Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV (BAIN)

1546 // Regional 1 (Africa)

OFID’s financing supports Bharti’s plan to provide telecom infrastructure in 17 African countries, the majority of which are low-income. With the relatively low penetration of fixed lines, especially in rural areas, broadband platforms are becoming more prevalent in Africa, thus having a positive impact on the population’s living standards and well-being. Since mobile payments and commerce are among the biggest areas of service opportunity, aims are to use mobile and broadband to reach Africa’s large unbanked population to enable them to participate in mainstream financial services. This will, in turn, help fuel economic growth and social development in the targeted countries.