The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to buy up to £67.2m (about $90m) of shares in Airtel Mobile Commerce N.V., which operates as Airtel Money. The move comes as it prepares to list on the London Stock Exchange.
IFC will purchase existing shares from current shareholders at the final offer price, subject to customary conditions. The company has not said who is selling or how many shares it is offering.
Airtel Money published its intention to float on September 23. A prospectus is expected in early October, setting out the price range and offer size. Reports value the business at between $8 billion and $9 billion. Reuters says at least 10% of shares should be in public hands after listing.
Airtel Africa, itself listed in London, holds 77.85% of Airtel Money. TPG, Mastercard, the Qatar Investment Authority, and Chimetech hold minority stakes. They invested a combined $550m in 2021, when TPG’s Rise Fund deal valued the business at $2.65bn. The reported IPO valuation is roughly three times that figure. Airtel Africa says it expects to remain a long-term shareholder and has not disclosed how large a stake it will keep.
Airtel Money serves more than 53 million monthly active users across 13 African markets. It processed $213bn in the 12 months to June 30, 2026. Revenue for the year ended March 31, 2026, was $1.346bn, with an EBITDA margin of about 50%.
When the prospectus is released, investors will be looking for evidence that Airtel Money can stand on its own.
The business relies on the agent networks and infrastructure of Airtel Africa’s core mobile operations, which serve 189 million telecom subscribers. How clearly the filing separates the two will likely shape demand.
Last updated: September 30, 2026
