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Airtel Africa (AAF) Competitors

Airtel Africa logo
GBX 338.83 0.00 (0.00%)
As of 07/3/2026 12:35 PM Eastern

AAF vs. VOD, BT.A, ZEG, ISAT, and HTWS

Should you buy Airtel Africa stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Airtel Africa with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Airtel Africa include Vodafone Group Public (VOD), BT Group (BT.A), Zegona Communications (ZEG), Inmarsat (ISAT), and Helios Towers (HTWS). These companies are all part of the "telecom services" industry.

How does Airtel Africa compare to Vodafone Group Public?

Airtel Africa (LON:AAF) and Vodafone Group Public (LON:VOD) are both large-cap communication services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, risk, profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and valuation.

Airtel Africa has a net margin of 10.58% compared to Vodafone Group Public's net margin of -1.02%. Airtel Africa's return on equity of 23.75% beat Vodafone Group Public's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Airtel Africa10.58% 23.75% 9.60%
Vodafone Group Public -1.02%-0.79%1.45%

Airtel Africa currently has a consensus target price of GBX 450, indicating a potential upside of 32.81%. Vodafone Group Public has a consensus target price of GBX 114.60, indicating a potential upside of 15.96%. Given Airtel Africa's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Airtel Africa is more favorable than Vodafone Group Public.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Airtel Africa
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Vodafone Group Public
2 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

In the previous week, Airtel Africa had 2 more articles in the media than Vodafone Group Public. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Airtel Africa and 1 mentions for Vodafone Group Public. Airtel Africa's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat Vodafone Group Public's score of -0.45 indicating that Airtel Africa is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Airtel Africa
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Vodafone Group Public
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Airtel Africa pays an annual dividend of GBX 6.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Vodafone Group Public pays an annual dividend of GBX 4.55 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Airtel Africa pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Vodafone Group Public pays out -275.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Vodafone Group Public is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Airtel Africa has a beta of 0.472, indicating that its stock price is 53% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Vodafone Group Public has a beta of 0.317, indicating that its stock price is 68% less volatile than the broader market.

5.5% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 59.2% of Vodafone Group Public shares are owned by institutional investors. 24.9% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Vodafone Group Public shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Vodafone Group Public has higher revenue and earnings than Airtel Africa. Vodafone Group Public is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Airtel Africa, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Airtel Africa£6.42B1.93-£97.44M£18.6018.22
Vodafone Group Public£40.46B0.56£797.39M-£1.65N/A

Summary

Airtel Africa beats Vodafone Group Public on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Airtel Africa compare to BT Group?

Airtel Africa (LON:AAF) and BT Group (LON:BT.A) are both large-cap telecom services industry companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Airtel Africa pays an annual dividend of GBX 6.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. BT Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 8.21 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.4%. Airtel Africa pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. BT Group pays out 76.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Airtel Africa has a net margin of 10.58% compared to BT Group's net margin of 4.11%. Airtel Africa's return on equity of 23.75% beat BT Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Airtel Africa10.58% 23.75% 9.60%
BT Group 4.11%6.33%3.77%

Airtel Africa has a beta of 0.472, meaning that its share price is 53% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, BT Group has a beta of 0.69, meaning that its share price is 31% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, BT Group had 5 more articles in the media than Airtel Africa. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for BT Group and 3 mentions for Airtel Africa. Airtel Africa's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat BT Group's score of 0.30 indicating that Airtel Africa is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Airtel Africa
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
BT Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Airtel Africa presently has a consensus target price of GBX 450, suggesting a potential upside of 32.81%. Given Airtel Africa's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Airtel Africa is more favorable than BT Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Airtel Africa
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
BT Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
0.00

BT Group has higher revenue and earnings than Airtel Africa. BT Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Airtel Africa, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Airtel Africa£6.42B1.93-£97.44M£18.6018.22
BT Group£19.65B0.93£855M£10.8017.45

5.5% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 44.7% of BT Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 24.9% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of BT Group shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Airtel Africa beats BT Group on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Airtel Africa compare to Zegona Communications?

Zegona Communications (LON:ZEG) and Airtel Africa (LON:AAF) are both communication services companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, media sentiment, valuation, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and institutional ownership.

Zegona Communications has a beta of 3.431, suggesting that its stock price is 243% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Airtel Africa has a beta of 0.472, suggesting that its stock price is 53% less volatile than the broader market.

Airtel Africa has higher revenue and earnings than Zegona Communications. Zegona Communications is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Airtel Africa, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Zegona Communications£3.63B0.97-£136.50M-£30.00N/A
Airtel Africa£6.42B1.93-£97.44M£18.6018.22

Airtel Africa has a net margin of 10.58% compared to Zegona Communications' net margin of -5.22%. Airtel Africa's return on equity of 23.75% beat Zegona Communications' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Zegona Communications-5.22% -23.48% -0.50%
Airtel Africa 10.58%23.75%9.60%

In the previous week, Airtel Africa had 1 more articles in the media than Zegona Communications. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Airtel Africa and 2 mentions for Zegona Communications. Zegona Communications' average media sentiment score of 1.84 beat Airtel Africa's score of 0.67 indicating that Zegona Communications is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Zegona Communications
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Airtel Africa
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

42.0% of Zegona Communications shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.5% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by institutional investors. 41.7% of Zegona Communications shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 24.9% of Airtel Africa shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Zegona Communications currently has a consensus price target of GBX 2,000, indicating a potential upside of 29.03%. Airtel Africa has a consensus price target of GBX 450, indicating a potential upside of 32.81%. Given Airtel Africa's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Airtel Africa is more favorable than Zegona Communications.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Zegona Communications
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Airtel Africa
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Summary

Airtel Africa beats Zegona Communications on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Airtel Africa compare to Inmarsat?

