In a game-changing announcement, Bharti Airtel revealed a Rs 20,000 crore war chest for its NBFC venture, Airtel Money Limited, to ramp up digital lending capabilities. Made public on Monday, the plan spans several years and signals Airtel’s aggressive entry into finance.
Set to bolster its market position in India’s dynamic financial sector, the funds will address key credit shortages plaguing the economy. The telecom behemoth commits 70% of the capital, supplemented by 30% from Bharti Enterprises.
Gopal Vittal, the firm’s Executive Vice Chairman, lauded the platform’s efficacy in harnessing technology, data insights, and customer confidence. ‘This NBFC growth strengthens our core strengths and advances our goal of pioneering trusted, innovative digital lending for inclusive finance,’ he remarked.
The NBFC license from RBI, granted February 13, 2026, paves the way for broader financial inclusion through user-friendly, secure digital offerings tailored for mass adoption.
Airtel’s two-year-old lending ecosystem has already disbursed exceeding Rs 9,000 crore, propelled by a sophisticated LSP model emphasizing rigorous underwriting, smart portfolio handling, and instantaneous risk controls.
Fueled by a 500-strong data science team, the platform’s analytics prowess has delivered accelerated expansion alongside reliable credit outcomes. Per regulations, Airtel Money holds RBI certification, though the bank offers no assurances on its stability or obligations.
This bold financial foray could catapult Airtel into fintech leadership, leveraging its vast user base to democratize lending and fuel economic inclusion across urban and rural India.