Connect with us

Company News

Airtel Increases 9 Months Profit by 1.7% to $523 Million

Total customer base increased to 138.5 million

Published

2 months ago

on

Airtel Financial Results - Investors King

Telecommunications and mobile money services, Airtel Africa Plc has reported $523 million as profit after tax for nine months ended December 2022. The amount is 1.7% higher than the $514 million in the same period of the previous year.

According to the company’s financial report obtained by Investors King, revenue increased for the period by 17.3% to close at $3.9 billion compared to the $3.5 billion in the previous year. The increase was driven by increase in voice revenue, data revenue, mobile money revenue and other revenue.

While revenue growth in constant currency was 17.3% (18.0% in Q3’23) driven by double digit growth across all reporting segments, Mobile Services revenue in Nigeria grew by 20.9%, in East Africa by 11.9% and in Francophone Africa by 11.8% (and across the Group by 15.9%, with voice revenue growth of 12.7%and data revenue up 22.3%). Similarly, Mobile Money revenue grew by 29.8%, driven by 32.5% growth in East Africa and 21.7% in Francophone Africa.

During the period, total customer base increased to 138.5 million (up 10.1%), as the penetration of mobile data and mobile money services continued to rise, driving the data customer base up 13.6% and mobile money customer base up 22.2%. the company also saw ARPU growth of 7.2% in constant currency, largely driven by increased usage across voice, data, and mobile money and Mobile money transaction value increased by 37.0%, to an annualised value of almost $100 billion in Q3 2023.

EBITDA was $1,916 million, up 12.6% in reported currency and 17.3% in constant currency, with an EBITDA margin of 49.0%, increasing 20 basis points in reported currency and broadly flat in constant currency. According to the company, EBITDA growth was partially offset by higher foreign exchange and derivative losses of $184 million.

Earnings Per Share before exceptional items was 10.8 cents, a reduction of 5.8% largely driven by higher foreign exchange and derivative losses of $184 million. Basic EPS increased to 12.5% (up by 6.3%) as a result of deferred tax asset recognition in Kenya. Meanwhile, EPS before exceptional items and excluding foreign exchange and derivative losses increased by 21.6%.

Providing update on trading, Segun Ogunsanya, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa explained that the strong results are testament to this strategy despite the current macro-economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

He noted that the execution of its six-pillar strategy continues to provide the foundation for growth, driving 10% customer growth, supported by 14% growth in data customers and over 22% growth in mobile money customers. He added that higher usage across voice, data and money, have contributed to further ARPU growth of over 7%, resulting in 18% revenue growth in the quarter as penetration across each segment continues to increase.

He said, “I am particularly excited by the performance of our mobile money business, with annualized transaction value reaching nearly $100 billion, as we continue to drive financial inclusion in the continent. Despite the inflationary pressures across our markets, the strong revenue performance in the first nine months of the year, combined with continued focus on cost optimisation, contributed to EBITDA growth of over 17% in constant currency, with stable EBITDA margins. Our strong operating performance, combined with continued focus on our capital allocation priorities has facilitated the de-risking of our balance sheet with the early repayment of $450m HoldCo debt in July this year.”

Looking forward, he said the company will continue to invest in expanding its network and evolving its service offerings to further deepen both financial and digital inclusion across markets as the company has especially focused on enhancing its spectrum footprint across all our markets.

He added, “Over the last nine months we have spent almost $490 million on 4G and 5G spectrum across key markets to improve network capacity and quality, future-proof the company for continued growth opportunities and facilitate economic progress in all our markets. I am particularly pleased with these results which demonstrate the opportunities these markets offer, our ability to deliver against these opportunities and the contribution we make to local communities and economies across our footprint. For the remainder of the financial year, we continue to anticipate sustained growth in the business with continued EBITDA margin resilience.”

Continue Reading
Comments

Company News

Unilever Nigeria to Focus on Higher Growth Opportunities by Exiting Home Care and Skin Cleansing Markets

Published

6 days ago

on

March 27, 2023

By

Unilever

Unilever Nigeria Plc, one of the leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, has announced its decision to exit the home care and skin cleansing markets.

The company disclosed that the decision would only affect three of its brands – OMO, Sunlight, and Lux. According to Unilever Nigeria, the move is aimed at accelerating the growth of the organisation and sustaining profitability.

