• Sonatel Q1 revenue rises 6.9% to 504.2 billion CFA francs
• EBITDA up 9.8%, net profit increases 4.5%
• Growth driven by data demand, Orange Money, infrastructure investment

Sonatel Group, comprising Orange subsidiaries in Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Sierra Leone, reported first-quarter 2026 consolidated revenue of 504.2 billion CFA francs ($904 million), up 6.9% year-on-year.

In results released Friday, April 17, the group said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 9.8% to 242.6 billion CFA francs, while net profit increased 4.5% to 113.8 billion CFA francs.

The operator said performance was driven by strong demand for mobile data, continued growth of the Orange Money platform and sustained infrastructure investment across the region. Capital expenditure rose 11% year-on-year to 83.4 billion CFA francs.

Subscriber trends

The group said revenue growth was supported by an expanding customer base and wider adoption of digital services among consumers and businesses. Mobile internet subscribers rose 8.3% to 22.6 million, while fixed broadband subscribers increased 21.8% to 1.1 million, driven by fiber expansion. Orange Money users grew 5.5% to 13.6 million.

The overall mobile subscriber base, however, fell 2.9% to 40.7 million.

“We remain committed to leading digital transformation in West Africa by investing in network quality, 4G/5G coverage and innovation to connect communities and support inclusive economic growth,” the group said.

While maintaining market leadership across its operations, the group flagged several challenges, including stronger competition in data, mobile money and fixed broadband, as well as the growing presence of satellite operators, particularly in Senegal. Elon Musk’s Starlink service has been available commercially in the country since early February 2026.

The operator also cited the impact of Middle East conflicts on energy costs and availability, along with tighter regulatory requirements in several markets. It said stricter customer identification rules led to the slight decline in its mobile subscriber base.

Isaac K. Kassouwi