Airtel Africa Targets Airtel Money IPO in 2026
Airtel Africa plans to list its mobile money division, Airtel Money, in the first half of 2026. This decision comes amid rising demand for digital payment services across Africa. The company wants to leverage this trend to fuel growth.
Responding to increased investor interest in fintech, Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 African countries and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, said the IPO would give Airtel Money greater independence. This independence will help it scale faster and improve market visibility.
Airtel Africa Competing with Mobile Money Giants
The IPO is a clear move to close the gap with competitors like Safaricom’s M-Pesa and MTN’s MoMo. By becoming a standalone entity, Airtel Money aims to raise new capital. This funding will support product innovation, market expansion and compete better in Africa’s digital payments space.
Although Airtel has not revealed where it will list or how much it plans to raise, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the IPO. The plan was first announced in 2024. Initially, the target date was July 2025, but now it’s set for early 2026.
Sunil Taldar, Airtel Africa CEO, emphasized their focus on growth. He said in January, “We are committed to the IPO timeline of July. We still have six months to figure out the details for it. Our overall priority remains to invest in the strong growth of the business.”
Airtel Money’s Rapid Growth in Africa
Airtel Money has become a significant growth driver for the group. In 2024, its revenues grew by 20.7%. The platform processed $112 billion in transactions last year. This success is largely due to rising adoption in markets such as Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Airtel plans to use the IPO to expand in these countries further. Although mobile money use is growing, many of these markets remain underserved. With over 30 million active users and strong banking partnerships, Airtel Money aims to increase its reach and influence.
Airtel Facing Strong Competition
Despite its growth, Airtel Money faces stiff competition. Safaricom’s M-Pesa leads in Kenya and Tanzania. It processes over $300 billion annually and remains the preferred platform for many users. M-Pesa has about 66.2 million active users.
MTN’s MoMo is widely used across West and Central Africa, with around 65 million active users. Airtel Money’s IPO hopes to attract the capital needed to innovate and grow. This will help it compete with these established players.
Conclusion: IPO to Boost Airtel Money’s Expansion
Airtel’s plan to spin off Airtel Money via an IPO highlights the growing importance of mobile payments in Africa. The standalone listing will give Airtel Money access to capital markets. This should accelerate its growth and competitiveness.
As Africa’s fintech sector rapidly evolves. The IPO scheduled for 2026 is a major step toward that future.
