ONATEL, the Burkina Faso telecoms operator trading under the Moov Africa brand, generated CFA114.04 billion in revenue during the first nine months of 2026, a 4.1% increase from a year earlier. Net profit under OHADA accounting standards nevertheless fell 4.6% to CFA10.50 billion, according to the figures for the period ending 30 September published by the regional BRVM exchange on 23 October.
Revenue growth was driven primarily by fibre-based high-speed internet, prepaid mobile services and mobile money. The company had 12.67 million customers at the end of September, 1.8% more than a year earlier. Its fibre broadband customer base expanded 31.4%, while mobile money subscriptions rose 8.5%.
The expansion also showed up in internet usage. Fixed and mobile internet subscribers reached 6.63 million, up 29.8% against a 2025 comparison recalculated using the subscriber-counting method adopted in 2026. Active mobile customers rose to 12.51 million, while active fixed-line subscribers increased from 69,000 to 80,000.
Network costs weigh on earnings
The stronger commercial performance came alongside rising operating expenses, particularly for internet bandwidth and the power required by newly commissioned network sites. ONATEL also reported a 6% increase in depreciation associated with its investments and a 17% rise in taxes and levies. Ordinary operating profit under OHADA standards consequently declined 5.7% to CFA14.45 billion.
Its figures look different under international accounting standards. On an IFRS basis, ONATEL reported CFA115.01 billion in revenue, up 3.9%, and net profit of CFA10.85 billion, an increase of 6.6%. Its EBITDA margin improved from 39.3% to 40.6%, reflecting a different earnings trajectory from that reported under OHADA rules.
Listed in the BRVM Prestige segment, ONATEL is 61% owned by Maroc Telecom, with the Burkinabe government holding a 16% stake. The operator plans to continue investing in the expansion and densification of Burkina Faso’s high-speed mobile network.