -

    Disposals/adjustments(4)

    (0)

    (1)

    -

    (47)

    (0)

    (0)

    (0)

    (341)

    (389)

    -

    Foreign currency translation impact

    2

    2

    -

    169

    5

    0

    6

    33

    217

    -

    Hyperinflationary impact for the year

    0

    3

    -

    79

    2

    0

    2

    11

    97

    -

    Balance as of 31 March 2026

    44

    37

    -

    1,852

    65

    23

    88

    351

    2,460

    -

    Net carrying value

    As of 1 April 2024

    6

    17

    24

    1,679

    31

    1

    15

    54

    1,827

    232

    As of 31 March 2025

    5

    21

    24

    1,902

    26

    1

    19

    88

    2,086

    194

    As of 31 March 2026

    5

    21

    25

    2,283

    23

    4

    20

    44

    2,425

    265

    (1) Includes PPE secured against the Group's borrowings outstanding of $291m and $292m as at 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025 respectively.

    (2) The carrying value of capital work-in-progress as of 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025 mainly pertains to plant and equipment.

    (3) Opening hyperinflationary adjustment as at 1 April 2024 related to Malawi operations (refer to note 6).

    (4) Related to the reversal of gross carrying value and accumulated depreciation on retirement/disposal of PPE and reclassification from one category of asset to another. During the year ended 31 March 2026, the Group has reclassified assets amounting to $59m (gross carrying value: $86m, and accumulated amortisation: $27m) from property, plant and equipment to other intangible assets.

  11. Goodwill

    The following table presents the reconciliation of changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the year ended 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025

    Goodwill($m)

    Balance as of 1 April 2024

    2,569

    Opening hyperinflationary adjustment (1)

    270

    Foreign currency translation impact

    (24)

    Hyperinflationary impact for the period

    193

    Balance as of 31 March 2025

    3,008

    Balance as on 1 April 2025

    3,008

    Foreign currency translation impact

    71

    Hyperinflationary impact for the year

    159

    Balance as of 31 March 2026

    3,238

    (1) Opening hyperinflationary adjustment as at 1 April 2024 related to Malawi operations (refer to note 6)

  12. Impairment review

    The carrying amount of goodwill is attributed to the following groups of CGUs, which are also the Group's operating segments:

    As of

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    Nigeria mobile services

    299

    269

    East Africa mobile services

    1,160

    1,086

    Francophone Africa mobile services

    508

    497

    Mobile money services

    1,271

    1,156

    3,238 (1)

    3,008

    (1) The increase of $230m in carrying amount of goodwill during the year is due to hyperinflationary adjustment related to Malawi operations ($159m) and foreign currency translation differences.

    The Group tests goodwill for impairment annually on 31 December. The carrying value of goodwill as of 31 December 2025 was

    $287m, $1,139m, $514m and $1,233m for Nigeria mobile services, East Africa mobile services and Francophone Africa mobile services and Mobile money services, respectively. The recoverable amounts of the above group of CGUs are based on value-in-use, which are determined based on ten-year business plans that have been approved by the Board.

    Whilst the Board performed a long-term viability assessment over a three-year period, for the purposes of assessing liquidity (refer to long-term viability statement), the Group has adopted a ten-year plan for the purpose of impairment testing due to the following reasons:

    • The Group operates in emerging markets where the telecommunications and mobile money markets are underpenetrated when compared to developed markets. In these emerging markets, short-term plans (for example, five years) are not indicative of the long-term future prospects and performance of the Group;

    • The life of the Group's regulatory telecom licences and network assets are at an average of ten years, the spectrum renewals happen for a period of ten years or more and in general the replacement of technology happens after a similar duration; and

    • The potential opportunities of the emerging African telecom and mobile money sectors, which is mostly a two-to-three player market with lower smartphone penetration.

    Accordingly, the Board approved that this planning horizon reflects the assumptions for medium- to long-term market developments, appropriately covers market dynamics of emerging markets and better reflects the expected performance in the markets in which the Group operates.

    While using the ten-year plan, the Group also considers external market data to support the assumptions used in such plans, which is generally available only for the first five years. Considering the degree of availability of external market data beyond year five, the Group has performed a sensitivity analysis to assess the impact on impairment of using a five-year plan. The results of this sensitivity analysis demonstrate that the initial five-year plan with appropriate changes, including long-term growth rates applied at the end of this period, does not result in any impairment and does not result in a decrease in the recoverable value in any of the group of CGUs as compared to the recoverable value using the ten-year plan. Further, the Group is confident that projections for years six to ten are reliable and can demonstrate its ability, based on past experience, to forecast cash flows accurately over a longer period. Accordingly, the Board has approved and the Group continues to follow a consistent policy of using an initial forecast period of ten years for the purpose of impairment testing.

