Airtel Uganda sees 13.9% growth in customer base, driven by surge in data usage

Airtel Uganda sees 13.9% growth in customer base, driven by surge in data usage

Airtel Uganda’s customer base increased by 13.9 percent to 16.9 million in 2024, driven by increasing demand for data. This was revealed at the company’s 2024/2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, where they reflected on a successful year and outlined plans for the future.

The company, led by Chairman Hannington Karuhanga and Managing Director Soumendra Sahu, presented its 2024 performance, telling a story of tenacity, growth, and a strong desire to connect Uganda in the current digital era.

Read also: Airtel partners with Network International to promote financial inclusion across Africa

Average revenue per user increased by 11.2%

Due to its innovations like home broadband routers, 7.3 million now use Airtel’s services. 5.45 GB of data were used per client, and average revenue per user increased by 11.2 percent.

2024 was a significant year for Karuhanga and also a turning point for the company. With appreciation, he said, “This has been a defining chapter.”

He further stated, “Our first year as a publicly listed company proved our strength: delivering growth, creating value, and standing tall for our stakeholders.”

Airtel Uganda supports this audacious claim as it firmly establishes its position in the country’s telecom market.

Airtel Uganda’s revenue increased by 11.4% to UGX 1,986.5 billion

In terms of finances, revenue increased 11.4 percent to UGX 1,986.5 billion, profit after tax increased 2.7 percent to UGX 316.7 billion, and a large UGX 134.9 billion went into Uganda’s tax shelters.

Compliance is still a pillar, regardless of the numbers. “Meeting regulatory standards isn’t just an obligation—it’s how we power economic transformation,” Sahu emphasised.

The UGX 30.2 billion ($8.2 million) in spectrum fees paid to the Uganda Communications Commission for November 2024–2025 demonstrated that commitment and was a definite investment in Uganda’s digital future.

UGX 244 billion capital investment 

The business maintained capital spending at UGX 244 billion while launching 310 new network sites, 150 of which were 5G-enabled, increasing the total to 200.

As evidence of the customer experience’s diligence, Sahu stated, “Our customer base is fully verified under the new KYC rules.”

In an effort to provide more Ugandans with access to the internet, the company is also pressuring the government to lower taxes on smartphones and broadband gadgets.

Read also: Airtel Uganda boosts Internet connectivity with new 4G sites in Lira

Data usage soar to 41.7%

The switch to 4G and 5G networks and a 27.8 percent increase in subscribers caused data usage to soar 41.7 percent in 2024.

With the advent of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and an expanding fibre network, home broadband is taking centre stage.

“We’re tapping fiber and 5G to grow this space and deliver value to shareholders,” Sahu said.

Benefits for shareholders: Dividend payout of UGX 100 billion

In relation to shareholders, they are also benefiting. In order to reach UGX 7.88 per share for the year, Airtel declared a dividend payout of UGX 100 billion, or UGX 2.5 per share. For those who were banking on Airtel’s vision, it’s a good return.

The company has ambitious plans for 2025, including improving its Go-To-Market approach, streamlining the MyAirtel App for user convenience, and optimising the network for smooth video. 5G and more fibre will improve home Internet.

As for Sahu’s passion for VoLTE, he stated, “This is about linking Ugandans to endless possibilities. Transforming lives is our purpose—it’s in every decision we make.”

Karuhanga gave interested shareholders a preview of what’s to come: interactive town halls will be used to embrace Airtel’s technological edge in future engagements, and the 9.11 percent of shares that have not yet been subscribed for will go back on the market in November 2026. He declared, “We are a forward-thinking company. Watch this space.”

The company claims that with innovation at its heart and a purpose to reduce the digital gap, Airtel is prepared to keep improving lives with one connection at a time.

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