* This was achieved by reducing reliance on diesel and increasing use of lower-carbon energy sources
* Including the conversion of 390 infrastructure sites to on-grid power during the year — thus improving efficiency and reducing emissions
By Duncan Mlanjira
Airtel Africa reports that it has saved 9.1 million litres of diesel during its just ended 2025/2026 financial year, as part of efforts to drive responsible growth by minimising the environmental impact of its operations.
In a statement, the leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries says this was achieved by reducing reliance on diesel and increasing use of lower-carbon energy sources, including the conversion of 390 infrastructure sites to on-grid power during the year — thus improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sunil Taldar highlighted this achievement during a media roundtable held in Lusaka, Zambia, where he presented the Group’s Sustainability Scorecard and progress towards building a more sustainable, inclusive and connected Africa.
Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar at the media roundtable in Lusaka
“Other initiatives to reduce Airtel Africa’s environmental impact during the year included promoting the circular economy, recycling 94% of total waste generated,” he reports.
“These form part of Airtel Africa’s broader sustainability strategy, which seeks to create long-term value by balancing business growth with environmental stewardship, digital inclusion and socio-economic development.”
Taldar emphasised that responsible growth “remains central to Airtel Africa’s business strategy and is reflected in the company’s ability to extend services and opportunities to millions of people across the continent while advancing sustainability goals”.
Advertisement
The statement also reports that Airtel Africa’s network now reaches 81.9% of the population across its markets, enabling greater access to connectivity, information, education and economic opportunities for individuals and communities.
The company also recorded progress in its efforts to advance financial inclusion as Airtel Money now serves 54.1 million customers through a network of 2.4 million agents — making it one of Africa’s largest digital financial services ecosystems.
“Notably, 44.1% of Airtel Money customers are female, demonstrating the platform’s growing role in empowering women through access to secure, affordable and convenient financial services,” says the statement.
“Beyond connectivity and financial inclusion, Airtel Africa, through its philanthropic arm, Airtel Africa Foundation continued to drive meaningful change across communities in the continent, investing US$6.2 million in priority programmes in four strategic areas — namely Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion.
“Through its partnership with UNICEF, 3,296 schools have been connected to the free internet access, helping to bridge the digital divide and expand access to quality education reaching
over 2 million learners and 38,868 teachers, while 64 zero-rated digital learning platforms enabled more than 11 million learners to access free digital educational content.
“Also, during the year, more than 30,000 young people received digital skills training, while over 250 full undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarships were awarded through the Airtel Africa TechFellowship programme — helping to prepare the next generation of African innovators and technology leaders.
Airtel Africa’s integrated offer provides national and international mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services to over 183.5 million customers.
The company’s strategy is focused on delivering a great customer experience across the entire footprint and increasing digital and financial inclusion to transform lives across Africa, in line with its corporate purpose.
Advertisement