Getting closer to our customers, wherever they are

Across our markets, demand for data continues to grow fast – even in a year in which many customers felt the pressure of fuel shortages and food price inflation. It shows that if we can stay ahead through the strength of our technology and distribution networks, there is clear potential for future growth.

But everything changes for people – especially, in remote areas – when our network reaches their community.

In 2024/25, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we were able to grow our 4G data customer base by 49.5% to 5.6 million and increase 4G customer penetration as a percentage of our total data customer base to 37.5% – this means that more than one third of our data customers are using 4G technology in the DRC.

This growth in customers came at a time of significant data demand. To support this expansion, we reinforced our 4G network by adding 251 sites in the DRC during the year, while strengthening our ability to get close to customers through our distribution system. Boosting our smartphone offer through competitive pricing has also played an important role in the DRC, alongside the reliability of our network – and we took steps to widen our supplier base and increase the frequency of supplies. These investments have paid off: our total data usage in the DRC increased by 65% to 1.485 million GB.

We’re now serving 18.8 million customers overall in the DRC – including 5.6 million in remote or rural locations where infrastructure is limited or non-existent.

Supporting women entrepreneurs through financial inclusion in Kenya

Lucie Saulinah Omondi is the founder of LiveGreatAgriLife in Nairobi, Kenya, a peanut butter factory and drinking water purification shop. She uses Airtel Money services to help run her business.

“Our business is located in Kibera, the largest informal settlement in Nairobi, where access to clean drinking water and quality food can be a challenge. We are committed to providing our community with delicious and nutritious peanut butter, peanut butter products and safe drinking water. Our peanut butter is made from high-quality locally sourced peanuts and is available in a variety of sizes and tastings. Our drinking water is purified using state-of-the-art filtration systems, ensuring that it is safe and healthy to drink. As a socially responsible business, we’re proud to support a foundation that works to uplift the settlement area where we operate.”

“In four years of learning and overcoming challenges and slow but steady growth, I have been able to build a dedicated team and we’re currently focusing on our online sales. I have to say Airtel Money’s product is a huge support in collecting money for our produce and services.”

We continue getting closer to our customers to ensure that they can always reach us when needed. In Kenya, our Airtel Money branches (AMBs) grew by 6%, SIM-selling outlets (SSO) by 9% and the number of Airtel Money agents increased by 77.9% in 2024/25, providing support to valued customers like Lucie Saulinah Omondi.