Airtel Africa Cuts Diesel Consumption by 9.1 Million Litres, Reaffirms Sustainability Drive

Airtel Africa Plc said it saved 9.1 million litres of diesel during its 2025/2026 financial year as part of its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations while pursuing sustainable business growth.

The telecommunications company said the achievement resulted from measures aimed at reducing dependence on diesel-powered infrastructure and increasing the use of lower-carbon energy sources. During the period, it converted 390 network sites to on-grid power, a move it said improved operational efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, disclosed this during a media roundtable in Lusaka, where he presented the company’s Sustainability Scorecard and outlined progress towards advancing environmental sustainability, digital inclusion and socio-economic development across its markets.

According to Taldar, responsible growth remains central to Airtel Africa’s corporate strategy, enabling the company to expand access to telecommunications and financial services while reducing its environmental footprint.

As part of its environmental initiatives, the company said it recycled 94 per cent of the waste generated across its operations during the financial year, in line with its commitment to promoting a circular economy and improving resource efficiency.

The company also reported continued expansion of its network, which now covers 81.9 per cent of the population across its 14 African markets, increasing access to connectivity, digital services and economic opportunities.

In the area of financial inclusion, Airtel Africa said its mobile money platform, Airtel Money, now serves 54.1 million customers through a network of 2.4 million agents, making it one of the continent’s largest digital financial services platforms.

The company added that women account for 44.1 per cent of Airtel Money customers, reflecting efforts to expand access to secure and affordable financial services for underserved populations.

Through the Airtel Africa Foundation, the company said it invested $6.2 million during the year in programmes focused on financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.

It also highlighted its partnership with UNICEF, through which 3,296 schools were connected to free internet services, benefiting more than two million learners and 38,868 teachers. In addition, 64 zero-rated digital learning platforms provided free educational content to over 11 million learners.

According to the company, more than 30,000 young people received digital skills training during the year, while over 250 undergraduate scholarships in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) were awarded through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship programme to support the development of future technology professionals.