Airtel Africa Reduces Diesel Use While Expanding Connectivity Across Africa
Airtel Africa has reduced its diesel consumption by 9.1 million litres during the 2025/26 financial year, marking a significant milestone in the telecommunications group’s efforts to lower its environmental footprint while expanding digital connectivity and financial services across Africa.
Airtel Africa Cuts Diesel Use by 9.1 Million Litres
The savings were achieved by shifting more network infrastructure to lower-carbon energy sources, including converting 390 telecom sites from diesel-powered operations to national electricity grids. The move forms part of the company’s broader strategy to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as demand for digital services continues to grow.
The update was released in Airtel Africa’s latest Sustainability Scorecard, which outlines the company’s progress toward its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments across the 14 African markets where it operates.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said sustainability remains integral to Airtel Africa’s long-term growth strategy, allowing the company to expand access to telecommunications and financial services while reducing its environmental impact.
Cleaner Energy Powers Airtel Africa’s Network Expansion
Alongside cutting diesel use, Airtel said it recycled 94% of the waste generated from its operations during the year, reinforcing its focus on circular economy practices and responsible resource management.
The company also continued to expand its network footprint, with coverage now reaching 81.9% of the population across its markets. The wider reach is expected to improve access to digital services, online education, healthcare information and economic opportunities, particularly in underserved communities.
Airtel Money Growth Strengthens Financial Inclusion
Additionally, financial inclusion remained another key area of growth. Airtel Money increased its customer base to 54.1 million users, supported by a network of 2.4 million agents across the continent. Women accounted for 44.1% of Airtel Money customers, reflecting the platform’s growing role in improving access to formal financial services for female users.
Airtel Foundation Expands Education and Digital Skills Programmes
Beyond its commercial operations, the Airtel Africa Foundation invested US$6.2 million during the financial year to support programmes focused on financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.
Education initiatives also gathered pace through the company’s partnership with UNICEF, which connected 3,296 schools to free internet services. The programme has so far benefited more than 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers, while 64 zero-rated digital learning platforms enabled over 11 million students to access educational content at no cost.
Further, the company also expanded digital skills development, providing technology training to more than 30,000 young people during the year. In addition, it awarded over 250 undergraduate STEM scholarships through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship programme, aimed at helping develop future technology professionals and innovators across the continent.
Sustainability Becomes a Competitive Strategy for African Telecoms
The latest results highlighted how Africa’s telecom operators are increasingly integrating sustainability and social investment into their growth strategies as they expand network infrastructure and digital financial services in fast-growing markets.
Go to ECONEWS.co.ke for more sustainability news from the African continent and across the world.
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