The pilot, conducted in Kenya, demonstrated that users in areas without any terrestrial mobile signal could seamlessly access communication services using standard 4G smartphones, marking a breakthrough in the evolution of mobile networks across the continent.

Extending Coverage Beyond Towers

Unlike traditional telecom infrastructure that depends on ground-based towers, the Starlink Mobile system operates as a cell tower in space, connecting devices directly to a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites.

During the trial, users in remote locations were able to:

• Send and receive messages
• Make WhatsApp calls
• Access navigation tools such as maps
• Use apps like Facebook Messenger
• Complete financial transactions via Airtel services

The ability to perform mobile money transactions in no-network zones highlights the potential impact on Africa’s fast-growing digital economy.

Executive Insight

Commenting on the development, Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, said:

“We are thrilled to move from announcement to actionable steps with our partners at SpaceX. This testing phase in Kenya is a testament to our commitment to expanding global access. By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network.”

What This Means for Africa’s 14 Markets

Airtel Africa operates in 14 countries across the continent, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, many of which still face significant rural connectivity challenges.

Closing the Coverage Gap

Satellite-to-mobile technology eliminates the need for costly infrastructure in sparsely populated regions, enabling operators to extend services to previously unreachable areas.

Boosting Financial Inclusion

With mobile money services forming a critical part of Airtel Africa’s offerings, always-on connectivity, even in remote zones, could significantly improve transaction reliability and user trust.

Redefining Telecom Competition

This move places Airtel Africa at the forefront of innovation, potentially prompting other operators to explore similar satellite partnerships to remain competitive.

Industry Perspective

According to telecom analysts, the development signals a structural shift in how networks are designed and deployed:

“Satellite-to-mobile is no longer experimental, it is becoming a practical extension of terrestrial networks. For Africa, this could accelerate universal access faster than traditional infrastructure rollouts ever could,” said a Lagos-based telecom industry expert.

Another analyst noted:

“The real value lies in hybrid networks. Operators like Airtel Africa can optimise costs by using terrestrial infrastructure where viable and satellite where it isn’t.”

Regulatory and Deployment Challenges

Despite its promise, scaling the service across Airtel Africa’s footprint will depend on:

• Regulatory approvals in each country
• Spectrum coordination policies
• Frameworks for non-terrestrial network integration

Markets with forward-looking telecom regulations are expected to adopt the technology faster.

Current Limitations and What’s Next

While the test marks a milestone, the current capabilities remain limited to light data usage. However, both partners have outlined plans to introduce voice calling services; expand data capacity, and deploy Starlink Mobile V2, enabling broadband-level connectivity directly to smartphones

Possible challenges Following 5G Experience

Drawing from Africa’s uneven 5G experience, the Airtel–Starlink Mobile development is promising, but consumers are likely to face a familiar set of challenges as satellite-to-mobile scales across markets.

One of the biggest setbacks during 5G rollout, especially in markets like Nigeria and Kenya, was cost, 5G-enabled devices were initially expensive, data plans carried premium pricing

For satellite-to-mobile, pricing models are still unclear; operators may introduce premium out-of-coverage tariffs, and cost per MB could be significantly higher than terrestrial data.

The consumer risk here is that the people who need it most (rural users) may struggle to afford it.

Also, with 5G, many users discovered their phones were not compatible, or lacked full band support. Although Starlink Mobile works with standard LTE devices, in practice, not all 4G phones may deliver optimal performance, battery drain could increase due to satellite signal acquisition, and older smartphones may experience degraded service.

5G in Africa launched with expectations of ultra-fast speeds, but reality included limited coverage zones, and inconsistent performance.

Similarly, current satellite-to-mobile tests support messaging, light apps like WhatsApp, maps, but not streaming, heavy downloads and real-time gaming.

Therefore, expectation vs reality gap; users may assume full broadband capability too early.

Even with improved low-Earth orbit systems signal can be affected by weather or obstructions; latency is still higher than terrestrial LTE/5G, and indoor usage may be weak or unavailable

This mirrors early 5G complaints about patchy signals, and unstable connections. So, inconsistent user experience, especially indoors or in dense environments, are other likely challenges.

Airtel and Starlink should also be concerned over regulatory delays and fragmented availability. 5G rollout across Africa was slowed by spectrum allocation delays, and policy uncertainty.

For satellite-to-mobile, this could be even more complex: Each country must approve satellite-terrestrial integration, and policies differ widely across Airtel Africa’s footprint.  In other words, service may launch in Kenya but take years to reach markets like Chad or Niger.

Digital literacy and awareness gap: During 5G rollout, many users didn’t understand what 5G offered while some saw no reason to upgrade.

Satellite-to-mobile could face similar issues where users may not know when or how to switch to satellite mode, and possible confusion between terrestrial vs satellite performance.

