Responsibility
We’re building on our positive social impact
throughout our active community programmes
and by acting as a responsible employer
and corporate citizen
Our approach
We connect 152.7 million people – to each other, to the global economy, and to new opportunities.
Like our customers, we live and work in some of the world’s most challenged countries – while the markets we operate in are growing fast, many lack the essential infrastructure that underpins developed economies.
Voice, data, and mobile money services are providing an essential bridge to sustainable development across sub-Saharan Africa. In delivering these services, we’re bringing employment and opportunities to more than a million people in our business and distribution network.
In other words, we see the positive impact our products and services have on the people around us every day – helping to create a new, digital infrastructure. Our products and services are promoting growth today and laying the foundations for future growth. This is why working closely with governments and regulators to encourage financial inclusion and empowerment – vital enablers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – is at the heart of our business strategy.
Transforming lives
At Airtel Africa, our purpose is to transform the lives of people across sub-Saharan Africa. This purpose, and a commitment to the creation of opportunities in the communities in which we operate, constitute the foundational principles which guide all our actions – at Board, management and operational levels. By serving customers and societies, connecting the unconnected, reaching the financially excluded and bridging the digital divide, we’re providing essential services that are unlocking the potential for people and economies to grow.
Our Sustainability Report 2024 details how we implement responsible business practices across our markets by focusing on our sustainability performance. It highlights our achievements and plans for future initiatives that will positively impact the environment and communities on the African continent.
Sustainability Strategy 2024 
Sustainability Strategy 2022
Sustainability Strategy 2021
Our sustainability pillars:
Our business
We are committed to providing Africa with safe, reliable and resilient telecommunications to drive economic growth and development.
Our people
Our people are at the heart of our sustainability journey.
By fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion and continuous learning, we’re not just investing in our people – we’re nurturing future leaders and innovators who will drive our business forward.
Our community
Our dedication to supporting communities is brought to life through bridging digital and financial divides and enhancing access to education. Through strategic partnerships and programmes, we’re opening doors to new possibilities, empowering individuals and communities to shape their own futures.
Our environment
We recognise the important role we play in environmental protection. We are committed to minimising our impact on the continent through initiatives aimed at reducing our GHG emissions and promoting circular economy.
We’re working towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.
Towards a net zero future
At Airtel Africa, our corporate purpose is transforming the lives of people on the African continent – this is underpinned by our commitment to environmental protection.
With Africa expected to be affected by the ongoing climate crisis, addressing our environmental impact is non-negotiable – it is an urgent priority. We’re committed to reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across our operations and, through collaboration with our partners and suppliers, to improve our environmental performance throughout the organisation.
Sunil Taldar
Chief executive officer
We are setting a target of a 62% reduction in the intensity of our GHG emissions by 2032 and aim to achieve net zero absolute emissions by 2050.
We have a unique opportunity to play a key part in the social and economic transformation of the people in our markets by providing essential telecommunications services across Africa. We fulfil our purpose of transforming lives by connecting our customers, businesses and communities while driving digitalisation and financial inclusion.
The complexity of the telecoms sector and the specific challenges we face working in some of the remotest parts of Africa mean that achieving our environmental ambitions can be challenging. Furthermore, the ongoing demand for data in Africa is significant and we’re expanding our operations to meet this demand. In our markets where electricity grid and infrastructure are underdeveloped, our growth means that we will have to work harder to achieve our net zero target.
Our detailed analysis of scope 1 and 2 emissions has resulted in establishing a significant decarbonisation interventions programme which will allow us to reduce our emissions intensity by 62% in the near term.
We have developed our scope 3 reduction strategy through a detailed modelling exercise. Central to our strategic approach is an ongoing engagement programme with our top tier partners and suppliers. This engagement ensures a regular flow of information, enabling us to monitor their impact on the environment. It also facilitates collaboration and the sharing of best practices among suppliers, fostering collective efforts toward decarbonisation solutions.
This strategy seamlessly aligns with our broader supply chain management objectives, reinforcing our commitment to heightened oversight of suppliers and the conscientious selection of those adhering to best practices.
Our journey towards a net zero future
Environmental policy
Carbon accounting methodology
Our environment pillar and long-term goals
Our environment
We are committed to addressing and minimising the impact of our operations and delivery of our services on the environment. This is critical for the world in which we live.
Reduction of GHG emissions
Our goal is to achieve a 62% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 2032 and a net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Environmental stewardship
Our goal is to eliminate hazardous waste from our operations, and significantly reduce our non-hazardous waste outputs We also am to minimise our water consumption.
Corporate social responsibility
Our environment pillar and long-term goals
We operate in a complex and dynamic environment, with economic controls, technological progressions and increasing focus on digitalisation. As a responsible corporate organisation, we align our business growth with the social and economic well-being of the communities where we operate. Our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes are executed at the local level through our employees, thereby directing contributions to areas of greatest impact in the regions.
