VEON and Engro Corp Announce Strategic Partnership for Telecommunications Infrastructure

VEON announced that it is entering into a strategic partnership with Engro Corp with respect to the pooling and management of its infrastructure assets, starting in Pakistan.

In the first phase of the partnership, VEON’s infrastructure assets housed under Deodar (Private) Limited (“Deodar”), a VEON Group company wholly owned by VEON through its subsidiary PMCL, will vest into Engro Corp’s subsidiary, Engro Connect, via a scheme of arrangement. VEON’s digital operator Jazz will continue to lease Deodar’s extensive infrastructure for the provision of nationwide mobile voice and data services under a long-term partnership agreement.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in VEON's asset-light strategy, aimed at increasing the Company’s focus on the development of services-focused businesses in line with VEON’s digital operator model. The arrangement is subject to the customary legal and regulatory approvals in Pakistan. As part of the arrangement, Engro will pay Jazz an amount of approximately USD 188 million and will guarantee the repayment of Deodar’s intercompany debt in the amount of USD 375 million.

"This strategic partnership is a pivotal move in advancing VEON's asset-light strategy. The traditional vertically integrated telco model is no longer viable for operators, neither is it conducive to the sustainable growth of developing economies. Our collaboration with Engro Corp, starting in Pakistan, our largest market, will empower Jazz to focus on innovative digital services and cutting-edge technologies that serve Pakistan’s digital ambition. It will also help VEON showcase the wide range of opportunities for shareholder value creation and new business models across our markets," said Kaan Terzioglu, VEON Group CEO and Chairman of Jazz Board.

“This deal reflects Engro’s continued passion to address pressing issues through impactful infrastructure – in particular by enabling low-cost, high-quality connectivity, which is a cornerstone of progress. This partnership will benefit the broader telecom ecosystem in Pakistan: By utilizing Engro’s infrastructure, all players in the telecommunications ecosystem can focus on delivering enhanced services and expanding coverage. The wider capability that will emerge out of this partnership will help us empower communities through better and more affordable connectivity, while contributing to the broader digital transformation in Pakistan and beyond” said Abdul Samad Dawood, Director of Engro Corporation.

Source: VEON media announcement