Norway’s telecom major Telenor is reportedly weighing a full exit from Pakistan’s digital banking space, as it considers selling its controlling stake in Easypaisa Bank, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter.
If the plan goes ahead, it would mark Telenor’s complete withdrawal from Pakistan’s financial services sector, following its earlier exit from telecom operations in the country.
Last year, Telenor finalised the sale of Telenor Pakistan to PTCL Group in a deal worth around Rs108 billion, or roughly $385 million. However, its digital banking arm Easypaisa was kept out of that transaction at the time, leaving the company’s fintech footprint intact.
Now, that remaining stake appears to be under review.
According to the report, Telenor is working with Citigroup to explore the sale of its 55 percent holding in Easypaisa Bank. The potential deal could value the digital lender at several hundred million dollars, though final figures would depend on investor interest and market conditions.
The process is still at an early stage. Initial bids are expected to be invited in the coming months, but no final decision has been taken, and discussions remain ongoing.
The remaining ownership in Easypaisa is held by Ant Group, a major global player in digital payments.
Easypaisa has grown into one of Pakistan’s most widely used mobile financial platforms, offering services ranging from money transfers to payments and basic banking solutions. Its latest financial results highlight that momentum. For the quarter ending March 31, 2026, the bank posted a profit after tax of Rs1.49 billion.
Earnings per share stood at Rs2.47, while profit before tax reached Rs3.66 billion, a sharp rise of 4.4 times compared with Rs0.84 billion in the same period last year.
For users in Pakistan, Easypaisa has become a key tool for everyday transactions, especially in areas where traditional banking access remains limited. Any ownership change is unlikely to immediately affect services, but industry watchers say a sale could reshape future investment in product expansion, digital lending, and financial inclusion efforts.
Analysts have suggested that simplifying its Asian portfolio could be a strategic move for Telenor as it continues to reassess its global business focus.
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