Airtel Africa has unveiled a $110 million share buyback programme as the telecommunications giant moves to strengthen shareholder returns and position itself ahead of the planned listing of its mobile money arm, Airtel Money.
The company disclosed that the repurchase exercise will cover up to one per cent of its issued share capital, with the programme commencing on May 22, 2026, and expected to run until November 27, 2026, unless concluded earlier.
Under the arrangement, Barclays Capital Securities Limited has been appointed to execute the first phase of the buyback through on-market acquisitions of Airtel Africa shares. The repurchased shares will subsequently be cancelled as part of efforts to optimise the company’s capital structure and improve earnings per share.
The telecom operator stated that Barclays would independently acquire between $50 million and $60 million worth of shares under a non-discretionary mandate, while Airtel Africa retains the right to expand the transaction by an additional $50 million, subject to regulatory approvals.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the development comes as Airtel Africa intensifies preparations for a potential initial public offering of Airtel Money, a move analysts believe could reshape Africa’s fintech investment landscape. The planned IPO is projected to raise between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, with London emerging as the leading destination for the listing.
Industry estimates suggest Airtel Money could command a valuation of up to $10 billion amid rising investor appetite for African digital finance platforms.
Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 African countries, recently posted strong financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, with pretax profit surging to $1.41 billion and revenue climbing to $6.4 billion, driven largely by growth in data services and mobile money operations.
