Airtel Money’s initial public listing delayed to H2 2026

Telecoms operator Airtel Africa has postponed the planned listing of its mobile money services to the second half of the year, following ongoing unfavourable macroeconomic conditions. 

According to multiple reports and statements contained in Airtel Africa‘s earnings report for the year ended 31st March, 2026, the planned initial public offering is due to the Middle East war. The telco forecasted a tough environment owing to higher costs arising from the ongoing U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.

Airtel Africa had initially planned to list Airtel Money in the first half of 2026. However, the war has crippled international supply chains with the rising cost of energy and logistics for companies. 

Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer at Airtel Africa, noted that mobile money continues to make strong progress across digital adoption, ecosystem expansion and product innovation. 

He added that ongoing geopolitical developments have affected the projected timing of the mobile money IPO. 

“We have made good progress and remain committed to the listing as market conditions allow, with the intention of undertaking the IPO in the second half of the year,” Taldar said. 

While several firms have also delayed IPOs as the war drives market volatility, the company noted that rising war tensions could likely weigh on its near-term core profit margins.

As part of the IPO, Mobile Money is expected to achieve a higher valuation when it is listed on the London Stock Exchange by the second half of the year. The development is expected to raise about $2 billion and value the mobile money at $10 billion.

Also Read: Airtel Money struggles in Nigeria with $3m revenue in Q1 2026.

Airtel Money earnings 

In the financial year ending 31st March 2026, Airtel Africa’s mobile money recorded $1.36 billion in revenue, signifying a 36.3% year-on-year (YoY) jump in reported currency. 

In Francophone Africa, the company recorded a 38.6% YoY surge to $337 million in revenue, while East Africa contributed the largest revenue share of $1.01 billion. The Nigerian market recorded the least revenue of $9 million, a 113.4% YoY increase. 

Also, the total customer base now stands at 54.1 million, with 40.9 million from the East African markets, 10.5 million from the Francophone African markets and 2.7 million from Nigeria. 

Overall, Airtel mobile money recorded a 14.4% increase in total processed value (TPV) per customer while the service contributed 21.1% to the group’s revenue during the period.

“Customer engagement continues to deepen, with apps transacting customers up 74% and annualised TPV of over $215 billion,” Taldar added.