This year, the impact of the pandemic meant that our community projects were more vital than ever, helping to provide people with essential items and services.
Our Group-wide approach to key community activities focuses on three main areas:
- Education
- Health and well-being
- Disaster relief
Together with our valued partnerships, we have been engaged in projects and activities that make a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable and underserved people on the continent. Beyond our products and services, we continue to aim at making a positive difference through what we do, and who we are.
We are highly supportive and committed to supporting employees in doing charitable work in their communities, including organising events, collections, and fund-raising initiatives with colleagues. Airtel Africa reserves the right not to support CSR programmes or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) where employee’s friends or family are found to be involved in any of the activities which go against our CSR philosophy.
Engaging with our stakeholders
Understanding the needs and expectations of all our stakeholders helps us boost our positive impact – and makes us a better business. A simple set of principles guides all of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
We work with initiatives that:
Do:
- Draw on our own technology
- Align with local development plans or goals
- Address a pressing social need
- Offer opportunities to create partnerships with customers, employees, and public and private sector actors
Do not:
- Harm the environment
- Discriminate because of race or gender
- Support a political party, candidate or movement
- Support a particular religious doctrine
Partnership with UNICEF
In November 2021 Airtel Africa and UNICEF announced a five-year pan-African partnership to help accelerate the rollout of digital learning through connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms across 13 countries. By providing equal access to quality digital learning, particularly for the most vulnerable children, the partnership will help to ensure that every child reaches their full potential.
Airtel Africa is the first African private sector partner to make a multimillion-dollar commitment to ‘Reimagine Education’, a global initiative launched by UNICEF in 2020 calling for public and private sector investment in digital learning as an essential service for every child and young person across the globe. This initiative aims to to give children a chance to catch up on their learning needs amid the ongoing global pandemic.
Human rights
At Airtel Africa, we deeply value human rights and consider them a fundamental cornerstone of our corporate culture. We are committed to upholding human rights in all aspects of our business. To our people and business partners, we emphasise the importance of consistently respecting the rights of colleagues and associates with whom we engage and collaborate. This is also detailed in our Code of Conduct.
Our modern slavery policy states that the company conducts its business in a way which respects human rights. Airtel Africa denounces holding another person in slavery, child labour, forced labour, inhuman treatment or working conditions that are a threat to life or hinders physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of a person.
Pay ratio reporting
Quoted companies with more than 250 UK-based employees are required to report each year on the difference in pay between their CEO and their UK employees. As Airtel Africa is outside the scope of this requirement, we will not be disclosing our pay ratio for this reporting period.
Ethical business conduct
Airtel Africa is committed to achieving the highest principles of integrity and ethics.
We expect all businesses and employees to work with the highest standards of integrity and conduct at all times. Our Code of Conduct defines how we do business and extends to employees at all levels as well as to suppliers, partners and all others working with us. We also have policies on areas like anti-bribery and corruption, whistleblowing and data protection (GDPR) setting out the ethical framework that all companies and employees are expected to follow.
Each year, our employees receive up-to-date training on legislative and regulatory matters.
Tax strategy
Airtel Africa’s tax strategy defines the approach to managing the Group’s tax affairs. It has been approved by the chief financial officer and is subject to yearly review.
Tax strategy is applicable to Airtel Africa plc and its subsidiaries. It is compliant with the requirements of para 16(2) and 22(2) of Schedule 19, Finance Act 2016, and relates to our 31 March 2024 year-end.
We are committed to being a responsible and collaborative taxpayer that supports the social and economic wellbeing of the communities where we operate.
Online safety
Airtel Africa has a strong commitment to information security. To meet our high level of security standards as well as those of the legal bodies regulating our business sector, Airtel Africa places a strong emphasis on making the platforms that our customer use safe and secure. Even with these diligent efforts in place, customers must be aware of what they can do to maintain and increase the security of their system.
We also request that our customers, for any responsible disclosure of a security vulnerability in our website, mobile application, or our services, contact us at airtel.africa credits
Protection against online fraud
To protect your account and personal information from fake emails, SMS and websites, follow a few simple steps:
- Delete suspicious emails without opening them. If you do open a suspicious email, do not respond to online solicitations for personal information
- Do not open any attachments or click on any links it may contain
- Never provide sensitive account or personal information in response to an email
Cybersecurity best practices
It is important to stay protected from cyberattacks
Airtel Africa employees are aware of cybersecurity best practices and always follow them to ensure safety of private information of their customers.
Common cyber threats
To keep secure online, it is important for customers to become aware of the various cyber threats.
Cybercrimes
Certain activities are treated as cybercrime by law. It is undoubtedly one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world and it continues to impact businesses across all industries.