Airtel Africa (LON:AAF) and Inmarsat (LON:ISAT) are both telecom services industry companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, risk, earnings and profitability.

Inmarsat has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Airtel Africa. Inmarsat is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Airtel Africa, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Airtel Africa£6.42B1.93-£97.44M£18.6018.22
Inmarsat£1.44B0.00N/A-£13.10N/A

Airtel Africa presently has a consensus price target of GBX 450, indicating a potential upside of 32.81%. Given Airtel Africa's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Airtel Africa is more favorable than Inmarsat.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Airtel Africa
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Inmarsat
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
0.00

5.5% of Airtel Africa shares are held by institutional investors. 24.9% of Airtel Africa shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Airtel Africa has a net margin of 10.58% compared to Inmarsat's net margin of 0.00%. Airtel Africa's return on equity of 23.75% beat Inmarsat's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Airtel Africa10.58% 23.75% 9.60%
Inmarsat N/A N/A N/A

In the previous week, Airtel Africa had 3 more articles in the media than Inmarsat. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Airtel Africa and 0 mentions for Inmarsat. Airtel Africa's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat Inmarsat's score of 0.00 indicating that Airtel Africa is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Airtel Africa Positive
Inmarsat Neutral

Airtel Africa pays an annual dividend of GBX 6.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Inmarsat pays an annual dividend of GBX 0.16 per share. Airtel Africa pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Inmarsat pays out -1.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Summary

Airtel Africa beats Inmarsat on 14 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Airtel Africa compare to Helios Towers?

Helios Towers (LON:HTWS) and Airtel Africa (LON:AAF) are both communication services companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, earnings, risk, analyst recommendations and media sentiment.

Helios Towers currently has a consensus price target of GBX 261.67, indicating a potential upside of 29.06%. Airtel Africa has a consensus price target of GBX 450, indicating a potential upside of 32.81%. Given Airtel Africa's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Airtel Africa is more favorable than Helios Towers.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Helios Towers
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Airtel Africa
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Helios Towers has a beta of 1.119, suggesting that its stock price is 12% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Airtel Africa has a beta of 0.472, suggesting that its stock price is 53% less volatile than the broader market.

Airtel Africa has higher revenue and earnings than Helios Towers. Airtel Africa is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Helios Towers, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Helios Towers£854.10M2.43-£153.56M£3.3061.44
Airtel Africa£6.42B1.93-£97.44M£18.6018.22

Airtel Africa has a net margin of 10.58% compared to Helios Towers' net margin of 9.29%. Helios Towers' return on equity of 115.68% beat Airtel Africa's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Helios Towers9.29% 115.68% 5.84%
Airtel Africa 10.58%23.75%9.60%

In the previous week, Airtel Africa had 2 more articles in the media than Helios Towers. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Airtel Africa and 1 mentions for Helios Towers. Airtel Africa's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat Helios Towers' score of 0.15 indicating that Airtel Africa is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Helios Towers
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Airtel Africa
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

35.3% of Helios Towers shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 5.5% of Airtel Africa shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Helios Towers shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 24.9% of Airtel Africa shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Airtel Africa beats Helios Towers on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding AAF and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of LON and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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AAF vs. The Competition

MetricAirtel AfricaTelecom Services IndustryCommunication SectorLON Exchange
Market Cap£12.36B£11.27B£3.27B£2.83B
Dividend Yield1.55%9.44%6.76%6.15%
P/E Ratio18.228.5215.26368.96
Price / Sales1.9347.22104.4385,974.72
Price / Cash6.4829.3615.7027.87
Price / Book5.804.985.017.75
Net Income-£97.44M£591.42M£128.81M£5.89B
7 Day Performance0.97%-1.95%0.10%0.91%
1 Month Performance-1.36%-3.74%-1.60%-0.37%
1 Year Performance90.14%4.91%-5.17%70.53%

Airtel Africa Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
AAF
Airtel Africa
3.9121 of 5 stars
GBX 338.83
flat
GBX 450
+32.8%
+90.1%£12.36B£6.42B18.224,098
VOD
Vodafone Group Public
3.3605 of 5 stars
GBX 99.60
flat
GBX 114.60
+15.1%
+21.1%£22.93B£40.46BN/A104,000
BT.A
BT Group
N/AGBX 190.10
flat
N/A-4.2%£18.52B£19.65B17.6098,400
ZEG
Zegona Communications
3.7633 of 5 stars
GBX 1,611.95
+1.3%
GBX 2,000
+24.1%
+106.7%£3.65B£3.63B146.546
ISAT
Inmarsat
N/AN/AN/AN/A£2.56B£1.44BN/A1,800

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This page (LON:AAF) was last updated on 7/6/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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