Airtel’s next big leap: High-scale NBFC platform in the works

The NBFC subsidiary will be capitalised with Rs 20,000 crore to be injected over the next few years. Airtel will contribute 70% with the promoter group via Bharti Enterprises Limited, bringing in the balance 30%.

With strong digital assets, a large data and analytics engine powered by 500+ data scientists, and deep operational expertise, Airtel aims to rapidly expand access to simple, secure, and innovative digital financial services across India.

Airtel has built a high‑performance credit engine over the last two years, powered by its digital platform and deeply integrated channels, resulting in one of India’s strongest lending service provider (LSP) models.

The platform has already achieved hyperscale adoption with over ₹9,000 crore in disbursements - supported by best‑in‑class delinquency outcomes, driven by robust underwriting models, disciplined portfolio management, and real‑time risk monitoring.

“The success of our LSP platform over the past two years is proof of our ability to combine technology, data, and customer trust to deliver impact at a national scale. We have built one of India’s most trusted and scalable digital credit engines—reaching millions with high‑quality credit supported by industry‑best performance metrics,” said Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Bharti Airtel. “Our NBFC expansion strengthens this foundation and reflects our ambition to build a differentiated, future‑ready digital lending business - one that stands for trust, innovation, and financial inclusion.”

Airtel Money received its NBFC license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on February 13, 2026.

This strategic expansion in India’s fast-growing financial services sector underscores Airtel’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion and empowering underserved consumers. Formal credit to GDP ratio in India is at 53%, according to Care Edge Ratings, and highlights the scope for lending in the country.

The expansion is also a natural adjacency that will leverage the large Airtel customer base to build the next growth engine for the company and further diversify its portfolio.

The disbursement journey of the NBFC will be seamlessly integrated with the LSP platform, while maintaining clear operational segregation between the two, giving the customer best-in-class experience. By combining technology, data, and customer understanding at scale, Airtel aims to set a new benchmark for digital financial services in India.