The telecom giant reports major gains in energy efficiency, waste recycling, financial inclusion, and digital education as it advances its environmental and social impact agenda.
Airtel Africa has announced significant progress in its sustainability strategy after reducing diesel consumption by 9.1 million litres during the 2025/26 financial year, marking one of the company’s biggest environmental milestones to date.
The achievements were unveiled during a media roundtable in Lusaka, where Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, presented the company’s latest Sustainability Scorecard. The report highlights advances across environmental stewardship, digital connectivity, financial inclusion, education, and community development.
The reduction in diesel usage comes as Airtel Africa continues expanding its network across the continent. The company now reaches 81.9% of Africa’s population and serves 183.5 million customers, including 84.2 million data subscribers.
Its digital financial services arm, Airtel Money, has also continued its rapid growth, reaching 54.1 million customers supported by a network of 2.4 million agents. Women account for 44.1% of Airtel Money users, reflecting the company’s efforts to expand access to financial services for underserved populations.
Beyond connectivity, Airtel Africa reported achieving a 94% waste recycling rate, underscoring its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations while supporting long-term business growth.
In Zambia, the company highlighted several education-focused initiatives delivered in partnership with UNICEF. Airtel has connected 300 schools to the internet, providing more than 292,000 students and over 5,000 teachers with access to digital learning resources.
The company’s School Adoption Programme has further invested in classroom infrastructure, computer laboratories, internet connectivity, and sanitation facilities across several communities, helping improve learning environments and support the country’s digital education agenda.
According to Airtel Africa, sustainability remains central to its long-term growth strategy. The company says improving energy efficiency, expanding digital infrastructure, and promoting financial inclusion are key pillars of its mission to deliver lasting economic and social impact across the 14 African markets where it operates.
The latest sustainability results reflect a broader trend among African telecommunications companies, which are increasingly balancing network expansion with investments in cleaner operations, digital inclusion, and community development as demand for connectivity continues to grow.
