e& sets new benchmark in sourcing, winning ‘Best Procurement Transformation' at SAP NOW AI Tour - Middle East Business News and Information
Saeed Al Zarooni, Group Chief Procurement Officer, e&, said: 'This award is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in procurement. Through deeper supplier collaboration, sustainable sourcing practices, and a relentless focus on efficiency, we've not only optimised costs but also positioned procurement as a strategic enabler of innovation and growth across the Group.'
Through the use of AI, data analytics, and agile processes, e&'s procurement transformation has enhanced transparency, improved decision-making, and accelerated operational efficiency, while ensuring full alignment with the Group's sustainability goals and the broader ESG framework.
This award celebrates e&'s ongoing transformation journey that has redefined procurement across the Group through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, data-driven strategies and agile operating models. Central to this success is its Procurement Centre of Excellence, which plays a critical role in aligning procurement strategy with the broader vision of e&.
Basel Alshawa, Head of Finance & Spend Management, SAP Middle East & Africa – South, said: 'We congratulate e& on winning the 'Best Procurement Transformation' award—a reflection of their pioneering spirit and bold commitment to reimagining procurement. By harnessing the full potential of SAP Ariba and embedding AI and advanced analytics into their sourcing strategy, e& has elevated procurement from a back-office function to a true engine of innovation, agility, and sustainable value. Their approach sets a new benchmark for telcos and beyond, demonstrating how intelligent technologies can drive transparency, smarter decision-making, and meaningful ESG outcomes across the enterprise.'
This recognition reflects the dedication, vision, and collaborative spirit of the e& procurement team and its ecosystem of internal and external stakeholders. Through its bold approach to innovation and strategic transformation, e& is setting a new benchmark for procurement excellence in the technology sector.
The success of e&'s procurement transformation reflects the Group's broader commitment to its 'Go for More' philosophy—pushing beyond conventional boundaries to deliver greater value, drive sustainable impact, and lead with purpose. By reimagining procurement as a strategic enabler, e& continues to set new standards for innovation and operational excellence, supporting its ambition to create a smarter, more resilient, and future-ready organisation.
About e&:
e& is a global technology group committed to advancing the digital future across markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. With the group's financial performance in 2024 showing a consolidated revenue of AED 59.2 billion and a net profit of AED 10.8 billion, e& continues to maintain its position as a financial powerhouse, reflected by its strong credit rating and solid balance sheet.
Founded in Abu Dhabi over 48 years ago, e& has evolved from a telecom pioneer into a technology group. Its footprint now spans 38 countries, offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative digital services ranging from advanced connectivity, entertainment, streaming and financial services to AI-powered solutions, cloud computing, ICT, cybersecurity and IoT platforms.
The Group is structured around five core business pillars: e& UAE, e& international, e& life, e& enterprise and e& capital, each catering to distinct customer and market needs. These pillars empower e& to lead in various sectors, from telecom and digital lifestyle to enterprise services and venture investments. The ongoing strategic investments in AI, IoT, 5G and cloud services reinforce its leadership in the global technology landscape, driving the future of smart connectivity and innovation.
Driven by innovation, sustainability and a commitment to digital empowerment, e& is set on creating a smarter, more connected future for individuals, businesses and communities.
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The acquisition supports the Group's ambition to scale in key European markets. SBB brings more than 700,000 subscribers across fixed internet and pay-TV services, enhancing e&'s position as a major player in the region. Across the Yettel network, 2025 has seen continued momentum in delivering customer-centric innovation. In Bulgaria, the Yettel mobile app was recognised as the top-rated telecom app in the country, with over 1.5 million downloads and a 4.5-star rating, demonstrating strong customer appreciation for its seamless, fully digital experience. In Hungary, Yettel received Ookla's 'Golden Award' for the fastest mobile network, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation with faster downloads, reliable connectivity, and smooth video calls for both individuals and businesses. Meanwhile in Serbia, Yettel launched 'Yettel Everything,' a groundbreaking programme developed with Yettel Bank that integrates banking and telecom services into one unified experience. The offering includes monthly cashback, online shopping discounts, a universal card, and the 'Everything for the Road' travel package—featuring roaming data, travel insurance, and Air Serbia VIP benefits—setting a new benchmark for bundled digital services in the region. O2 Slovakia took part in the largest spectrum auction in the country's history, securing 13 blocks across five bands—including newly available spectrum in the 1500 MHz band—with licenses allocated through to 2048. In Saudi Arabia, e&-backed Mobily was recognised by Brand Finance as the Fastest Growing Telecom Brand in the Middle East, with a brand value increase of over 140 per cent in five years (and 26 per cent year-on-year), reaching US$ 2.7 billion. Mobily also won the 'Gold Award' for Excellence in Customer Experience, reinforcing its position as a digital lifestyle enabler through services like Mobily Pay, Mobily Gamer, and Mobily TV. In Morocco, Maroc Telecom (MT) and Inwi (Wana Corporate) signed an expanded partnership to accelerate fibre and 5G rollout. This includes the creation of two joint ventures: UniFiber, aiming to connect 1 million sockets in two years and 3 million over five and UniTower, targeting 2,000 new towers in three years and 6,000 in ten. Phase 1 of the project is valued at MAD 4.4 billion over three years. In Egypt, e& launched the country's first fully digital international remittance service via its