Shareholders acknowledge completion of Axiata 5*5
and endorse pivot to Axiata28: Advancing Asia strategy

KUALA LUMPUR – Axiata Group Berhad (“Axiata” or the “Group”) concluded its 34^th Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) today, with shareholders expressing support for the Group’s strategic direction and continued focus on value creation. All seven (7) resolutions tabled during the AGM were successfully passed.

Axiata delivered a resilient performance in FY2025, with improved cash flow and a stronger balance sheet. The Group received RM1.7 billion in dividends from its operating companies, underpinned by strong cash flow. Operating free cash flow rose by 12.8% year‑on‑year (“YoY”) to RM1.6 billion, supporting improved liquidity at the holding company level. Net Debt to EBITDA also improved to 2.46x from 2.74x in FY2024, reflecting continued debt reduction at the holding company, EDOTCO and frontier market operating companies. Profit After Tax and Minority Interests (“PATAMI”) for FY2025 stood at RM364.6 million, while underlying PATAMI increased by 36.3% YoY to RM536.7 million.

In 2025, Axiata continued to consolidate its position as a leading Asian telecoms and technology group through focused execution of the Axiata 5*5 strategy. This was supported by strong earnings from frontier markets, synergy realisation within jointly controlled entities and continued balance sheet strengthening.

The Group’s jointly controlled entity, CelcomDigi, strengthened its position as Malaysia’s largest telecommunications provider, closing FY2025 with 20.6 million subscribers. Profit After Tax (“PAT”) rose by 10.1% YoY to RM1.53 billion, contributing RM574.7 million in dividends to the Group. CelcomDigi remains on track to achieve steady-state savings of RM800 million post 2027.

In Indonesia, post-merger integration at XLSMART is progressing ahead of schedule, positioning the business for margin expansion in FY2026. The business delivered approximately USD250 million gross synergies in the first year, exceeding its FY2025 synergy target of USD150–200 million, and contributed RM390.6 million in upstream dividends.

Axiata’s frontier market operations recorded strong profit and cash flow growth, despite macroeconomic and currency pressures. Frontier markets contributed RM694.8 million in upstream dividends, including RM253.4 million from Dialog, RM142.3 million from Robi and RM299.2 million from Smart. Operating performance remained resilient, with YoY PATAMI growth of 66.7% at Dialog, 33.3% at Robi and 5.9% at Smart, driven by disciplined cost management, improving ARPU and focused execution. However, the strengthening of Ringgit against these operating currencies resulted in adverse translation impacts on reported performance.

Simultaneously, Axiata continued to prioritise strengthening its financial resilience in FY2025, through disciplined capital management and sustained Group-wide deleveraging, with holding company debt falling to RM7.0 billion. This strategy-driven approach will continue to underpin sustainable shareholder returns going forward.

The following resolutions were passed by shareholders at the AGM:

1. Re-election of Directors – Resolutions 1 to 3
   Khoo Gaik Bee and Mohamad Hafiz Kassim, who retired by rotation pursuant to Clause 104 of the Constitution, were duly re-elected as Directors. Shareholders also approved the re-election of Didi Syafruddin Yahya, who retired in accordance with Clause 110(ii) of the Constitution.

2. Directors’ Fees and Benefits – Resolutions 4 to 5
   The fees and benefits payable to the Non‑Executive Chairman and Non‑Executive Directors of Axiata and its subsidiaries were approved to take effect from the 34th AGM until the next AGM.

3. Reappointment of Auditors – Resolution 6
   PricewaterhouseCoopers PLT was appointed as the auditors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 December 2026, together with the authorisation of the Directors to determine their remuneration.

4. Proposed Shareholders’ Mandate for Recurrent Related Party Transactions (“RRPT”) of a Revenue or Trading Nature – Resolution 7
   A mandate was also approved for RRPT, granting Axiata the authority to enter into related party transactions of a recurrent nature in the ordinary course of business.

Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan

Chairman of Axiata

FY2025 marked the completion of our 5*5 Strategy and a year of stronger financial resilience, supported by improved cash flow, a stronger balance sheet and the Board’s commitment to sustainable shareholder returns, including a total dividend of 10.0 sen per share for 2025.

 

We continued to create value beyond business performance by directing RM13.6 million in community investments that impacted 8.6 million lives.

 

As we enter our next phase under Axiata28: Advancing Asia, the Board is focused on disciplined execution and capital allocation, strengthening Axiata as a focused regional operator and smart asset manager to deliver sustainable returns over the long term.

 

We record our sincere appreciation to Vivek Sood for leading Axiata’s strategic transformation over the last three years, and we welcome Nik Rizal Kamil, who will succeed as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. This transition reflects the Board’s confidence in the deep pool of talent within the Group and ensures leadership continuity.

Vivek Sood

Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director

With the completion of the 5*5 Strategy, Axiata moves forward as a focused and resilient asset manager, supported by self-sustaining assets, a stronger balance sheet and improved positioning to create future value, guided by our North Star of delivering returns above the cost of capital.

 

Under Axiata28: Advancing Asia, we are executing with sharper emphasis on capital discipline, portfolio simplification and consistent execution, enabled by a lean Holding Company and an active asset manager approach across our Telecoms and Technology portfolios.

 

We are streamlining the portfolio to maximise performance toward peak value by leveraging digital and AI across the Group, strengthening cash generation in our Telecoms assets while progressively realising value from our Technology businesses to support long-term shareholder returns.

 

On a personal note, I thank our shareholders and the Board for their support over the last three years, and I congratulate Nik Rizal Kamil on his appointment as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective 1 June 2026.