Telenor is reportedly considering selling its controlling stake in Pakistan’s digital banking platform Easypaisa. The information comes from a Bloomberg report, which cited people familiar with the matter. The possible move is part of Telenor’s broader plan to review its investments in Asia. If completed, it could lead to a full exit from Pakistan, linked with Binance Pakistan blockchain partnership.
Telenor Considers Sale of Its Easypaisa Stake in Pakistan: Report
Telenor has already reduced its presence in Pakistan’s telecom sector. Last year, the company completed the sale of its mobile business to PTCL Group in a deal worth around $385 million (Rs108 billion). However, Easypaisa was not included in that transaction. It remained under Telenor’s ownership as a separate financial services business.
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Easypaisa, formerly known as Telenor Microfinance Bank, is one of Pakistan’s leading digital financial platforms. Some of the services include money transfer, bill payment, and mobile wallet transaction services. Currently, the company has 55 percent equity holdings by Telenor. The other equity holding is by Ant Group, which is a global fintech company. This collaboration has facilitated the development of Easypaisa to be among the most popular digital payment solutions in Pakistan. The broader digital ecosystem, including initiatives like 5G launch in Pakistan 2026, is expected to further support the growth of such fintech platforms.
The financial performance of the firm has been impressive in the latest results. In the financial quarter that ended on March 31, 2026, Easypaisa posted a profit after tax of Rs1.49 billion. Its profit before tax reached Rs3.66 billion, which is about 4.4 times higher than the same quarter last year when it was Rs0.84 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) were reported at Rs2.47, reflecting improved business performance and higher usage of digital financial services.
Advisory and Sale Process
As per the Bloomberg report, Telenor will be collaborating with Citigroup to act as its financial advisor while the company plans to take steps towards selling off part of its assets through the invitation of initial bids from prospective buyers. The estimated value of the asset to be sold is in the region of hundreds of millions of dollars. But the process is still in its nascent stages, linked with PTA approval Telenor Ufone merger.
The potential sale is being viewed as part of Telenor’s strategy to simplify its business portfolio in Asia. Analysts believe the company is focusing more on core markets and reducing exposure in regions where it is restructuring. An analyst from DNB Carnegie, Christoffer Wang Bjørnsen, said the move could be well received by financial markets as it shows a cleaner and more focused regional strategy.
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The possible exit also fits into a wider trend where several global companies have reduced or ended operations in Pakistan in recent years. Companies have been restructuring due to changing market conditions and strategic global shifts. If Telenor completes this sale, it would fully exit Pakistan after nearly two decades of operations in the country. As of now, the whole matter still requires deliberation. There is no concrete statement from Telenor, Citigroup, and Ant Group regarding the entire issue. More details will be released once bidding invitations and talks commence. News source eTimes Pakistan
