Airtel Mobile-Money Unit Picks London for Listing Location

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomePMN BusinessAirtel Mobile-Money Unit Picks London for Listing LocationAirtel Africa Plc picked London as the primary listing location for its mobile-money business and expects to start trading there this year.Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Airtel Africa Plc picked London as the primary listing location for its mobile-money business and expects to start trading there this year.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountAn initial public offering will unlock value in the financial-services unit, which previous Bloomberg reporting put at more than $10 billion.“We confirm London as our preferred listing venue for Airtel Money in 2026,” the company said in a statement on Thursday. This “will provide access to a broad international investor base and support our ambition to unlock the long-term value of one of Africa’s leading fintech platforms.”The timing, valuation and final structure of the IPO remain subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals. The listing would also provide one of the clearest market tests yet for the valuation of African fintech and mobile-money assets at scale. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againAfrica is home to the fastest-growing and youngest population in the world, and has been a breeding ground for fintech businesses that include startups such as Moniepoint Inc. and OPay Holding Ltd. OPay is preparing for a possible US IPO, though it hasn’t publicly filed documents or confirmed a listing timetable.Airtel’s decision is a boost for the London Stock Exchange, which has struggled to attract new listings while facing a spree of takeovers that’s shrinking the number of companies traded there. IPOs are a point of focus for the bourse. Airtel Africa first-quarter revenue climbed 31% to $1.85 billion, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped 37% to $928 million.The company said higher energy costs arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are expected to increase inflationary pressures and weigh on Ebitda margins in the near term. It reported Ebitda margins of 50.1% in the latest quarter, up 206 basis points and reflecting “the continued success of our cost efficiency program,” it said. Investors have long viewed Airtel Money as a key contributor to Airtel Africa’s sum-of-the-parts value, arguing that the business could get a higher multiple than the parent company’s telecommunications operations because of its faster growth profile and expanding customer base.A successful London listing may also reignite investor interest in African equity issuance after a prolonged period of subdued capital-markets activity. The transaction would likely rank among the most closely watched African fintech offerings in recent years and could serve as a benchmark for other digital-finance companies considering public market listings.Sign up here for the daily Next Africa newsletter and subscribe to the Next Africa podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen.(Updates with comment by company from third paragraph.)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.