Airtel Africa Plc (“AA”, “Airtel”, “Group”) is an integrated mobile network operator in 14 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. 

It offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services. Airtel is a public company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and is registered in England and Wales. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and on Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Bharti Airtel Limited, an Indian telecommunication company with operations in 17 countries, is a majority shareholder with c. 56% shareholding in the Group.                                       

 The Project is investment towards capital expenditure and refinancing in various telecommunications subsidiaries of Airtel. IFC will support the Project with a debt package of up to US$150 million from its own account and up to US$44 million in mobilization from MCPP funds.    

 Funds will be used to support Airtel Africa’s operations and investments across seven subsidiaries in Sub-Saharan Africa, namely Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Republic of Congo and Zambia.      

  This is a Category B project according to IFC's Policy on Environment and Social Sustainability (2012). Based on information reviewed by IFC, the proposed project will have limited adverse E&S impacts that are few, site specific, largely reversible and readily addressed through existing mitigation measures and good international industry practices (GIIP).

Key areas of E&S focus include: (i) development and implementation of a corporate E&S management system (ESMS) and relevant procedures and plans to screen, assess and manage the limited adverse E&S risks and impacts applicable to the business of the company in line with IFC PSs during operations, network upgrades and potential expansion and acquisitions, including land access and land acquisition; (ii) HR policies and procedure, labor and working conditions, OHS management during its operations and maintenance (O&M) and network maintenance (e.g. electrical safety, working at heights etc.); (iii) emergency preparedness and response, including for COVID-19 pandemic; (iv) waste and hazardous material management, and electro-magnetic fields (EMF); (v) community health and safety including motor vehicle safety and life and fire safety in retail stores; (vi) security management; and (vii) stakeholder engagement and grievance mechanism.