7.Administrative expenses | | | | | | | | | | | Three months ended | | Six months ended | | | June 30, | | June 30, | | June 30, | | June 30, | | | 2026 | | 2025(a) | | 2026 | | 2025(a) | | | $'m | | $'m | | $'m | | $'m | | | | | | | | | | Staff costs(b) | | 85.6 | | 43.3 | | 159.3 | | 83.1 | Net loss allowance on trade receivables | | 0.2 | | 1.3 | | 4.3 | | 1.7 | Professional fees(c) | | 22.7 | | 8.8 | | 36.4 | | 18.2 | Facilities, short-term rental and upkeep | | 8.5 | | 7.2 | | 16.1 | | 14.3 | Travel costs | | 2.6 | | 2.6 | | 5.1 | | 4.8 | Depreciation | | 1.5 | | 1.9 | | 2.9 | | 4.3 | Amortization | | 0.3 | | 0.2 | | 0.5 | | 0.5 | Net gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets | | (1.9) | | (2.2) | | (3.3) | | (3.2) | Operating taxes | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | | 0.2 | | 0.3 | Business combination costs | | 5.5 | | 0.3 | | 14.7 | | 1.2 | Net impairment (reversal)/loss of withholding tax receivables(d) | | (4.9) | | (0.5) | | 0.6 | | (12.9) | Other | | 5.1 | | 5.3 | | 9.4 | | 8.9 | | | 125.4 | | 68.4 | | 246.2 | | 121.2 |
| (a) | The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 have been re-presented to reflect that the result of the Latam segment is now reported as a discontinued operation. See note 21.1 for more information. |
| (b) | Includes amounts related to key management personnel (excluding Non-Executive directors) and share-based payment expense. The amount for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 includes accelerated charges of $10.1 million and $25.7 million respectively for share-based payment expenses and long-term employee benefits of $39.9 million and $57.4 million respectively that result from changes in expected vesting periods and estimated amounts expected to be settled following the February 2026 announcement by the Group that it had entered into a merger agreement to be acquired by MTN Group Limited. |
| (c) | Further advisor fees of up to $42.0 million, not included within the above, are contingently payable dependent on the closing of the planned merger agreement with MTN Group Limited. |
| (d) | Withholding tax receivables are assessed for recoverability based on a five year cash flow projection and an analysis of the utilization of withholding tax balances in settlement of future income tax liabilities. See note 13 for more information. |
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