    The nominal cash flows used in the impairment tests reflect the Group's current assessment of the impact of climate change and associated commitments the Group has made (refer to climate change disclosures). Based on the analysis conducted so far, the Group is satisfied that the impact of climate change does not lead to an impairment as of 31 December 2025 and is adequately covered as part of the sensitivities disclosed below.

    The nominal cash flows beyond the planning period are extrapolated using appropriate long-term terminal growth rates. The longterm terminal growth rates used do not exceed the long-term average growth rates of the respective industry and country in which the entity operates and are consistent with internal/external sources of information.

    The inputs used in performing the impairment assessment as of 31 December 2025 were as follows:

    Assumptions

    Nigeria Mobile

    Services

    East Africa

    Mobile Services

    Francophone

    Africa Mobile Services

    Mobile Money

    Services

    Pre-tax discount rate

    25.02%

    20.36%

    19.71%

    21.54%

    Average Capital expenditure (as a percentage of revenue)

    12.85%

    17.00%

    15.86%

    2.91%

    Long term growth rate

    13.00%

    10.32%

    7.27%

    8.59%

    As of 31 December 2025, the impairment testing did not result in any impairment in the carrying amount of goodwill in any group of CGUs.

    The key assumptions in performing the impairment assessment are as follows:

    Assumptions

    Basis of assumptions

    Discount rate

    Nominal discount rate reflects the market assessment of the risks specific to the group of CGUs and are estimated based on the weighted average cost of capital for respective CGUs.

    Capital expenditure

    The cash flow forecasts of capital and spectrum licences expenditure are based on experience after considering the expenditure required to meet coverage, licence and capacity requirements relating to voice, data and mobile money services.

    Long-term growth rates

    The growth rates into perpetuity used are in line with the nominal long-term average growth rates of the respective industry and country in which the entity operates and are consistent with the internal/external sources of information.

    As of 31 December 2025, the impairment testing did not result in any impairment in the carrying amount of goodwill in any group of CGUs. The results of the impairment tests using these rates show that the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying amount by

    $4,334m for Nigeria mobile services (143%), $4,978m for East Africa mobile services (130%), $1,315m for Francophone Africa mobile services (61%) and $7,338m for Mobile money (540%), respectively. The Group, therefore, concluded that no impairment

    was required to the goodwill held against each group of CGUs. Subsequent to December 2025, the Group has also performed indicator testing for impairment of goodwill and has concluded that there are no indicators of impairment.

    Sensitivity in discount rate and capital expenditure

    Management believes that no reasonably possible change in any of the key assumptions would cause the difference between the carrying value and recoverable amount for any cash-generating unit to be materially different from the recoverable value in the base case. The table below sets out the breakeven pre-tax discount rate for each group of CGUs, which will result in the recoverable amount being equal with the carrying amount for each group of CGUs:

    Nigeria Mobile

    Services

    East Africa

    Mobile Services

    Francophone

    Africa Mobile Services

    Mobile Money

    Services

    Pre-tax discount rate

    42.75%

    32.82%

    26.53%

    83.18%

    No reasonably possible change in the terminal growth rate and capital expenditure would cause the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount.

  13. Cash and bank balances

    Cash and cash equivalents As of 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Balances with banks

    - On current accounts

    201

    269

    - Bank deposits with original maturity of three months or less

    188

    116

    - On settlement account

    25

    8

    Balance held in wallets

    218

    156

    Remittance in transit

    13

    2

    Cash on hand 1 1

    646 552

    Other bank balances

    As of

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    -Term deposits with banks with original maturity of

    189

    76

    more than three months but less than 12 months

    -Margin money deposits (1)

    7

    5

    -Restricted balance in escrow account

    1

    0

    -Unpaid dividend

    0

    0

    197

    81

    (1) Margin money deposits represent amounts given as collateral for legal cases and/or bank guarantees for disputed matters.

