Vodafone Egypt deal delay beneficial: Expert

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Updated 14 July 2020
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Vodafone Egypt deal delay beneficial: Expert

  • The delay of the agreement gives STC time to consider the variables that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic

RIYADH: The Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has said it will need two additional months to close an acquisition deal to buy a 55 percent stake in Vodafone Egypt.

According to a logistics expert, Zael Aldayhani, the delay gives STC time to consider the variables that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes brought on by the global health crisis.

STC concluded a deal in January to buy the stake for $2.4 billion, then decided in April to extend the process for 90 days due to logistical challenges stemming from the spread of COVID-19.

STC said it would extend the period again — to September — for the same reason. Vodafone Egypt is the largest mobile operator in Egypt with over 44 million subscribers and a 40 percent market share. The Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund owns a majority stake in STC.

Aldayhani said the Saudi-Egyptian deal was encountering difficult times and challenges, significantly the inability of the team to travel and move around.

“Movement and travel is difficult in both countries in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he told Arab News. “Another challenge is the absence of accurate investment forecasts for the sector.”

There are numerous aspects of the deal that should be addressed, a matter that was hard for the time being, and it was natural to extend the period in the present conditions and circumstances. However, this postponement did not mean that the deal had been canceled. Assessment was essential in order to determine the fair price of the shares available for acquisition, he added.

Aldayhani believed that the extension would be beneficial for STC because the company would be able to carefully study the variables that had taken place before and after the pandemic for a more accurate picture.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.