Airtel Money confirms imminent London IPO listing

Details: James Barton; Category: Mobile Finance; 23 September 2026; 353 views

Airtel Money has reaffirmed its longstanding intention to list on the London Stock Exchange as early as today after its plans were delayed earlier this year.

As reported by the Financial Times, the mobile financial services branch of Airtel Africa is eyeing a valuation of US$8 billion to US$9 billion, with the goal of raising at least US$800 million from investors. Shares will be sold by existing stakeholders, without the company raising any new capital, and IFC (International Finance Corporation) has reportedly agreed to acquire up to around US$84 million of shares at the final offer price.

Airtel Africa confirmed that it would list its mobile money unit on the LSE in July 2026, after delaying the IPO from the first half of the year due to market volatility caused by the US and Israel’s war on Iran. Airtel Money CEO Ian Ferrao said that the company was approaching the IPO “from a position of financial strength. The business is debt-free, capital-light and highly cash generative.”

Ferrao added that “digital transaction volumes across our footprint are forecast to grow around fivefold by 2031”, explaining that the firm expects to onboard more Airtel Africa customers by boosting app usage and expanding its offering to include financial services such as loans, savings and insurance.

Airtel Money is Airtel Africa’s third-largest unit by revenue, with around 53 million active monthly users. Following the IPO, Airtel Africa is expected to continue as a long-term shareholder in the unit; it currently holds a stake of nearly 80%.