ADIA sells Ooredoo stake as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority prepares to sell 160.5 million shares in Qatari telecom giant Ooredoo. This sale marks about half of ADIA’s 10 percent stake and is expected to raise between QR1.99 billion and QR2.09 billion ($546 million to $572 million). Ooredoo CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said this is the first transaction of its kind in Qatar, aimed at broadening the shareholder base and increasing liquidity on the Qatar Stock Exchange.
Sale structure and details
The shares are being offered to institutional investors, with the price range set between QR12.4 and QR13 per share. The final price will be determined through a bookbuilding process, with subscription running from November 18 to 19. Trading is expected to begin on November 20, 2025. As a secondary offering, Ooredoo itself will receive no proceeds from the sale, and no new shares are being issued. After the sale, ADIA’s holding will reduce from 10 percent to approximately 5 percent.
Ooredoo’s performance and growth prospects
Ooredoo operates extensively across the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. The company serves around 150 million customers and reported revenue of QR18.2 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 3 percent year-on-year increase. Net profit was QR3.1 billion, up 6 percent from the previous year. The company focuses on digital infrastructure investments like data centers, subsea cables, fintech, and towers to position itself for future growth.
Broader market and strategic implications
ADIA has been an Ooredoo shareholder since its 1998 listing and considers this sale part of a long-term investment strategy to realize value while enhancing market liquidity. This fully marketed offering will raise Ooredoo’s free float from 22 percent to at least 27 percent, with expectations to increase to 30 percent soon. The sale is managed by Citi, HSBC, and Qatar National Bank, ensuring compliance with international securities regulations. This transaction (160.5 million shares) highlights shifting investment dynamics in the Gulf region and supports Ooredoo’s ambitions amid regional economic developments.
