Airtel Africa’s CEO breaks down strategic objectives for 2022

Airtel Africa, a leading telecommunications company, is gearing up to accelerate its performance through a greater focus on digitalization. In a recent CNBC Africa interview, Segun Ogunsanya, the CEO of Airtel Africa, shed light on the company's strategic objectives for the upcoming year. The receipt of the Payment Service Bank license in Nigeria is expected to further drive the company's mobile money business, as they have secured around $550 million in minority investments. With a strong focus on digitalization, Airtel Africa aims to capitalize on the growing potential of mobile money in the region, particularly in countries like Nigeria. Ogunsanya highlighted the success of mobile money in Kenya and discussed the immense opportunity for growth in Nigeria, given its larger GDP. He emphasized the importance of financial inclusion and the company's goal of bringing more people into the financial ecosystem. Despite challenges such as inflation and rising diesel prices impacting the business, Airtel Africa is actively exploring alternative energy sources like solar power to mitigate the effects. Airtel Africa's recent financial performance has been impressive, with full-year revenues up by 20.6% and operating profit increasing by 10.7%. The company's robust financial position enables it to invest in expanding its services, improving margins, and generating cash flow. Airtel Africa remains committed to delivering value to its shareholders through strategic initiatives and dividend payouts. Looking ahead, the company is poised for continued growth and profitability, driven by its strong operational performance and strategic focus on digital transformation.