Data Revolution Reshapes Africa’s Telecom Landscape

African mobile network operators (MNOs) are experiencing a fundamental shift in their revenue streams, with data services and digital financial solutions rapidly overtaking traditional voice calls as the primary growth engines. Recent financial results from industry leaders confirm this trend.

Airtel Africa reported full-year 2026 revenue of USD 6.4 billion, driven by a 35.2% increase in data revenue (constant currency) and a 21.3% expansion in its mobile money user base to 54.1 million. Data now accounts for the largest share of Airtel’s revenue, with each customer consuming an average of 8.9 GB per month.

The transformation is evident across the continent. Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecom operator, reported that data revenue surpassed voice connectivity revenue for the first time in its fiscal year ending March 2026. MTN Group, the largest telecom operator in Africa, also saw significant growth in data and fintech revenues—37.7% and 30%, respectively.

Key Drivers of Change:

1. Rising Smartphone Penetration: With nearly 50% of Airtel’s customer base now using smartphones, access to affordable internet has expanded dramatically.
2. Mobile Money Evolution: Digital financial services have evolved beyond basic transfers into comprehensive platforms offering savings, lending, insurance, and merchant payments—becoming essential components of daily commerce.

This pivot represents a necessary adaptation for telcos facing stagnant voice revenue due to price competition and the rise of over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms like WhatsApp. Data and fintech have emerged as critical new sources of growth in response to these challenges.