Airtel Africa intends to list its mobile money division, Airtel Money, in the first half of 2026, aiming to leverage the rising demand for digital payment services throughout the continent.
Airtel confirmed the listing plan on Thursday, responding to the increasing investor interest in Africa’s fintech sector, especially mobile payment platforms that provide millions of unbanked individuals with access to transactions, credit, and remittances. Airtel Africa, which is listed in London and operates across 14 African countries, told Reuters that the IPO would grant Airtel Money the independence and visibility needed to scale its operations.
The planned IPO marks Airtel Money’s effort to close the gap with competitors such as Safaricom’s M-Pesa and MTN’s MoMo in the fast-growing digital payments market. By gaining autonomy and raising capital through the IPO, Airtel Money aims to compete with industry leaders that benefit from large user bases and strong market penetration.
Although the company did not reveal the exchange or fundraising target, it reiterated its plan to go public, first announced in 2024 when it began exploring a potential spin-off of the rapidly growing unit. The initial target for the IPO was set for July 2025.
“We are committed to the IPO timeline of July. We still have six months to figure out the details for it,” said Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa CEO, in January. “Our overall priority remains to invest in the strong growth of the business.”
Airtel Money has become a key growth driver for the group, with revenues from the service increasing by 20.7% in 2024. The platform processed $112 billion in transaction value last year, fueled by growing adoption in key markets.
Airtel is betting that a standalone listing will boost Airtel Money’s expansion in countries like Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo markets where mobile money usage is rising but still far from saturated. With over 30 million active users across 14 markets and partnerships with banks, Airtel Money aims to compete with regional rivals like Kenya’s Safaricom and South Africa’s.
Despite its rapid growth, Airtel Money still has ground to cover. Safaricom’s M-Pesa remains dominant in Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania, processing over $300 billion annually and being the preferred mobile transaction platform for many households and businesses. MTN’s MoMo has a broader presence across West and Central Africa. M-Pesa boasts around 66.2 million active users, while MoMo has 65 million.
