AIRTEL UNVEILS US$107 MILLION NETWORK EXPANSION

….to strengthen coverage and improve service reliability

Lusaka… Monday December 15, 2025

Airtel Zambia has announced a major US$107 million nationwide network expansion programme aimed at improving coverage, enhancing service reliability and supporting the country’s growing demand for digital connectivity.

The investment, the largest in a single year, will fund the rollout of 406 new sites, 121 of which are already operational with the remaining 285 scheduled for completion by March 2026.

Speaking during a media engagement session held in Lusaka, Airtel Zambia Managing Director, Hussam Baday said the expansion is one of the company’s most significant infrastructure commitments in recent years and reflects Airtel’s long-term vision for a digitally empowered Zambia.

“Connectivity is essential for education, business, health services and everyday communication. This investment is a direct response to customer feedback and is intended to strengthen the network, expand capacity and improve the overall experience across the country,” he said.

The 406-site rollout includes a combination of new coverage areas, capacity expansion in high-demand zones and network resilience enhancements. The investment supports Airtel’s objective of delivering improved data speeds, more stable call quality and greater network availability nationwide.

“Our teams have already delivered 121 sites, and customers will see progressive improvements as more sites come online. We remain fully committed to providing a stronger, more resilient network for all our customers,” he added.

Mr Baday noted that the expansion incorporates upgraded equipment and enhanced backup systems to reinforce network stability.

“We are building a network that can support Zambia’s evolving digital needs. This programme addresses congestion, extends rural coverage and strengthens performance in critical-need areas such as hospitals, clinics and schools,” he said.

Airtel reaffirmed that customer experience remains at the core of service delivery.

“We are implementing these upgrades to ensure customers receive the quality of service they expect. The improvements will be progressive, and we will continue to update the public as the rollout advances,” said Mr Baday.