Airtel to Invest ₹20,000 Crore to Build Large Digital NBFC Platform

Bharti Airtel has announced a major expansion of its Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) business. The company aims to build one of India’s largest and most trusted digital financial services platforms through its subsidiary, Airtel Money Limited.

₹20,000 Crore Capital Investment

The NBFC will be capitalised with ₹20,000 crore over the next few years. Airtel will contribute 70% of the capital, while the promoter group, through Bharti Enterprises Limited, will invest the remaining 30%.

This investment shows Airtel’s strong commitment to reducing India’s credit gap and expanding access to formal lending.

Strong Digital and Data Capabilities

Airtel plans to use its strong digital network, customer base, and data analytics capabilities to grow its lending business. The company has more than 500 data scientists supporting its analytics engine.

Over the last two years, Airtel has built a strong Lending Service Provider (LSP) platform. It has already disbursed over ₹9,000 crore in loans with strong risk management and low delinquency levels.

The company combines technology, data insights, and disciplined portfolio management to offer secure and simple digital loans.

RBI License Approval

Airtel Money received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13, 2026.

However, as per RBI guidelines, the central bank has clarified that while it has granted the registration certificate, it does not guarantee the company’s financial soundness or take responsibility for repayment of liabilities.

Focus on Financial Inclusion

India’s formal credit-to-GDP ratio stands at 53%, according to Care Edge Ratings, showing strong growth potential in lending. Airtel sees this as an opportunity to expand financial inclusion, especially among underserved customers.

The NBFC operations will work closely with Airtel’s existing LSP platform, while maintaining operational separation. This will ensure a smooth customer experience while following regulatory norms.

About Airtel

Headquartered in India, Airtel serves over 600 million customers across 15 countries in India and Africa. It is among the top three mobile operators globally and India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider.

Its services include 4G/5G mobile networks, broadband, digital payments, enterprise solutions, cloud services, cybersecurity, and more.

Read More: NSE Unveils Nanosecond Trading Speeds, Aiming for 100 Million Trades Per Second.

Airtel Share Price Movement

Bharti Airtel share price (NSE: BHARTIARTL) closed at ₹1,997.00 on February 23 at 3:30 pm IST, gaining ₹19.60 or 0.99% for the day. The stock opened at ₹1,994.00 and touched an intraday high of ₹2,000.50 and a low of ₹1,983.90. Its 52-week high stands at ₹2,174.50, while the 52-week low is ₹1,559.50. Airtel offers a dividend yield of 0.80%, with a quarterly dividend amount of ₹3.99 per share.

Conclusion

Airtel’s ₹20,000 crore investment in its NBFC arm marks a major step toward building a large-scale digital lending platform in India. By combining technology, data expertise, and its vast customer base, Airtel aims to strengthen financial inclusion and create a new long-term growth engine for the company.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.