Simply put, underutilisation or misuse of the service may affect return on investment (ROI).

A less discussed 5G issue was, increased battery consumption. Satellite connectivity may require more power to maintain signal lock and impact users in rural areas where electricity is already limited hence connectivity without reliable power becomes a trade-off.

With new technologies, trust becomes critical. 5G faced misinformation and skepticism and satellite networks may raise concerns around data routing or cross-border data governance.

Suffice to say that hesitation in adopting services like mobile banking over satellite links.

The Bigger Picture: A New Connectivity Model

The Airtel Africa–Starlink collaboration could usher in a layered network model for Africa:

• Urban areas powered by fiber and 4G/5G
• Semi-urban regions supported by traditional mobile infrastructure
• Remote locations connected via satellite-to-mobile

That said, the successful test in Kenya underscores a transformative moment for Africa’s telecom sector. By integrating satellite connectivity into its network strategy, Airtel Africa is not only enhancing service reach but also advancing digital and financial inclusion across the continent.

As deployment expands across its 14 markets, the initiative could redefine how connectivity is delivered, bringing millions of underserved Africans into the digital economy and setting a new benchmark for telecom innovation.

The Group’s consistent execution of its customer-focused strategy resulted in solid growth across key metrics, further strengthening its role as a leading telecom and mobile money provider in Africa.

Operational Highlights

• Customer Base Growth: Airtel Africa’s total customer base rose by 9% year-on-year to 4 million, driven by strategic expansion and a commitment to closing the digital divide.
• Surge in Data Adoption: Data customers grew by 4% to 75.6 million, with data usage up 47.4%, reflecting growing smartphone adoption (now at 45.9%) and network reliability. Data ARPU rose by 18.5% in constant currency.
• Mobile Money Momentum: Airtel Money customers grew by 1% to 45.8 million, with annualised transaction values increasing 35% to $162 billion. Mobile money ARPU grew 11.3%, as customers engaged more with financial services.
• Network Expansion: Airtel added 2,300 new sites, increasing its total to 37,579, and extended its fibre network by 2,700km, enhancing 4G coverage to 7%.

Financial Performance

• Revenue Growth: Group revenue rose by 9% in constant currency and 22.4% in reported currency, reaching $1.415 billion. The acceleration was fuelled by tariff adjustments in Nigeria and strong performance in Francophone markets.
• Mobile Services: Mobile service revenue increased 8%, with voice and data contributing 13.9% and 38.1% growth respectively.
• Mobile Money Revenue: Saw a 3% growth in constant currency, driven by product expansion and customer growth.
• EBITDA Performance: EBITDA rose by 8% to $679 million, with margins expanding to 48.0%, aided by stable fuel prices and continued cost optimisation.
• Profit After Tax: Jumped to $156 million from $31 million in Q1 2025, boosted by operating gains and favourable FX movement in the CFA region.
• Earnings Per Share (EPS): Basic EPS rose to 4 cents, up from 0.2 cents, highlighting strong bottom-line improvement.

Capital and Investment Focus

• Airtel spent $121 million in capital expenditure, with full-year guidance maintained at $725m–$750m.
• The Group continued its debt localisation strategy, now with 95% of OpCo debt in local currency (up from 86%).
• Leverage increased to 2x due to lease revaluations, while lease-adjusted leverage remained steady at 0.9x.
• Share Buyback: $16.9 million returned to shareholders via purchase of 7.1 million shares under its $55 million programme.

Commenting on the results, Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, said:

“We are very pleased with our strong growth this quarter. The 9% expansion in customer base and 17.4% increase in data users show our strategic focus on digitisation and customer experience is working. Our AI-powered Airtel Spam Alert service is one example of how we’re enhancing network trust and accelerating smartphone adoption.

Mobile Money remains central to our growth story. With nearly 46 million customers and $162 billion in annualised transaction value, we are advancing financial inclusion across our markets.

Our 24.9% constant currency revenue growth, coupled with rising margins and cost efficiencies, reflects our ability to deliver consistent value despite macroeconomic headwinds. Backed by a strong balance sheet and continued investment, we’re confident in our path forward to support digital and financial empowerment across Africa.”

The weeklong annual celebration highlights Airtel’s dedication to recognizing and appreciating its customers, who are at the heart of the company’s operations.

Speaking at the launch of Customer Service Week, during a groupwide Employee Townhall, Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa CEO, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing superior experience and enhancing the customer journey across all touchpoints.

“At Airtel, our customers are at the heart of everything we do; they are the reason we exist. Our commitment to delivering excellence in customer experience is unwavering, and we continue to invest in innovative solutions and dedicated teams to meet and exceed customer expectations,” said Mr. Taldar.

