New Delhi-based Bharti Airtel has increased its control over Airtel Africa by acquiring an additional 4.45% stake in the company. The Indian telecom giant purchased 163,580,582 new shares on the London Stock Exchange at a share price of £1.32, valuing the new stake at N409.4 billion if converted.
As a result, Bharti Airtel, the majority shareholder in Airtel Africa, has strategically raised its ownership from 57.293% to 61.745% through this latest transaction. Previously, a share buyback program had already nudged its holding from 57.06% to 57.293%. According to corporate disclosures on the NGX website, these shares are now held by Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up to manage such investments.
What this means for Bharti Airtel
This acquisition marks another key milestone in 2025 for Bharti Airtel’s investment strategy in the African telecom market. The London market saw a remarkable 24% year-to-date increase in the company’s stock value as Airtel Africa’s share price on the Nigerian Exchange remained steady in 2025.
Recently, the telecom operator reported a net income of $248 million for the nine months ending December 31, 2024, a dramatic increase from just $2 million in the same period of the previous financial year. This investment is proof of the robust financial growth of Airtel Africa. The strong report is likely to lead to more investor confidence, particularly on the London Stock Exchange, where the stock has gained significant traction.
The use of Airtel Africa Mauritius Limited as the holding vehicle for the shares reflects a structured approach to managing cross-border investments and optimizing corporate governance. Carried out by purchasing new shares on the London Stock Exchange, this move is part of a broader strategy by Bharti Airtel to consolidate its majority stake and leverage the growth potential of the African telecom market.
By boosting its stake to 61.745%, Bharti Airtel not only reinforces its dominant position in Airtel Africa but also signals a strong commitment to the future of the African telecom sector.
Historical context and strategic expansion
This is not Bharti Airtel’s first strategic push into the African market. in 2019, reports emerged that Bharti Airtel was in advanced talks to acquire Kenya’s third-largest telco, Telkom Kenya. The potential deal was seen as a critical step in strengthening its foothold on the continent, particularly in Kenya, where Safaricom dominates with a 64.2% market share.
Bharti Airtel’s current increase in its Airtel Africa stake builds on these earlier strategic moves. The additional shares not only reinforce its control over Airtel Africa currently operating in 14 African countries with a customer base of around 94 million but also signal a readiness to capture further growth as the company works toward expanding its reach to over 100 million customers.
With these calculated moves, Bharti Airtel not only secures its current position but also paves the way for a more influential role in shaping the future of telecommunications across Africa.
See also: Is Uber planning to dump its commission model for subscriptions in emerging markets like Nigeria?
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