    For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are as follows:

    As of

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    Cash and cash equivalents as per statement of financial position

    646

    552

    Balance held under mobile money trust (with trust accounts)

    1,394

    952

    Bank overdraft

    (255)

    (444)

    1,785

    1,060

  14. Balance held under mobile money trust

As of

31 March 2026

$m

31 March 2025

$m

Balances with banks

- on trust accounts

1,394

952

1,394

952

Balances with original maturity period more than 3 months

but less than 12 months

- Investment in specified securities

1

-

1

-

1,395

952

15. Share capital

As of

31 March 2026

$m

31 March 2025

$m

Issued, subscribed and fully paid-up shares (refer to note

4(b))

3,654,881,028 Ordinary shares of $0.50 each (March 2025:

1,827

1,835

3,670,529,876)

1,827

1,835

Terms/rights attached to equity shares

  • The company has only one class of ordinary equity shares having par value of $0.50 per share. Each holder of equity shares is entitled to cast one vote per share and carry a right to dividends.

  1. Borrowings

    Non-current

    As of

    31 March 2026

    $m

    31 March 2025

    $m

    Secured

    Term loans(1)

    194

    237

    194

    237

    Unsecured

    Term loans(1)

    975

    989

    975

    989

    1,169

    1,226

    Current

    Secured

    As of 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

    $m $m

    Term loans(1)

    98

    55

    98

    55

    Unsecured

    Term loans(1)

    666

    596

    Bank overdraft

    255

    444

    921

    1,040

    1,019

    1,095

    (1) Includes debt origination costs.

  2. Contingent liabilities and commitments

    1. Contingent liabilities

      As of 31 March 2026 31 March 2025

      $m $m

      (a) Taxes, duties and other demands (under

      adjudication / appeal / dispute)

      -Income tax

      50

      24

      -Value added tax

      33

      25

      -Customs duty and Excise duty

      8

      8

      -Other miscellaneous demands

      12

      10

      (b) Claims under legal and regulatory cases

      118 81

      including arbitration matters

      221 148

      There are uncertainties in the legal, regulatory and tax environments in the countries in which the Group operates and there is a risk of demands, which may be raised based on current or past business operations. Such demands have in the past been challenged and contested on merit with the relevant authorities and appropriate settlements agreed.

      The increase of $73m in contingent liabilities during the year ended 31 March 2026 is primarily on account of new demands in income tax, value added tax, legal case, regulatory cases and other taxes in some of the subsidiaries of the Group offset by conclusion of one legal case in one of the subsidiaries of the Group.

      The company and its subsidiaries are currently and may become, from time to time, involved in a number of legal proceedings, including inquiries from, or discussions with, governmental authorities that are incidental to their operations. As of 31 March 2026, the Group's key contingent liabilities include the following:

      Claims under legal and regulatory cases including arbitration matter

      During the year ended 31 March 2026, one of the subsidiaries of the Group has been informed by its banking partner of cancellation of its historical foreign currency allocation by the central bank, which was swapped to spot at a fee with this bank. Accordingly, during the current period the bank has unilaterally charged the subsidiary's account $51m plus interest thereon due to reversal of this allocation. The Group is of the view that the subsidiary's liability ended upon the execution of the spot forex contract and any repayment obligation not expressly agreed is un-enforceable under local banking regulations. This view is also supported by the lawyers of the Group. Accordingly, the subsidiary has initiated an arbitration proceeding and sought a court injunction for any actions of recovery. The injunction has been partially granted by the court. The Group has disclosed this matter as a contingent liability. No provision has been made against this matter.

      Further, the banking partner initiated proceedings before the Federal High Court seeking to restrain the arbitration and challenge the arbitral tribunal, which the subsidiary has contested as non-maintainable. Similar objections were raised before the arbitration centre which subsidiary has rebutted. The subsidiary is in the process of filing its claim seeking a declaration that all transactions were fully settled and no repayment obligation exists. Based on legal advice, the matter continues to be disclosed as a contingent liability, with no provision recognised.

      In addition to the individual matter disclosed above, in the ordinary course of business, the Group is a defendant or co-defendant in various litigations and claims which are immaterial individually.

      Guarantees:

      Guarantees outstanding as of 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025 amounting to $9m and $13m respectively have been issued by banks and financial institutions on behalf of the Group. These guarantees include certain financial bank guarantees which have been given for sub-judice matters and the amounts with respect to these have been disclosed under capital commitments, contingencies and liabilities, as applicable, in compliance with the applicable accounting standards.

    2. Commitments

Capital commitments

The Group has contractual commitments towards capital expenditure (net of related advances paid) of $760m and $303m as of 31 March 2026 and 31 March 2025 respectively.