Bharti Airtel has unveiled an ambitious investment plan of ₹20,000 crore to scale up operations of its newly established non-banking financial company (NBFC), marking a significant strategic expansion into India’s rapidly growing digital financial services sector. The investment, to be deployed over the next few years, is intended to strengthen the company’s lending capabilities, enhance technological infrastructure, and broaden its product offerings in the financial ecosystem.

Key Highlights

• Bharti Airtel to invest ₹20,000 crore to scale up its newly launched NBFC and digital lending operations.
• Strategic move strengthens Airtel’s expansion into fintech, enhancing credit access through technology-driven financial solutions.

Of the total capital infusion, 70% will be contributed by Bharti Airtel, while the remaining portion will be funded by its promoter group, Bharti Enterprises. This move follows the company’s receipt of regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a non-deposit-taking NBFC, enabling it to commence lending activities and expand its financial services portfolio.

The new NBFC will focus primarily on digital lending solutions, catering to individuals, small businesses, and underserved segments across the country. Leveraging Airtel’s extensive customer base, nationwide digital distribution network, and robust data analytics capabilities, the company aims to improve access to formal credit, particularly in semi-urban and rural regions where traditional banking penetration remains limited.

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This strategic foray into financial services is aligned with Airtel’s broader diversification roadmap, which seeks to reduce dependence on its core telecom business while unlocking new revenue streams. By integrating lending services with its existing payments and digital platforms, Airtel plans to create a comprehensive and seamless financial ecosystem for its customers.

The initiative underscores the growing convergence of telecom and financial services, positioning Airtel to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s digital finance landscape.