In a seismic shift reshaping Uganda’s telecom landscape, Airtel Uganda’s latest financial results reveal a clear trend: Ugandans are prioritizing data over traditional voice calls, signaling a broader transformation in how the nation connects. The company’s half-year report for the period ending June 30, 2025, underscores this pivot, with data revenue surging 30.4% to Ushs 525.7 billion, now accounting for nearly half of all service revenues. Once the backbone of telecom profits, voice calls are rapidly losing ground to the allure of data bundles.
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This isn’t just about new users joining the digital wave. Airtel’s data subscriber base has swelled by 25.9% to 7.5 million, and existing users are hungrier for data than ever, with average monthly consumption jumping 22.6% to nearly 6GB per user. The numbers reflect a broader cultural shift—Ugandans aren’t just getting online; they’re demanding faster, more reliable connections to power their digital lives.
The strain on infrastructure is palpable. Airtel reported a 57.4% surge in overall network traffic, prompting an aggressive expansion of its 4G and 5G networks. In just six months, the company added 176 new 4G sites, laid 1,793km of fibre, and deployed 150 additional 5G sites to meet soaring demand. A striking 86.9% of all traffic now flows through 4G networks, up from 80.4% a year ago, highlighting a clear preference for high-speed connectivity.
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reinforces this narrative. Its Q2 2025 market report notes 16.5 million mobile internet subscriptions, nearly matching the country’s 17.6 million smartphone users. Data consumption is skyrocketing, while airtime purchases for voice calls continue to wane. Social media platforms are driving this surge, with WhatsApp (9.2 million users), TikTok (8.8 million), and YouTube (6.1 million) dominating online activity. TikTok alone gobbles up 56% of total data usage, followed by WhatsApp at 24% and YouTube at 13%. These platforms aren’t just apps—they’re shaping how Ugandans communicate, create, and consume.
Smartphone adoption is fueling this digital boom. Airtel reports 39.9% smartphone penetration on its network, bolstered by financing programs like Airtel Badili and partnerships with companies like Mogo. These initiatives have made smartphones more affordable, bringing more Ugandans into the digital fold. Meanwhile, the MyAirtel app has become a go-to hub for 1.25 million monthly active users, reflecting a growing preference for self-service over traditional customer support.
This data-driven revolution is more than a telecom trend—it’s reshaping Uganda’s economy and society. From small businesses thriving on WhatsApp to rural students accessing online education, data is becoming the lifeblood of opportunity. If this trajectory holds, Airtel’s data business could redefine its entire model, positioning it as a cornerstone of Uganda’s burgeoning digital economy.
