#Abu Dhabi #UAE #Financial Growth #Telecommunications #Etisalat

Etisalat's Record-Breaking Performance in 2026

In an impressive financial display, Etisalat has reported a remarkable growth in its performance for the first nine months of 2026, showcasing a consolidated net profit of AED 17.2 billion. This figure marks an incredible 46% increase compared to the same period last year. As the leading telecommunications company in the region, Etisalat has not only committed to connectivity but has also expanded its influence in the digital landscape through advanced technology and infrastructure.

Key Financial Highlights

The company reported consolidated revenue of AED 57.6 billion for the nine months ending September 2026, a 10.0% increase year-on-year. In the third quarter alone, Etisalat achieved AED 19.5 billion in consolidated revenue, reflecting growth of 6.9% compared to the same quarter in 2025. Alongside the increase in net profit, the EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for Q3 also rose by 5.1%, reaching AED 9 billion. The overall EBITDA for the first nine months was recorded at AED 26.7 billion, amounting to a 10.3% increase year on year with a margin of 46.4%.

One of the critical drivers for this performance has been the ongoing development of digital capabilities and integration of artificial intelligence into their service offerings. Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Group CEO of Etisalat, emphasized that the financial results underscore the resilience of their business model as they continue to harness opportunities within the telecommunications sector and translate them into tangible results for stakeholders.

Subscriber Growth

Another notable achievement is the substantial growth in Etisalat's subscriber base, which has increased to 254.8 million. This is a 29.4% growth compared to the same timeframe last year. Specifically, in the UAE, subscribers grew by 5.2% to reach 16.5 million, driven by the rising demand for advanced digital services and smart connectivity solutions.

Strategic Moves and Future Aspirations

As Etisalat celebrates its 50th anniversary, it has unveiled an ambitious vision aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence to pave its path into the future as a leading telecommunications enterprise. The strategic initiatives include enhancing their international connectivity capacity to over 500 terabits per second by 2030, more than 25 times their current capability, as well as developing diverse routes designed for efficiency and reliability. This reaffirms the pivotal role of digital infrastructure as a cornerstone for supporting emerging technologies and facilitating an economy driven by knowledge and innovation.

In addition to solidifying their telecom infrastructure, Etisalat aims to address the growing global demand for cybersecurity, cloud computing, and financial technologies as part of this new era of digital transformation. The company’s recent divestment of its total stake in Vodafone Group, which generated AED 21.9 billion, further enhances its financial flexibility and impacts its performance positively.

Etisalat remains focused on establishing itself as a primary enabler of the digital future within the UAE and beyond. The aim is not merely to maintain effective communication channels but to create the smart infrastructure that will define the future of the digital economy.

Masood concluded by stating, "Etisalat's legacy combines sustained value generation with a transformative approach to technology in the business realm. We are committed to enabling the networks of tomorrow while reinforcing the UAE's position at the center of the global digital economy." With this vision, Etisalat reaffirms its pledge to invest confidently and lead in the global market for the next fifty years.