Airtel Africa launches $110 million share buyback programme

Airtel Africa has announced a share buyback programme worth up to $110 million as part of efforts to return value to shareholders and strengthen capital efficiency.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued on May 22, 2026, noting that the programme will target up to 1% of its issued share capital. All repurchased shares will be cancelled, effectively reducing the company’s overall share base.

According to the telecoms giant, Barclays Capital Securities Limited will execute the initial phase of the buyback through on-market purchases. Under the arrangement, Barclays will act as a riskless principal, buying shares and later transferring them to Airtel Africa for cancellation.

The programme includes a non-discretionary tranche worth between $50 million and $60 million, while Airtel Africa may also instruct additional discretionary purchases of up to $50 million, subject to regulatory approval.

The buyback is scheduled to run until November 27, 2026, unless terminated earlier, and may be extended in additional tranches depending on the company’s capital plans.

Airtel Africa said the move aligns with its strategy of balancing shareholder returns with continued investment across its African markets.

The development comes as the company advances plans for a potential initial public offering of its Airtel Money business, which could raise between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The fintech unit is reportedly being positioned for a valuation of up to $10 billion amid growing investor interest in African digital payments.

Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 countries across the continent, said its mobile money and data services remain key growth drivers. The company is majority-owned by Bharti Enterprises through its founder Sunil Bharti Mittal, who has also been increasing his stake ahead of the planned listing.

For the year ended March 31, 2026, Airtel Africa reported a 114.67% rise in pretax profit to $1.41 billion, with revenue climbing to $6.4 billion from $4.9 billion in the previous year. Growth was driven by increased data consumption, smartphone penetration, and expansion in mobile financial services.

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