Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) is exploring expansion opportunities outside the UAE, especially in sectors adjacent to its core telecommunications business. Following a 49% increase in its 2024 net profit to Dh2.49 billion ($678 million), CEO Fahad Al Hassawi revealed that du is open to opportunities in areas like data centers, financial technology, and other ICT segments.
Although the company has ruled out expanding its core telecom business beyond the UAE, it sees potential in complementary industries, especially with partnerships signed with global telecom giants like France’s Orange and Spain’s Telefonica. These collaborations provide du with valuable knowledge and resources to leverage in the future.
In addition to its telecom services, du has introduced two sub-brands — du Tech and du Infra — to address the growing demand for digital transformation services within the UAE. These sub-brands have contributed to the company’s success, helping du achieve its record net profit and boosting its revenue by 7.3% to Dh14.64 billion in 2024.
du is also expanding its offerings in emerging technologies, with plans to introduce sovereign cloud and AI services to government agencies by mid-2025, directly competing with industry leaders like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google in the UAE market.
The company’s commitment to innovation and its focus on emerging technologies like AI, the cloud, and big data are expected to drive its continued growth and transformation in the years ahead.
