Why e& Digital Procurement Transformation is Award-Winning

e& Group is a global technology and investment group that uses innovation and collaboration to shape a better digital future for people, businesses and governments across its markets.

With a legacy dating back to 1976, the group has continually pushed the boundaries of connectivity and digital services to empower societies and enable smarter, more sustainable living.

Headquartered in the UAE, e& today serves over 163 million customers in 16 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa, primarily through its telecom brands under e& UAE and e& international.

Its robust regional footprint and advanced infrastructure position the group as a leading enabler of next-generation technologies, from 5G and cloud to AI-driven digital solutions.

AI-powered procurement excellence

It is dedicated to progressing the procurement function with improvements in digitalisation, sustainability and strategic value creation. e& have recently introduced SAIF, its agentic AI solution that supports the full sourcing cycle. SAIF offers a clearer, more data-driven way to manage procurement activity.

At the 4th Annual 100 CPO Summit and Awards 2025, e& Group Chief Procurement Officer Saeed AlZarooni was recognised as Chief Procurement Officer of the Year.

Adnan Al Marzooqi, Vice President/Procurement Strategy & Excellence at e& was awarded the Procurement Innovator of the Year.

Writing on LinkedIn, Adnan said: “This achievement marks a significant milestone in e& Group Procurement’s digital transformation journey toward 2030 vision, fully aligned with e&’s 4D strategy. It stands as a testament to the dedication, hard work and collaboration of our incredible team.” 

e& is undergoing this transformation journey that has redefined procurement across the group through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, data-driven strategies and agile operating models. Central to this success is its Procurement Centre of Excellence, which plays a critical role in aligning procurement strategy with the broader vision of e&.

Pillars driving growth

e&'s 2030 strategy aims to shift the company from maintaining topline stability towards achieving sustainable growth. The strategy focuses on diversifying e&'s business by moving beyond its traditional UAE telecom core to build a more balanced geographic footprint with increased revenue from international markets and non-telecom sectors.

e&'s 2030 strategy sets ambitious goals to shift from stable topline performance to sustained growth over the next eight years, guided by four strategic pillars.

Double down on core

e& will intensify investments in its telecommunications business to drive growth and scale, strengthening the core UAE operations while expanding its international footprint

Diversify portfolio

The strategy targets a more balanced geographic profile, boosting revenue contributions from non-telecom verticals through targeted investments

Digitalise and transform operations

In a competitive landscape, e& prioritises digitalisation and operational transformation to enhance productivity, customer experience and efficiency, while leveraging data and capabilities to unlock ecosystem opportunities

Drive sustainability

​​​​​​​ESG remains central, with commitments to best-in-class performance, elevating e& brand awareness and value, and cultivating an engaged, diverse and inclusive workplace.

Accelerating its digital transformation

e& efforts to become a digital-first operator took another step forward when it announced a migration to the Google Apigee API Management Platform, marking a significant milestone in its journey as a digital-first organisation.

This makes e& UAE the first telecommunications provider in the UAE to adopt Google Apigee Hybrid technology, fundamentally reshaping how the company innovates and monetises its vast digital assets and services.

"Speed and agility are non-negotiable as we continue to scale our digital services across the UAE," says Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE.

"The successful adoption of Apigee Hybrid is a powerful step in our journey of building the future of connectivity. It provides the secure foundation and flexibility we need to accelerate our digital transformation and deliver a new generation of secure, real-time experiences to our customers in the region's evolving API economy."