Airtel Africa has increased the cumulative number of its repurchased shares to 40.93 million, acquired at an average price of 152.24 pence per share since the launch of the first tranche of its $100 million share buyback programme in December 2024.
In a corporate disclosure filed with the Nigerian Exchange on January 2, 2026, the telecoms group said it repurchased an additional 40,000 ordinary shares on December 31, 2025. The shares were bought at prices ranging between 354.00 pence and 357.00 pence, with a volume-weighted average price of 355.95 pence.
The transaction was executed by Barclays Capital Securities Limited under shareholder authority and in line with the revised buyback framework announced in September 2025. Based on the prevailing exchange rate of around N1,970 per British pound, the cumulative value of the repurchased shares stands at approximately N122.7 billion.
Airtel Africa said the repurchased shares will be cancelled, reducing the company’s issued ordinary shares to about 3.66 billion, with 7.49 million shares held in treasury. As a result, total voting rights have declined to roughly 3.65 billion.
Market analysts noted that the continued reduction in share count supports per-share metrics such as earnings per share and reflects management’s confidence in the group’s cash-generation capacity, while maintaining investment in network expansion and mobile money growth across Africa.
The buyback was executed across multiple trading venues, including the London Stock Exchange, BATS Europe, CHI-X Europe, Aquis Exchange, and Turquoise, indicating a best-execution strategy aimed at minimising market impact.
Airtel Africa’s shares closed at N2,270.00 on the NGX on January 2, 2026, making it the fourth most valuable stock on the exchange with a market capitalisation of N8.53 trillion. Analysts say the disciplined execution of the buyback positions the stock as one to watch in 2026.