The restructuring of Unilever Nigeria’s business model is in response to the tough business environment in Nigeria, where many organisations and individuals have found it difficult to access cash due to the Naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Unilever Nigeria’s Managing Director, Mr Carl Cruz, noted that the offloading of the home care and skin cleansing portfolios would enable the company to “concentrate on higher growth opportunities.”

Unilever Nigeria has a strong competition in the business categories it is exiting. However, the company’s products are also market leaders in the sector. Mr Cruz added that the company was repurposing its portfolio by gradually exiting two categories, home care and skin cleansing, affecting only three brands (OMO, Sunlight, and Lux).

This would allow Unilever Nigeria to drive the rest of its brand portfolio for growth into the future and strengthen business operations with measures to digitize and simplify processes.

Unilever Nigeria is a truly Nigerian business and the oldest serving manufacturer in the country. The company’s decision to exit the home care and skin cleansing markets is in line with its commitment to adapt to changing market circumstances and reposition itself to better meet the needs of its consumers, shareholders, and employees.

Mr Cruz said, “By making these changes, we will unleash the sustained and profitable growth we need to be here for the next 100 years as well.”

Continue Reading

Merger and Acquisition

Access Bank Zambia Granted Approval for Atlas Mara Zambia Merger

Published

6 days ago

on

March 27, 2023

By

Access bank

Access Holdings Plc has announced that its subsidiary, Access Bank Zambia Limited, has received final regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Zambia for the acquisition and merger of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited (Atlas Mara Zambia).

The move is a significant step towards the creation of one of the top five banks in Zambia.

Sunday Ekwochi, Company Secretary of Access Holdings, stated that the latest development is a big step towards the earlier announcement made on October 25, 2021.

This approval comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Competition Commission granted their “no objection” to the transaction in 2022.

Access Zambia will now begin the process of integrating and merging Atlas Mara Zambia into its existing operations. The merger is expected to boost Access Bank Zambia’s position in the Zambian banking sector and create more opportunities for its customers.

Access Holdings Plc is committed to expanding its operations and presence in Africa, and this acquisition and merger is a testament to its efforts in achieving that goal. The company believes that this move will strengthen its position as a leading financial services provider in the region.

Dr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Access Holdings, while commenting on the transaction, said: “The transaction builds on our earlier acquisition and merger of Cavmont Bank Plc into Access Bank Zambia and underscores our resolve to strengthen our presence in Zambia, a key African market that fits into our strategic focus on geographic earnings growth and diversification”.

Continue Reading

Merger and Acquisition

First Citizens BancShares Acquires Silicon Valley Bank’s Deposits and Loans in FDIC-Assisted Deal

Published

6 days ago

on

March 27, 2023

By

Silicon Valley Bank

On Monday, First Citizens BancShares Inc announced that it had acquired the deposits and loans of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) following its failure earlier this month.

This acquisition marks a significant step forward in addressing the global financial markets’ ongoing crisis of confidence.

As part of the deal, First Citizens BancShares will assume SVB’s assets including $110 billion in assets, $56 billion in deposits, and $72 billion in loans. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which took control of SVB, will receive equity appreciation rights in First Citizens BancShares stock with a potential value of up to $500 million.

First Citizens BancShares described itself as having completed more FDIC-assisted transactions since 2009 than any other bank. It believes that the combined company will be resilient with a diverse loan portfolio and deposit base.

The bank’s statement also noted that its prudent risk management approach would continue to protect customers and stockholders through all economic cycles and market conditions.

In addition to the acquisition, First Citizens BancShares will receive a line of credit from the FDIC for contingent liquidity purposes. Again, the bank will have an agreement with the regulator to share some losses on commercial loans to provide further downside protection against potential credit losses.

While analysts said the move was positive for financial stability and the venture capital industry, they noted that it only addressed the issue of deposits leaving smaller banks for larger banks or money market funds up to a point.

Redmond Wong, Greater China market strategist at Saxo Markets, said that “First Citizens Bank’s acquisition of the SVB loan book and deposits does not add much to solve the number one issue that the U.S. banking system is now facing.”

SVB’s failure was the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis. Its closure on March 10th caused massive market disruption and heightened stresses across the banking sector globally. The acquisition of its deposits and loans by First Citizens BancShares is a step towards stabilizing the sector and restoring confidence in the global financial markets.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement




Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending