Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar earns ₦1.5 billion bonus after 147% surge in profit

Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, received approximately ₦1.5 billion ($1.09 million) in bonus during the 2025/26 financial year. This follows the operator’s 147.4% year-on-year (YoY) increase in profit after tax. 

According to the company’s annual report covering April 2025 to March 2026, the remuneration plan reflects incentives for meeting targets and the operator’s financial performance, compared to the prior period. 

For Airtel Africa, revenue for the period increased by 29.5% YoY in reported currency to $6.4 billion, while average revenue per user (ARPU) increased by 17.8% to $3.1. The group’s operating profit stood at $2.1 billion, while profit after tax jumped to $813 million.

For Sunil Taldar, the total take-home for the period under review is approximately ₦2.95 billion ($2.15 million), with base salary, benefits, and pension contributions totalling ₦1.45 billion ($1.06 million). In 2024/25, the company’s CEO received a total take-home of $1.4 million. 

However, $361,800 of the bonus will be bestowed in the form of shares, while $723,500 will be awarded in the form of cash. 

Aside from Sunil Taldar, Airtel’s Africa Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kamal Dua and former CFO, Jaideep Paul, who stepped down in July 2025, also received bonuses. 

Kamal earned a bonus of $311,000, while his total take-home was $695,000. Whereas, Jaideep received $2.7 million with a bonus of $2.5 million. Jaideep’s bonus includes Performance Stock Units (PSUs) and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) awards.

Outgoing Airtel Chairman bows out in fine form 

Sunil Bharti Mittal, outgoing Airtel Africa Chairman, will be walking away with a Non-Executive fee of $462,000, being the amount payable for his service between April 2025 and March 2026. 

Sunil Mittal’s seven years in the role will come to an end after the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in July. Gopal Vittal, the current Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, will take over the role.

However, the outgoing chairman’s footprint will be intact. His son, Shravin Bharti Mittal, will take up the role of deputy chair from July, serving as a bridge between the board and founding family. He’s also on the Airtel Money board and liaises with the company’s Dubai headquarters.

The leading telecoms operator currently controls 183.5 million subscribers across its 14 African markets.

Also Read: Airtel Africa names Gopal Vittal new chairman as Sunil Mittal exits after 7 years in the role