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Our monthly Ice Best Buys Now are designed to highlight our team’s three favourite, most timely Buys from our growing list of income-focused Ice recommendations, to help Fools build out their portfolios.
“Best Buys Now” Pick #1:
Airtel Africa (LSE:AAF)
- Airtel Africa reported a return to profitability for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. The mobile operator achieved a 21% increase in revenue in constant currency terms.
- Mobile services revenue grew by 19.6% in constant currency, with data services serving as the main growth engine, surging by 30.5%. Revenue from mobile money services also continued its rapid expansion, rising by 30% in constant currency.
- Total customer numbers increased by 8.7%, while the number of mobile money users rose by 17.3%.
- I appreciate management for their ongoing efforts to de-risk the balance sheet. Foreign currency debt was reduced by USD 702 million, and the proportion of operating company debt denominated in local currencies rose to 93%, up from 83% a year ago—significantly reducing foreign exchange exposure.
- Chief Executive Sunil Taldar remarked that Airtel Africa is playing a transformative role across Sub-Saharan Africa, driving economic inclusion by enabling access to information and facilitating digital transactions. With only around half of the adult population owning a smartphone, and approximately 70% remaining unbanked, the growth runway for Airtel Africa remains substantial.
