Sonatel, a leading telecommunications company in Senegal, has announced a net profit of 354 billion FCFA for the first nine months of 2026, representing a 12.9% increase from the same period last year. The company's revenue reached 1,583 billion FCFA, driven by growth in data, Orange Money, and fiber services. This performance is a significant achievement for Sonatel, which operates in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone.
The company's revenue growth was 10.5% higher than the 1,433 billion FCFA recorded in the same period of 2025. Sonatel's EBITDAaL, a key indicator of operational profitability, stood at 769 billion FCFA, up 12.1% from the previous year. This growth in EBITDAaL outpaced the increase in revenue, demonstrating a favorable operational leverage effect. The EBITDAaL margin was 48.6% of revenue, according to reports from Agence Ecofin.
Sonatel's customer base continued to expand, with 40.3 million mobile customers, a 2.1% increase from the previous year. The number of active 4G users grew by 18.2% to 24.5 million. Orange Money, the company's mobile money service, had 14.4 million active customers, a 15.5% increase from the same period last year. The company's fiber services also saw significant growth, with 710,000 customers, a 25.6% increase from the previous year.
The growth in fiber services is part of Sonatel's strategy to expand its high-speed internet offerings. The company aims to have one million eligible customers in Touba by the end of 2026. Sonatel's investments in network infrastructure were 231.5 billion FCFA, up from 203.1 billion FCFA in the same period last year. These investments represent 14.6% of the company's revenue.
On the stock market, Sonatel's shares underwent a split on October 26, with ten new shares issued for every one existing share. The company's management expressed its commitment to maintaining its growth momentum in the fourth quarter. However, the breakdown of results by country was not provided in the published reports.
Sonatel's performance in 2026 has been driven by its focus on expanding its data, Orange Money, and fiber services. The company's growth in these areas has contributed to its increased revenue and profitability. Sonatel's investments in network infrastructure have also supported its growth strategy.
Looking ahead, Sonatel aims to continue its growth trajectory, driven by its expanded customer base and increased investments in network infrastructure. The company's focus on high-speed internet services, including fiber, is expected to remain a key growth driver. With a strong performance in the first nine months of 2026, Sonatel is well-positioned to achieve its goals for the year.
Key points
- Sonatel's net profit increased by 12.9% to 354 billion FCFA over nine months.
- The company's revenue grew by 10.5% to 1,583 billion FCFA, driven by data, Orange Money, and fiber services.
- Sonatel's investments in network infrastructure were 231.5 billion FCFA, up from 203.1 billion FCFA in the same period last year.
