Airtel Africa gets $150 million IFC financing to expand digital infrastructure across Africa

Airtel Africa Plc, the pan-African telecommunications provider and a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecom giant led by billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal, has secured a $150 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand its digital infrastructure, connect more users to high-quality mobile services, and support job creation across its markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The financing, provided to two of Airtel Africa’s subsidiaries, will be deployed over the coming years to upgrade and expand mobile network capacity. The investment is expected to improve access to high-speed data services, particularly in underserved and rural communities, where connectivity remains limited.

Strengthening Airtel Africa’s digital footprint

The funding marks a continuation of the long-standing partnership between Airtel Africa and IFC, aimed at improving access to reliable internet services across the continent. By expanding coverage and enhancing network quality, the initiative is expected to unlock productivity gains across multiple sectors of the economy.

Improved connectivity will enable small businesses to scale operations, allow entrepreneurs to reach broader markets, and provide young people with access to digital tools and opportunities. It also supports livelihoods tied to the digital economy, including mobile money agents, online merchants, and service providers in the informal sector.

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the financing aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to modernize its network and deepen digital inclusion. “Through our ongoing partnership with IFC, we are advancing the expansion and modernisation of our network, underpinning a core pillar of our strategy,” Taldar said. “It also reflects our ambition to accelerate digital inclusion, scale access to digital tools and services, and enable greater economic opportunity for individuals and communities.”

Driving inclusive growth through connectivity

IFC said the investment reflects its broader strategy of supporting digital infrastructure as a driver of inclusive economic growth across emerging markets while helping businesses reach new customers, enable workers to access wider markets, and connect young people to skills and services that shape their future.

He added that IFC’s partnership with Airtel Africa is designed to support infrastructure that translates connectivity into jobs, financial inclusion, and sustained economic growth across the company’s operating markets.

Over the past decade, IFC has committed and mobilized more than $12 billion in the telecommunications, media, and technology sectors across emerging markets, underscoring its role in advancing digital transformation globally.

Supporting long-term investment and expansion

The financing package includes longer-tenor and local-currency components, which are expected to enhance Airtel Africa’s ability to invest sustainably and manage currency risks across its operations. IFC’s continued backing strengthens Airtel Africa’s capacity to scale its infrastructure investments while delivering long-term economic impact across the region.

Airtel Africa, present in 14 Sub-Saharan countries, remains a major telecom force with a growing digital and financial services footprint. Its parent company, Bharti Airtel, led by billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal, ranked 103rd on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with a $24.9 billion net worth and ranks as the world’s third-largest mobile operator by subscribers.

The company continues to focus on expanding access, improving customer experience, and leveraging digital platforms to drive financial inclusion and economic participation.

As demand for connectivity rises, Airtel Africa’s latest financing positions it to accelerate network expansion and play a central role in shaping Africa’s digital future.