Telenor Considers Selling Easypaisa Stake, Signaling Full Exit
Telenor, the Norwegian telecommunications company, is reportedly considering the sale of its controlling stake in Easypaisa Bank, Pakistan’s leading digital financial services platform. This move, if executed, would represent Telenor’s complete exit from the Pakistani market.
Following its sale of Telenor Pakistan to the state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) group last year for approximately $385 million (Rs108 billion), Telenor retained its share in Easypaisa. However, according to sources cited by Bloomberg, Telenor is now in discussions with Citigroup to sell its 55% stake in Easypaisa. The deal could value the digital bank at several hundred million dollars.
Easypaisa has recently demonstrated strong financial performance. For the quarter ending March 31, 2026, it reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs1.49 billion with earnings per share (EPS) of Rs2.47. The profit before tax (PBT) increased significantly to Rs3.66 billion, representing a 4.4-fold rise compared to the same period last year.
The remaining shares of Easypaisa are held by Ant Group Co., the Chinese fintech giant. Analysts suggest that Telenor’s potential divestment would simplify its Asian portfolio, a strategy welcomed by investors tracking the firm’s regional operations.
At present, the company is expected to invite initial offers from prospective buyers within the coming months. However, discussions remain ongoing and no final decisions have been made.
Should the sale materialize, it will mark the end of Telenor’s presence in Pakistan’s telecommunications and digital financial services markets, concluding its nearly two-decade-long operations in the country.