mobile wallet, e& cash. Developed with Banque du Caire, the service enables customers in Egypt to instantly receive money from the UAE and Saudi Arabia with no intermediaries or branch visits required. It marks a major step forward in supporting digital financial inclusion. e& Egypt officially launched nationwide 5G services, with e& Egypt activating its 5G network on the same day—a milestone that paves the way for transformative growth across sectors such as education and healthcare, offering faster speeds, broader access, and new digital possibilities. Further expanding its service portfolio, e& Egypt also introduced Wi-Fi calling in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, enabling customers to make high-quality voice calls over Wi-Fi networks at standard call rates. PTCL Group continues to strengthen its leadership in Pakistan's digital ecosystem, with PTCL Flash Fiber maintaining its position as the country's #1 FTTH provider, reaching 730,000 subscribers as of May 2025. The successful landing of the 10,000 km Africa-1 Submarine Cable marks a major milestone in Pakistan's digital transformation, enhancing connectivity to global digital hubs and positioning PTCL as the operator of five submarine cables, cementing its role as the nation's connectivity backbone. PTCL Group also earned widespread recognition at the Pakistan Digital Awards 2025, winning six accolades including 'Best Digital Campaign of the Year' for Arshad Nadeem – Seenataan and 'Best Digital Campaign (Small Budget)' for the Zalmi Women's League. Further reinforcing its brand leadership, PTCL secured a triple victory at the Effie Awards Pakistan, winning 'Best in Telco', 'Best in Social Media', and 'Best in Corporate Reputation'. Mobily announced investments exceeding SAR 3.4 billion in digital infrastructure projects, including data centres and submarine cables, underscoring its strategic role in advancing the Kingdom's digital transformation. These investments also support national sustainability goals by building a more reliable, efficient, and future-ready infrastructure. Mobily was also recognised by Brand Finance as the 'Fastest Growing Telecom Brand in the Middle East' over the past five years, a testament to its consistent focus on service excellence and delivering high-quality experiences that meet evolving customer expectations. Further expanding its customer-centric initiatives, Mobily signed an agreement with flynas to allow the conversion of loyalty points from its 'Neqaty' programme to flynas's 'nasmiles' programme, enabling users to enjoy a wider range of travel benefits. In addition, Mobily signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to enhance the digital experience for pilgrims and visitors. This collaboration aims to improve digital services, support the ministry's technical objectives, and contribute to its broader digital transformation agenda. e& capital: e& capital continues to reaffirm its commitment to investing in companies that redefine industries and shape the future, both regionally and globally. In line with e&'s overarching strategy, its portfolio spans key verticals of the Group, including telecom and digital.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Wins Global Good Governance Awards - Middle East Business News and Information
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi EAD has been awarded two prestigious accolades at the 2025 Global Good Governance 3G Awards, making it the first government entity in Abu Dhabi to receive this international recognition. The Agency received the 3G Leadership Award in Sustainability Governance and the 3G ESG Championship Award – with both accolades affirming its commitment to world-class environmental excellence and integrity, transparency and responsible governance. The awards were presented during the 10th annual 3G Awards Ceremony, held in Brunei as part of the 3G Summit, which brought together over 200 participants from around the world. Eng. Salem Al Breiki, Chairman of the Governance Committee and Division Director of Waste Management, accepted the honours on behalf of EAD and also participated in a high-level panel discussion titled 'Transforming Governance to Tackle Global Health and Environmental Priorities.' He was joined by Ms. Ayesha Al Ketbi, Director of the Strategic Planning Office, who also represented the Agency during the ceremony. The 3G Leadership Award in Sustainability Governance recognises outstanding organisations that has demonstrated leadership in corporate governance, upheld ethical standards, and championed integrity, fairness, and accountability. It also honours a commitment to environmental and social responsibility through sustainable practices, governance codes, and transparency in reporting. The Agency's longstanding commitment to these pillars was key to its recognition. Furthermore, the 3G ESG Championship Award celebrates organisations that exemplify leadership in integrating Environmental, Social and Governance ESG principles into their strategies, operations, and decision-making. The Agency was acknowledged for its exemplary ESG framework, which is supported by nine formal committees – most notably, the Governance Committee, which was established in 2017 and reformed in 2022. The Agency's ESG journey includes a mature governance system, a 79.3 per cent governance maturity score, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies, multiple ISO certifications and is currently progressing to obtain ISO 37000 for organisational governance. Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: 'We are deeply honoured to receive these international recognitions, which affirm our ongoing mission to lead by example in sustainable governance and ESG excellence. These awards reflect the dedication of our teams, the strength of our systems and our belief that good governance is the foundation of lasting environmental impact. As we move forward, we remain committed to innovation, integrity, and partnerships that serve both people and the planet.' The 3G Awards are organised by Cambridge IFA (International Finance Advisory), a UK-based organisation that promotes ethical, sustainable finance and governance worldwide. The awards align closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and are known for enhancing the visibility, credibility and global partnerships of recipients. About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi EAD Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi EAD is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.
