e&

Sector: Telecommunications, Technology

Country: UAE

Established in 1976 as Etisalat, e& has transformed from the UAE’s first telecom operator into one of the MENA region’s most iconic and fastest-growing global technology and investment groups. Rebranded as e& in 2022, the company has undergone a bold shift to become a “techco”, expanding far beyond traditional telecom into areas such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, fintech, media, and enterprise solutions.

This strategic evolution has earned e& global acclaim. In 2025, Brand Finance named it the “World’s Fastest Growing Brand”, awarding it a AAA rating and valuing the brand at $15.3bn an eightfold rise in one year. Its brand portfolio and investment value now exceed $20bn, placing e& among the top 10 telecom brands worldwide. Operating in 38 markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe, e& serves over 194.8 million subscribers

as of Q1 2025, including 15.3 million in the UAE alone. The company also supports over 300,000 enterprise and government clients with tailored digital and infrastructure solutions. e&’s growth is driven by ambitious acquisitions, including a controlling stake in PPF Telecom’s assets in Central and Eastern Europe and an expanded 15 per cent stake in Vodafone. Through its e& enterprise arm, it also acquired Turkish cloud company GlassHouse to boost its cloud services footprint in the region.

In Q1 2025, e& reported an 18.7 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Dhs 16.9bn, with net profit surging 129.9 per cent to Dhs 5.4bn. Its digital platforms are thriving— e& money tripled transaction volume, STARZ ON reached 1.44 million users, and Careem saw gross transaction value growth of 177 per cent.

With a Dhs 1bn+ strategic partnership with AWS, a new Miami hub for global connectivity, and the launch of the Al Ain Innovation Centre with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, e& continues to cement its role as a future-focused digital enabler. Under the leadership of group CEO Hatem Dowidar, the company remains committed to innovation, regional impact, and global expansion