The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will provide a loan of $150 million to Airtel Africa to support the mobile operator's network rollout.The financing will enable the operator to expand digital infrastructure, connect more people to quality mobile services, and support job creation in Africa.According to the IFC, the loan will support two of Airtel Africa's subsidiaries to expand and upgrade mobile networks over the coming years. The two markets were not named.In total, Airtel provides telecoms services across 14 African countries, including Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.The investment will support Airtel's ambitions to connect more underserved communities.“Through our ongoing partnership with IFC, we are advancing the expansion and modernization of our network, underpinning a core pillar of our strategy,” said Sunil Taldar, CEO, Airtel Africa. “It also reflects our ambition to accelerate digital inclusion, scale access to digital tools and services, and enable greater economic opportunity for individuals and communities.”Dan Croft, acting regional manager for infrastructure in Eastern Africa, IFC, added: “Stronger networks help businesses reach new customers, enable workers to access wider markets, and connect young people to skills and services that shape their future. Through IFC’s partnership with Airtel Africa, we are supporting the infrastructure that translates connectivity into jobs, inclusion, and sustained growth across Airtel Africa’s markets.”The loan comes weeks after Airtel's Indian parent company Bharti Airtel announced shareholder approval to expand its stake in its African subsidiary Airtel Africa.Founded in 2010, Airtel Africa serves around 185 million customers across the continent.