Airtel Africa has announced plans to take its mobile money platform, Airtel Money, public in the first half of 2026. The move is part of a broader push to become a serious contender in Africa’s competitive fintech market, currently led by Safaricom’s M-Pesa and MTN’s MoMo.
The company’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, confirmed the listing plan in Airtel Africa’s latest financial report. “We are making significant progress in our preparations for the Airtel Money IPO and remain committed to this objective,” he said. While no firm date has been given, the IPO is expected to take place in early 2026, pending favourable market conditions.
Airtel Money operates in 14 African countries, including Nigeria, and is fast expanding its reach. As of the first quarter of 2025, the platform boasts 44.6 million active users, marking a 17.3% year-on-year increase. This puts Airtel within striking distance of the continent’s fintech heavyweights. M-Pesa, for instance, leads the market with over 70 million users, while MoMo trails slightly with 65 million.
Growth and Gaps in the Mobile Money Race
With mobile-based financial services becoming more essential, especially for unbanked populations, Airtel Money’s role is more critical than ever. The platform supports digital payments, loans, and cross-border transfers — all vital tools in promoting financial inclusion. Taldar pointed out that this mission aligns with the company’s long-term goals. “We will remain focused on delivering our strategy to transform the lives of our customers and support economic prosperity across our markets,” he said.
Interestingly, while MTN’s MoMo is a strong player overall, its Nigerian branch, MoMo PSB, has faced serious setbacks. The service saw a staggering 55.6% drop in active wallets in Q1 2025, plummeting to 2.1 million. This sharp decline presents Airtel Money with a clear opportunity to tighten its grip in Nigeria and further challenge its rivals.
By raising capital through the IPO, Airtel Africa aims to enhance its technology, expand services, and increase market penetration. With a growing user base and a focus on innovation, the company appears well-positioned to close the gap.
Taldar also acknowledged the team effort behind this journey. “I want to say a particular thank-you to our customers, partners, governments, and regulators for their support and our employees for their unrelenting contribution to the business,” he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving fintech success.
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One reply on “Airtel Plots 2026 IPO to Challenge M-Pesa, MoMo”
[…] run until 19 November 2025 or end earlier if the full amount is utilised. In a new development, Airtel Africa has partnered with Barclays Capital Securities Limited, giving the firm authority to handle the […]