Telenor is exploring the sale of its majority stake in Easypaisa Bank, according to a report by Bloomberg. The move could lead to the company’s complete departure from Pakistan after more than 20 years of operations in the country.
The Norwegian telecom and technology company is reportedly working with Citigroup to evaluate a possible sale. Telenor currently owns 55 percent of Easypaisa Bank, one of Pakistan’s leading digital financial institutions.
Sources familiar with the matter said the stake could be worth several hundred million dollars. However, discussions remain in the early stages. No final decision has been announced, and the process may not necessarily result in a transaction.
Telenor is expected to invite initial offers from interested buyers in the coming months. The company is reviewing different strategic options as part of its broader business plans.
Easypaisa, previously known as Telenor Microfinance Bank, has become one of Pakistan’s most widely used digital banking platforms. The service offers money transfers, mobile wallets, bill payments, and other financial services to millions of users across the country.
The remaining stake in Easypaisa Bank is owned by China’s Ant Group, a major technology and financial services company. The platform has grown significantly in recent years as digital payments gained popularity in Pakistan.
The potential sale comes shortly after Telenor completed its exit from Pakistan’s telecommunications market. The company recently received final regulatory approval for the sale of its local telecom business in a deal valued at around $490 million.
If Telenor proceeds with the sale of its Easypaisa holding, it would mark the end of the company’s presence in Pakistan. The firm has been active in the country for more than two decades and played a major role in expanding telecom and digital financial services.
Market observers believe investors may view the possible transaction positively. The move aligns with Telenor’s strategy to simplify its operations and focus on key markets across Asia.
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While the outcome remains uncertain, the review of Easypaisa Bank highlights Telenor’s ongoing efforts to streamline its regional portfolio and reshape its long-term business strategy.