During the Week, all employees across the functions are encouraged to go out in the field to engage with our customers to understand their expectations and engage with the customer-facing teams to know how best to support them to serve the customers”.

Key Initiatives for Customer Service Excellence:

1. Enhanced Digital Platforms: Airtel continues to upgrade its digital platforms, making it easier for customers to access services, resolve issues, and provide feedback.
2. 24/7 Customer Support: The company has strengthened its customer service team, providing round-the-clock support through multiple channels, including phone, chat, and social media.
3. Personalized Customer Engagement: Airtel is leveraging data and analytics to offer personalized solutions, ensuring each customer’s needs are met promptly and effectively.
4. Customer Feedback Integration: The company actively listens to customer feedback and incorporates suggestions into service improvements, reinforcing its customer-first approach.

“Our goal is to be the most customer-centric telecommunications company, where every interaction leaves our customers delighted and valued. This Customer Service Week is not just about celebrating our customers but also about recommitting ourselves to the highest standards of service excellence,” the CEO added.

As Airtel continues to drive innovation and expand its offerings, the company remains focused on building lasting relationships with its over 160m customers in its 14 markets in Africa, ensuring they remain at the core of its strategic decisions.

This year’s theme, “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage,” emphasizes a challenge that is both critical and urgent ensuring every child has access to quality education guided by dedicated and empowered educators.

At Airtel Africa, we deeply appreciate the pivotal role that teachers play in shaping our future. They are the backbone of society, equipping our children with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Teachers are not just instructors; they are mentors, role models, and catalysts for innovation and change. Indeed, for effective learning to take place, there must be committed, trained, and motivated teachers in the value chain.

The Power of Education

Education is the cornerstone of societal growth and individual empowerment. It unlocks opportunities, breaks the cycle of poverty, and drives economic progress. At the heart of this transformative power are teachers—dedicated professionals who inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, and instill confidence in the next generation.

However, teachers are often faced with daunting challenges, including resource constraints, large class sizes, and limited access to technology and training. Despite these obstacles, they show resilience and commitment to their students, often going above and beyond their call of duty.

Airtel Africa’s Commitment to Education

At Airtel Africa, we believe in the power of education to change lives, and we are committed to supporting teachers and students across the continent.

Through our initiatives, such as the “Airtel Africa Free Education” program in partnership with UNICEF, we are providing millions of children with access to free, quality digital learning content. We understand that technology can be a great enabler in education, bridging gaps in access and enhancing the learning experience.

We are also proud to support teachers by providing digital tools and training that help them adapt to the evolving needs of 21st-century classrooms.

Our goal is to empower educators with the resources they need to deliver effective and engaging learning experiences.

Since the launch of the Airtel Africa-UNICEF partnership, we have trained over 15,000 teachers across Africa-and an additional 8500 will be trained in the 3rd year.

In general terms, we have so far connected 1900 schools to the internet and zero rated 28 websites connecting nearly a million children across 13 of our markets with access to digital education, once a luxury only affordable to the more privileged.

Empowering the Educators of Tomorrow

Investing in teachers is not just about recognizing their hard work but about equipping them for the future.

We need to prioritize teacher training, professional development, and access to technology. By investing in our educators, we invest in our children’s futures and, ultimately, in the prosperity of our nations.

As stated above, we have invested significant resources in training and up-skilling teachers to make them better enable to discharge their responsibilities to their students.

Governments, private sector partners, and communities must work together to create supportive environments where teachers can thrive. It’s imperative that we address the teacher shortage, enhance working conditions, and offer continuous professional development opportunities.

It’s imperative that teachers are purposively considered in planning and budgeting for education being a critical component of the ecosystem.

As the world continues to develop technologically, teachers must be empowered to cope with the emerging complexities and become future proof to deliver on their personal objectives and collective obligations to the students and their parents.

A Call to Action

As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting teachers and ensuring they have the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve. Teachers are the architects of our future, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are equipped, empowered, and inspired.

On behalf of Airtel Africa, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers for their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts. You are the heroes of education, and today, we honour you.

Let us continue to work together to create a world where every teacher feels valued, every student has access to quality education, and every community thrives through the power of learning.

We will continue to build on our commitment to supporting the various governments and institutions to improve the lives of teachers and indeed the standards of teaching and learning.

To our teachers, I thank you for all you do and wish you Happy World Teachers’ Day!

Sunil Taldar is the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa.

This year, MWC Kigali will bring together powerful innovators and political leaders to explore new opportunities that drive digital growth and accelerate socio-economic development across the continent. 

This edition will feature a range of keynotes and panel sessions, centred around four main themes: Connected Continent, The AI Future, FinTech, and Africa’s Digital DNA.

