e& CEO Hatem Dowidar to step down as group posts strong 2025 results

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Operators; 25 February 2026; 7113 views

UAE-based operator group e& has announced that Group CEO Hatem Dowidar will step down after six years in the role, marking the end of a period of significant transformation and international expansion for the company.

Dowidar will officially depart on March 31. In a statement, the operator credited him with steering the group through a major phase of strategic evolution, broadening its footprint across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, and diversifying beyond core telecom services into digital, fintech, enterprise and consumer verticals.

He will be succeeded by Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, currently CEO of e& UAE, a position he has held since 2021. Mahmood will assume group chief executive responsibilities from April 1 while continuing in his existing role.

Commenting on his departure, Dowidar said: “It has been an honour to lead e& during a defining chapter in its history. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, transforming our business, expanding internationally, and building new growth engines for the future.”

Chairman Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi said Dowidar played a central role in advancing the company’s transformation agenda and strengthening long-term shareholder value.

The leadership transition comes as e& reported robust full-year 2025 financial results. Consolidated net profit rose 33.6% year-on-year to AED14.4 billion (US$3.8 billion), while revenue increased 23.1% to AED72.9 billion (US$19.9 billion). EBITDA climbed 21.1% to AED32 billion (US$8.7 billion), and the group’s global subscriber base expanded 31.3% to 245 million.