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e& said in a statement that it has completed the sale of its entire investment in Vodafone generating proceeds of $5.95 billion. The Emirates News Agency distributed the announcement which detailed the divestment from the British telecommunications group. The company noted that the transaction closed successfully without providing additional terms or the identity of the buyer in the initial release.
Vodafone has maintained operations across Europe and Africa with a significant subscriber base that exceeded 300 million at the end of 2025 according to industry filings with European regulators. e& first acquired shares in Vodafone several years ago as part of a broader international expansion strategy the company outlined in earlier financial disclosures. The sale returns capital to e& which the statement indicated would support ongoing domestic and regional initiatives.
The UAE-based operator rebranded from Etisalat to e& in 2022 as it sought to position itself as a global technology player a shift documented in its annual reports from that period. Public filings with the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange show e& has pursued selective investments in telecom assets outside the Gulf while maintaining leadership in its home market. Wednesday’s announcement aligns with periodic reviews of its international holdings the company stated.
Telecom mergers and acquisitions in the Middle East and Europe have accelerated in recent years with aggregate deal volumes surpassing $40 billion in 2025 according to data compiled by Refinitiv. e& has participated in several such transactions including acquisitions in Africa and Asia that expanded its operational footprint the company’s historical releases confirm. The Vodafone stake sale represents one of the larger individual exits by a Gulf-based entity in the sector this year the statement added.
Proceeds from the transaction will contribute to e&’s overall financial flexibility the company said without specifying exact allocation plans. The operator continues to invest in 5G networks and digital services across its primary markets according to updates in its quarterly earnings materials. Further information on the impact to e&’s balance sheet is expected in forthcoming regulatory filings.
