Data services anchor growth in BTCL profits
Lucy Kgweetsi | Monday December 8, 2025 06:00
The telecomms group defied a general contraction in the economy over the same period, as its continued investment in network modernisation paid off.
According to BTCL’s results released to the Botswana Stock Exchange this week, revenues over the half year grew to P796 million, a 10.3% increase in comparison with the same period last year, supported by strong performance in mobile money, digital services, and data-related products.
Directors noted resilient growth in data services, with mobile data growing by eight percent and broadband by one percent. “Revenue was further supported by the successful delivery of a digital project, which provided an additional uplift to overall results,” the directors stated. “Mobile money and digital services continue to show sustained growth, reinforcing BTC’s ongoing transformation journey and its commitment to delivering innovative solutions to customers.”
The telecomms group, however, acknowledged that increased spectrum licence fees and impairment charges affected results. Cost of services and goods sold amounted to P327 million, up from P267 million in the previous corresponding period, with directors noting that the group maintained stable margins and disciplined cost management.
Earnings per share rose to 10.97 thebe, up from 6.80 thebe in the same period last year, as BTCL declared an interim dividend of 5.15 thebe.
In a press statement after the release of the results, BTCL's new managing director, Jürgen Peschel, hailed the strategy that the telecomms group is pursuing.
“These results show that our strategy is working,” he said. “We are growing in the right areas, becoming more efficient, and building a stronger business for the long term. “Most importantly, we are improving the experience for our customers.”
He said, looking forward, the group’s leadership was on further modernisation to support the customer experience.
“Leadership stability continues to support consistent delivery as BTC modernises its infrastructure, simplifies services, and strengthens customer experience. “The results reflect operational stability, disciplined cost management, and continued investment in network modernisation,” he said.
Driving its evolution into a modern, digital-first business, BTCL is making major investments in network expansion and upgrades, extending coverage to 105 communities and introducing Voice over LTE (VoLTE) for clearer, more reliable calls.
It is also advancing enterprise transformation through enhanced data-centre hosting services, cloud-based disaster recovery, and Cybersecurity-as-a-Service solutions to strengthen national digital resilience.
These efforts sit alongside several other ongoing initiatives designed to elevate customer experience and expand digital inclusion across the country, officials said.