Airtel Nigeria has emerged as the biggest growth engine for Airtel Africa in the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, delivering a 50 percent increase in reported revenue to $498 million, as stronger customer growth, higher data consumption and improved exchange rate conditions boosted the telecom operator’s performance.
According to Airtel Africa’s financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, Nigeria generated the largest revenue contribution across the group’s 14 African markets which reinforces its strategic importance despite operating in one of the continent’s most competitive telecom markets.
On a constant currency basis, which excludes the effects of foreign exchange movements, revenue from Nigeria grew 29.4 percent year-on-year.
However, the appreciation of the naira against the U.S. dollar lifted reported revenue growth to 50 percent, reflecting a favourable currency environment compared with the same period last year.
The Nigerian business posted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $292 million, up 58.2 percent from $185 million a year earlier, while EBITDA margin expanded to 58.8 percent from 55.7 percent, indicating improved operational efficiency and profitability.
