By Racheal Nagawa | Senior Reporter, Business Express
Airtel Africa has unveiled an ambitious multi-pronged growth strategy across its 14 African markets, signaling plans to list its mobile money business, expand rural connectivity through satellite partnerships, and potentially integrate cryptocurrency and other virtual asset services into its ecosystem.
The strategy reflects the telecom giant’s effort to deepen market penetration, unlock shareholder value, and position itself at the intersection of connectivity and financial technology in some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies.
Satellite Partnership to Close Coverage Gaps
Airtel is currently in advanced discussions with regulators across its footprint to leverage satellite capacity from Starlink. The arrangement is expected to focus on enterprise connectivity through Starlink kits and transmission backhauling—allowing Airtel to extend services into remote and underserved areas beyond the reach of traditional terrestrial infrastructure.
Group Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar, speaking in Nairobi, confirmed that the partnership would enable customers in rural regions to remain connected to Airtel’s network even where physical towers are limited.
In markets such as Kenya—where Safaricom maintains market leadership—Airtel has historically faced challenges linked to patchy rural coverage. According to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, Airtel controls slightly above 30% of the Kenyan telecom market, underscoring the competitive intensity in a sector driven by mobile data and digital payments.
Satellite connectivity has traditionally occupied a niche segment in Kenya. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that satellite internet subscriptions remained below 0.005% of total subscriptions for years, primarily serving NGOs, agribusinesses, tourism operators, and remote institutions.
However, the landscape shifted dramatically following Starlink’s entry into the Kenyan market in 2023. Subscriptions surged sharply, with record year-on-year growth continuing into 2024—marking a clear inflection point for satellite broadband adoption.
For Airtel, leveraging satellite infrastructure offers a capital-light expansion strategy. Rather than building costly new towers in sparsely populated areas, the operator can enhance coverage, improve network reliability, strengthen enterprise offerings, and reduce customer churn in underserved regions.
Ashish Malhotra, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Kenya, described the local telecom market as mature, noting that expanded coverage will be central to sustaining growth.
Mobile Money IPO on the Horizon
Alongside its connectivity push, Airtel confirmed that plans to list its mobile money arm remain firmly on course. Management is currently evaluating potential listing venues, though timelines have not yet been disclosed.
An IPO of Airtel Money would align with a broader continental trend of telecom operators spinning off fintech subsidiaries to unlock value from high-growth digital financial services. Mobile money platforms across Africa have evolved beyond basic peer-to-peer transfers to include savings, micro-lending, merchant payments, insurance products, and cross-border remittances.
Airtel Money operates in a competitive environment shaped by regulatory interoperability requirements and expanding digital ecosystems. A public listing could provide additional capital to scale innovation, enhance compliance frameworks, and expand regional operations.
Exploring Crypto and Virtual Assets
In a further sign of strategic evolution, Airtel has indicated openness to integrating virtual asset services—including stablecoins and cryptocurrency transactions—on a demand-driven basis.
While the company has not provided specific rollout dates, management confirmed that digital asset products remain under consideration as part of its long-term fintech roadmap.
The announcement comes as Kenya formalizes oversight of the digital asset sector. Lawmakers recently passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, establishing a comprehensive licensing and supervisory framework for cryptocurrency businesses. Oversight will involve institutions such as the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority.
Kenya is already recognized as one of Africa’s most active peer-to-peer crypto markets, supported by high mobile money penetration, strong diaspora remittance flows, and a youthful, tech-savvy population.
Positioning for the Future
Taken together, Airtel Africa’s satellite expansion, fintech IPO ambitions, and exploration of digital assets signal a deliberate shift toward ecosystem-driven growth. By integrating connectivity, payments, and emerging financial technologies, the company aims to strengthen its competitive position while responding to evolving consumer demand.
For investors, the strategy highlights three key themes: cost-efficient infrastructure scaling, monetization of fintech assets, and measured entry into regulated digital finance. As regulatory frameworks mature and digital adoption accelerates, Airtel Africa appears poised to deepen its role as both a telecom operator and a financial services enabler across the continent.
About the Author
Racheal Nagawa is the Senior Reporter at Business Express Magazine, specializing in telecommunications, fintech innovation, digital economy trends, and Africa-focused investment developments. She provides in-depth reporting and analysis on the technologies shaping Africa’s economic transformation. This article originally appeared on SA Varsity News
