Sonatel, the telecommunications group listed on the West African Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM), reported consolidated net profit of CFA354 billion for the first nine months of 2026, up 12.9% from a year earlier. Revenue rose 10.5% to CFA1,583 billion, according to financial results released on Thursday, October 29.
The increase in sales was accompanied by stronger operating profitability. EBITDAaL, an earnings measure that accounts for lease-related expenses, reached CFA769 billion, an increase of 12.1%. Its margin rose to 48.6% of revenue from about 47.9% in the corresponding period of 2025. Sonatel said mobile data, Orange Money and fixed broadband were the main drivers of revenue growth.
Customer figures reflect the shift towards these services. The group had 40.3 million mobile customers at the end of September, up 2.1%, while its active 4G user base expanded by 18.2% to 24.5 million. Orange Money counted 14.4 million active users, an annual increase of 15.5%, and fibre subscriptions rose 25.6% to 710,000.
Network and equipment spending exceeds CFA231 billion
To support the expansion of digital services, Sonatel invested CFA231.5 billion in the first nine months, 13.9% more than a year earlier. Network spending accounted for CFA192.5 billion of the total, directed towards wider mobile and fixed high-speed coverage and infrastructure upgrades.
Capital expenditure represented 14.6% of revenue, compared with 14.2% a year earlier. The investment programme is being carried out against a backdrop of persistent energy-supply constraints in several markets and regulatory changes affecting electronic-money services.
Looking ahead to the final quarter, Sonatel plans to continue rolling out fibre, 4G and 5G while strengthening energy resilience at its sites. The operator is also preparing connectivity services for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.