2.4 million Africans Earn through Airtel Money as Transactions Hit $196bn

By Àkànní Olúwaségún Michael

Airtel Africa says 2.4 million people across its markets now earn income through its Airtel Money agent network.

The telecoms and fintech group disclosed in its 2026 Annual Report that its active Airtel Money agent network grew by 664,000 during the year to reach 2.4 million agents, making it one of the largest financial services distribution networks on the continent.

The expansion comes as mobile money continues to gain traction across sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of consumers rely on agents for cash deposits, withdrawals, transfers and access to other financial services.

According to the company, the growth in agent numbers was driven by improvements to its digital onboarding process and continued investment in distribution infrastructure.

“The number of active agents in our network increased by 664,000, reaching a total of 2.4 million, driven by an improved digitised agent onboarding process,” the report stated.

The enlarged network supported strong growth across Airtel Money’s operations during the financial year.

The company reported that Airtel Money customers increased by 21.3% to 54.1 million, while total transaction value processed through the platform rose to $196 billion.

Revenue generated by the mobile money business climbed to $1.355 billion, representing a 36.3% increase year-on-year and accounting for more than one-fifth of Airtel Africa’s total revenue.

Airtel said strengthening its agent network remains central to expanding financial access across its markets.

“By strengthening our distribution, we expand access to our services, reinforcing our market presence and extending customer reach,” the company stated.

Why the agent network matters

Agent networks remain the backbone of Africa’s mobile money ecosystem, particularly in regions where access to traditional banking infrastructure remains limited.

Through the Airtel Money platform, agents earn commissions from facilitating financial transactions including cash-in, cash-out services, person-to-person transfers, merchant payments, bill settlements and other digital financial services.

The network effectively serves as a bridge between cash-based economies and digital finance, allowing millions of customers to participate in the formal financial system without requiring access to conventional bank branches.

The growth in Airtel’s distribution footprint also reflects rising demand for digital financial services across the continent.

Airtel noted that merchant and biller transaction value increased by 44% during the year as more businesses adopted digital payment solutions.

“Across sub-Saharan Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of the economy and at the leading edge of the transition to a digital financial ecosystem,” the company said.

The bigger picture

The latest figures show the economic significance of mobile money beyond financial inclusion.

With 2.4 million active agents, Airtel Money has created one of Africa’s largest micro-entrepreneurship ecosystems, providing income opportunities for millions of individuals who operate as independent agents within local communities.

The network’s growth also coincides with increasing adoption of mobile-based financial services across Africa, where telecom operators are becoming major players in payments, savings, lending and insurance.

For many African economies grappling with high youth unemployment and limited formal-sector job creation, mobile money agent networks have emerged as an important source of self-employment and small business growth.

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), greater access to digital payments can improve cash flow management, enhance transaction transparency and open pathways to credit and other financial products. This is particularly important in sub-Saharan Africa, where SMEs account for a significant share of employment and economic activity.

Airtel described mobile money as a key driver of financial transformation across the continent.

“Mobile money is transforming the financial landscape in sub-Saharan Africa, digitising cash-based economies and advancing financial inclusion,” the company said.

As Airtel Money continues to scale, the company is expected to deepen its investment in agent expansion, merchant acquisition and digital financial products, further strengthening its position in Africa’s rapidly growing fintech sector.