UNITEL, Angola's leading mobile operator, has posted strong first-half earnings across every key metric. The company's operational revenue reached 274 billion kwanzas, up 17% year on year, driven by rising mobile data demand and rapid digital-service adoption across Angola. This performance positions UNITEL as a clear bellwether for the country's broader digital economy. The results demonstrate the company's ability to capitalize on growing demand for digital services.
UNITEL's revenue and profitability both accelerated in the first half of 2026. EBITDA reached 91 billion kwanzas, up 15% year on year, according to the company's market communication. The EBITDA margin held steady at 33.3%, while net income came in at 66.3 billion kwanzas. The growth was attributed to three key drivers: the mobile business, residential services, and expanding digital-product uptake. These results reflect the company's diversified revenue streams and improving operational efficiency.
Data consumption was a significant contributor to UNITEL's growth, rising 43% compared with the same period in 2025. This surge in data demand signals a structural shift in the market, driven by increasing adoption of digital services. The operator reported a positive balance of 32.8 billion kwanzas between EBITDA and capital expenditure, providing management with flexibility to fund network upgrades without straining the balance sheet. This financial headroom will be crucial in supporting UNITEL's future growth plans.
UNITEL's network expansion has been a key factor in its growth, with the company ending the first half with more than 21.2 million subscribers. Its infrastructure reached 12,302 base stations, up 13% from the same period in 2025. Network availability was recorded at 99.998%, demonstrating the company's commitment to improving its network quality and coverage. These figures are commercially significant, as each new base station extends coverage into underserved areas and higher network availability reduces churn and supports enterprise contracts.
The expansion of UNITEL's network also creates opportunities for adjacent industries, including equipment suppliers, cloud providers, cybersecurity firms, and enterprise software vendors. As UNITEL deepens its digital infrastructure, these companies stand to benefit from the growing demand for digital services. However, the pace of monetization will depend on sustained data demand and disciplined capital allocation. UNITEL's ability to balance growth with profitability will be crucial in determining its long-term success.
Angola's digital economy is showing signs of growth, with UNITEL's earnings indicating that data demand is becoming the central growth engine for the country's telecoms market. The Instituto Nacional das Comunicações de Angola has been pushing network-quality standards and coverage targets, and UNITEL's base-station growth and uptime figures suggest the operator is meeting those benchmarks ahead of schedule. This progress has direct implications for cloud, digital payments, and enterprise services across the country.
Looking ahead, investors and corporate partners will be watching two key indicators in the second half: data monetization rates and early returns from cloud and enterprise-service contracts. Both will determine whether UNITEL can convert its strong operational momentum into durable margin expansion. The company also continued its programmes in education, healthcare, and local entrepreneurship during the period, reinforcing its operating licence and supporting brand loyalty in competitive markets.
Key points
- UNITEL's operational revenue reached 274 billion kwanzas in H1 2026, up 17% year on year.
- Data consumption rose 43% compared with the same period in 2025, driven by increasing adoption of digital services.
- UNITEL's EBITDA reached 91 billion kwanzas, up 15% year on year, with an EBITDA margin of 33.3%.
