Airtel Africa Cuts Diesel Use by 9.1 Million Litres in Sustainability Drive

By Our Reporter Maurice Momanyi

Nairobi, July 7, 2026 – Airtel Africa reduced its diesel consumption by 9.1 million litres during the 2025/2026 financial year, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to lower its environmental footprint while expanding telecommunications and financial services across the continent.

The savings were achieved by reducing dependence on diesel-powered operations and increasing the use of cleaner energy sources. During the year, the company converted 390 network infrastructure sites to grid electricity, a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and cutting carbon emissions.

Speaking while releasing Airtel Africa’s latest Sustainability Scorecard, Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar said the company remains committed to growing its business responsibly by integrating sustainability into its operations.

As part of its environmental initiatives, Airtel Africa also strengthened its waste management programme, recycling 94 per cent of the waste generated across its operations. The company said these efforts form part of a broader sustainability strategy focused on environmental protection, digital inclusion and long-term socio-economic development.

The telecommunications firm reported that its network now covers 81.9 per cent of the population in the 14 African countries where it operates, expanding access to communication services, digital opportunities and information.

The company also posted growth in its mobile financial services business, with Airtel Money serving 54.1 million customers through a network of 2.4 million agents. Women account for 44.1 per cent of the platform’s customer base, highlighting its growing role in expanding financial inclusion across Africa.

Through the Airtel Africa Foundation, the company invested US$6.2 million in community development programmes focusing on financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.

Its partnership with UNICEF continued to bridge the digital divide in education by connecting 3,296 schools to free internet services, benefiting more than two million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers. In addition, 64 zero-rated digital learning platforms enabled over 11 million students to access educational content at no cost.

The company further reported that more than 30,000 young people received digital skills training during the year, while over 250 students were awarded undergraduate STEM scholarships through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship programme, supporting the development of future technology professionals across the continent.