Airtel Africa is rapidly scaling its infrastructure as rising data consumption reshapes Africa’s telecom landscape, expanding its fibre network to 81,500 kilometres to support growing demand. The investment underscores how operators are racing to strengthen capacity and coverage as mobile data becomes the dominant driver of revenue and customer growth across the continent, according to disclosures in Airtel Africa’s latest operational update and telecom infrastructure trends.

Why fibre network expansion is central to Airtel Africa’s strategy

The expansion of Airtel Africa’s fibre footprint reflects an accelerated capital expenditure strategy aimed at future-proofing its network. During the nine months ending December 31, 2025, the company added roughly 4,000 kilometers of fibre, taking total network length beyond 81,500 kilometers. Over the same period, capital expenditure rose to $603 million, representing a 32.2 percent increase compared with the prior year.

This investment is closely tied to Airtel Africa’s expanding customer base, which reached 179.4 million across 14 African markets. As more customers come online and existing users consume more data, fibre network expansion has become essential to maintaining service quality and reducing congestion. Fibre infrastructure strengthens backhaul capacity, improves latency, and supports higher data speeds, enabling mobile and fixed networks to scale efficiently.

The strategy also reflects a structural shift in telecom economics. Voice revenues are increasingly stable or declining, while data services are driving growth. Airtel Africa reported a 14.6 percent increase in data customers, bringing the total to 81.8 million. Average monthly data usage per customer rose sharply, from 6.9GB to 8.6GB, highlighting how smartphones and digital services are changing consumption patterns. With smartphone penetration now at 48.1 percent, the company is building capacity in anticipation of continued adoption and heavier usage.

How fibre network expansion supports data-led revenue growth

Data services have become Airtel Africa’s largest revenue contributor, growing 36.5 percent in constant currency during the period. This performance was supported not only by higher usage but also by improved monetization, with data average revenue per user increasing 16.6 percent. Fibre network expansion plays a critical role in sustaining this growth, providing the backbone needed to deliver reliable high-speed connectivity at scale.

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Nigeria illustrates the trend. The company reported a 26.2 percent jump in average monthly data usage per customer in the country, reaching 10.7GB. This surge places additional strain on network capacity and reinforces the importance of long-term infrastructure investment. Without expanded fibre backhaul and core capacity, maintaining performance levels would be difficult as demand accelerates.

Beyond fibre, Airtel Africa is also diversifying its connectivity approach. The company has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite services, which allow data and messaging access in areas without terrestrial network coverage. By combining fibre network expansion with satellite connectivity, Airtel Africa is addressing both urban capacity constraints and rural coverage gaps. This layered approach reflects a broader industry shift toward hybrid networks that blend terrestrial and satellite infrastructure.

For investors and policymakers, the expansion highlights the scale of investment required to support Africa’s digital economy. Rising data consumption fuels economic activity, from mobile payments to e-commerce and digital services, but it also demands sustained capital commitment. Airtel Africa’s strategy suggests that operators view network investment not as discretionary spending but as a prerequisite for long-term competitiveness.

As data demand continues to grow, fibre network expansion will remain a cornerstone of telecom strategy across the continent. Airtel Africa’s accelerated build-out positions it to capture future growth while reinforcing the infrastructure needed to support Africa’s digital transformation.