Telecom Giant Sonatel Sees 8% Jump in First-Half Net Profit

BREAKING NEWSJuly 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM UTC

TLDR

Sonatel, West Africa's second-largest telecom operator, posted revenue of 960.2 billion XOF ($1.71 billion) in the first half of 2025, up 9.4% from the prior year
The Senegal-based company's EBITDAAL rose 12.3% to 458 billion XOF ($814 million), representing 47.7% of revenue
Sonatel operates across five West African markets through its Orange brand, serving 41 million mobile customers

Sonatel, West Africa's second-largest telecom operator listed on the BRVM, posted revenue of 960.2 billion XOF ($1.71 billion) in the first half of 2025, up 9.4% from the prior year. The Senegal-based company's EBITDAAL rose 12.3% to 458 billion XOF ($814 million), representing 47.7% of revenue.

Net income climbed 8% to 208.1 billion XOF ($370 million). The operator invested 152.6 billion XOF ($271 million) in network upgrades, an increase of 13.4%.

Sonatel (BRVM: SNTS) operates across five West African markets through its Orange brand, serving 41 million mobile customers. Data users reached 21.5 million, up 24.8%, while 4G subscribers totaled 20.1 million, gaining 10.4%.

Orange Money, the mobile payment service, added 4.1% more users to reach 12.6 million. Fixed broadband customers jumped 41.7% to 1 million, with fiber subscribers up 20% to 527,200.

The company maintained market leadership in all five countries where it operates: Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone. Mobile penetration ranges from 95% in Sierra Leone to 128% in Senegal.

Sonatel shares trade at 25,000 XOF ($44.45) on the BRVM exchange, up 4.17% year-to-date.

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Key Takeaways

Sonatel's strong performance reflects the growing importance of mobile money across West Africa. The company's Orange Money service has become essential infrastructure in regions where traditional banking remains limited. The reach of West Africa's mobile money sector is 13 times wider than local banks, according to industry data. The growth comes despite regulatory challenges, including new taxes on telecom services and mobile money transactions in several markets. Sonatel faced customer identification requirements that temporarily reduced its mobile subscriber base by 1.2%. The company received approximately $75 million in 2024 from international partners to strengthen digital infrastructure and expand 4G coverage in rural areas. This investment supports Sonatel's strategy to capture the next wave of digital adoption as internet penetration grows across its markets. The telecom sector remains one of the BRVM's most active segments, with Orange's West African operations showing resilience despite regional economic challenges. Sonatel's focus on data services and mobile financial services positions it well for continued growth as digital transformation accelerates across francophone West Africa.

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