<p>Phosphorus (P) is essential for plant development, but its availability is often limited in tropical soils due to high fixation. Pearl millet (<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i>), widely cultivated in low-fertility regions, may benefit from strategies that enhance P-use efficiency. Among these strategies is the use of entomopathogenic fungi, such as <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> and <i>Beauveria bassiana</i>. This research aimed to evaluate the efficiency of P use in millet plants inoculated with these fungi and the effects on crop development. The experiment followed a factorial design (5 × 3) in a completely randomized arrangement, with five P rates (0, 90, 180, 360 and 430&#xa0;mg&#xa0;kg⁻¹) and three fungal treatments (control, <i>B. bassiana</i>, and <i>M. anisopliae</i>). Plants were cultivated for 45&#xa0;days in a controlled environment, with analyses of biometric parameters, P content, photosynthetic pigments, acid phosphatase activity, and P absorption and use efficiency. Inoculated plants with <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> and <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> showed superior growth, with root dry mass increasing by 40% and shoot dry mass by 25%. Additionally, acid phosphatase activity increased by 17%, and P uptake efficiency increased by 37% with <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> inoculation. Inoculation with these fungi may contribute to sustainable agricultural practices, especially in low-fertility soils, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>