Recently confirmed speakers include Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar; Amini’s Founder & CEO, Kate Kallot;  the GSMA’s Director General, Mats Granryd; the ITU’s Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin; Lelapa AI’s CEO and Co-founder, Pelonomi Moiloa; MTN Group’s FinTech CEO, Serigne Dioum; Republic of Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Hon. Paula Ingabire; Take Back the Mic’s CEO & Founder, Derrick Ashong and, Wi-Flix’s CEO, Louis Manu.

For the first time in Africa, the GSMA Ministerial Programme will be hosted at MWC Kigali, marking a new chapter in the commitment to advancing the digital agenda in Africa. 

The programme will convene the most influential telecommunications leaders from across the African continent to discuss policy and regulatory topics key to the region.

The Mobile for Development (M4D) team will once again play a central role at the event, driving innovation in digital technology to reduce global inequalities. M4D will host the ‘Mobile for Development Theatre’, a dedicated space for keynote sessions, panels, and discussions.

Themes will range from AI for impact and humanitarian innovation, agriculture and climate, to digital inclusion and gender. Also returning this year is the Mobile Money Leadership Forum, which will explore key trends and innovations in mobile financial services.

The MWC Kigali 2024 keynotes will cover some of Africa’s most pressing digital connectivity issues. Keynote 1 will discuss how digital technologies are driving socio-economic development in Africa to address the continent’s unique challenges. 

Keynote 2 will focus on the transformative potential of AI, including how it can drive sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa. Keynote 3 will see speakers explore the rapid evolution of Africa’s Fintech landscape and the technologies impacting investment opportunities. 

Keynote 4 will explore how the evolving content landscape is allowing African content creators to be heard and celebrated globally. 

An agenda of GSMA Summits will be hosted during the event, inviting industry leaders and policymakers to discover the issues affecting enterprises in areas from network security to diversity in tech: 

• The Security Summit will tackle the most pressing security challenges mobile network operators face today, in the context of a rapidly evolving cyber risk landscape. 
• The Digital Summit will explore the digital economy’s potential in Africa, exploring how digital technologies and policy reform can drive significant socio-economic growth in Africa. 
• The AI Summit will cover both the vast potential and the associated risks of AI technologies in Africa, as the technology’s prevalence grows in the global economy. 
• The 5G Summit will address the barriers preventing the technology’s widespread adoption and ways to unlock its potential for both enterprises and consumers. 
• The Diversity for Tech Summit will focus on the urgent need for greater disability inclusion in Africa’s tech sector, ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. 

MWC Kigali is held alongside the Africa Health Tech Summit and FEWA (Future of Education and Work in Africa), offering an in-depth exploration of connectivity challenges and opportunities in the health and education sectors. 

The programme has gained support from a lineup of sponsors, exhibitors and event partners, including Africa CDC, Africa Union, Huawei, inABLE, MTN, the Republic of Rwanda, Smart Africa and ZTE.

How to Register

To attend the MWC Kigali 2024, visit the website.

Concurrently, the company disclosed the appointment of Sunil Taldar as the incoming Chief Executive Officer. This transition is slated to occur on July 1, 2024, after a transition period during which Taldar will join the Board as an Executive Director.

Sunil Taldar, who assumed the role of Director – Transformation at Airtel Africa in October 2023, has been entrusted with key responsibilities, overseeing strategic initiatives aimed at transforming the company’s business and operations.

With over 30 years of experience in business management within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Telecommunications sectors, Taldar brings extensive expertise, including a 15-year tenure as a member of the Bharti Airtel Management Board.

In recognition of his impactful leadership during his tenure as CEO, Ogunsanya will transition to a new role as the inaugural Chair of the Airtel Africa Charitable Foundation. This foundation, endowed with a separate legal identity, aims to accelerate the company’s commitment to sustainability initiatives and charitable operations across its African locations. The foundation’s objectives will focus on digital inclusion, financial inclusion, access to education, and environmental protection.

Upon his retirement, Ogunsanya has also committed to providing advisory support to the Chairman, the Airtel Africa Board, and the Chief Executive Officer for a 12-month period, showcasing a seamless leadership transition.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Airtel Africa plc, expressed gratitude to Ogunsanya for his significant contributions, citing the sustained double-digit revenue growth and innovative product offerings under his leadership. Chairman Mittal expressed confidence in Taldar’s capabilities, emphasizing his strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and proven track record of delivery as essential assets for leading the company in its next developmental stages.

Ogunsanya, reflecting on his over 12-year career at Airtel Africa, expressed pride in the positive transformations achieved for customers across the continent. As he steps into a new chapter, Ogunsanya articulated his ambition to contribute to the empowerment of Africans through digital and financial inclusion in capacities extending beyond the traditional for-profit organizational boundaries.