By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia /Lusaka
Airtel Zambia has announced a major US$107 million countrywide network extension project, being implemented within a single year.
The programme is partly aimed at strengthening network reliability and resilience in the face of power-related challenges. The investment includes the roll-out of 406 of new sites nationwide to improve coverage and capacity. 121 sites are already operational, while the remaining 285 are expected to be completed by March, 2026.
The telecommunication company has also expanded its 5G coverage from 150 sites to 422 sites to date, and expects to have more than 500 sites by the end of March, 2026.
Speaking during a media engagement event in Lusaka, Airtel Managing Director Hussam Baday, said the expansion is one of the company’s most significant infrastructure commitments in recent years and reflects its long-term vision for a digitally empowered Zambia.
“Airtel is implementing a US$107 million network expansion this year alone, one of our most significant infrastructure commitments in recent years. In the last five years, we have spent about US$240 million on investment.”
“This one-year program that I am talking about covers 406 new sites nationwide, and I am pleased to share that we have already completed 121 sites, and we have 285 sites scheduled to be completed by March 2026,” he added.
Mr. Baday stated that despite the ongoing electricity supply constraints, the company remains fully committed to delivering reliable services and supporting Zambia’s growing demand for digital connectivity and services.
He emphasized that the investment is deliberately focused on improving coverage in underserved and border areas, increasing capacity in high-traffic zones, and strengthening network reliability and resilience.
Mr. Baday observed that power interruptions remain a major challenge affecting the quality and reliability of telecommunication services across Zambia.
He noted that severe load shedding experienced over the past four months has at times constrained network performance, particularly in high-traffic areas.
Mr. Baday acknowledged the frustration experienced by customers in recent months, noting that prolonged load shedding has placed immense pressure on network operations, as telecommunications infrastructure is highly dependent on consistent power supply.
“However, it is very gratifying to note that we have seen an improvement in the power availability in the last week or so which has resulted in an improvement of the customer experience and just very important to note that telecommunication is highly dependent on the power because all our sites need to have a power and they need to be connected. If there is no grid, there is no alternative or solution, like batteries and generators,” he said.
Mr. Baday reaffirmed the company’s commitment to keeping customers informed through regular public updates on network improvements, while continuing to invest in infrastructure that can better withstand operational challenges caused by power interruptions.
And in a move to enhance customer safety, Airtel also highlighted the launch of an AI-based Spam Alert solution in May 2025. The system flags suspected spam and fraudulent SMS messages in real time, warning customers before they engage.
Since its launch, the solution has flagged over 65 million messages, averaging about 300,000 suspected spam messages per day, significantly reducing customer exposure to fraud.
