Robi profit skyrockets 85% to Tk232cr in Q1 on data surge, cost discipline

Infographic: TBS

Robi Axiata PLC has reported a stellar start to 2026, with its net profit after tax skyrocketing by 85% year-on-year to reach Tk232.3 crore in the first quarter ended 31 March.

The country's second-largest mobile operator attributed this significant bottom-line growth to a combination of AI-driven personalised service offerings, a robust surge in data consumption, and a highly disciplined approach to cost management, according to a press release.

According to the company's financial disclosure, Robi's revenue for the January-March period rose by 8% year-on-year to Tk2,531.2 crore. This top-line growth, coupled with operational efficiencies, pushed the earnings per share (EPS) to Tk0.44, up from the Tk0.24 recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.

The company's net asset value (NAV) per share stood at Tk13.78, while the net operating cash flow per share was recorded at Tk0.97 for the quarter.

A major driver of this performance was the continued expansion of Robi's digital footprint. By the end of March, the operator's active subscriber base reached 5.74 crore, with data users accounting for 4.45 crore of that total.

Crucially, the 4G subscriber base climbed to 4.03 crore, reflecting the success of the company's sustained investment in high-speed network infrastructure. On average, each data user consumed 8.95 GB of data per month during the quarter, marking a 15% increase compared to the same period last year.

The company's focus on efficiency was reflected in its EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization), which reached Tk1,350.3 crore with a healthy margin of 53.3%. This represents a 21.6% year-on-year growth in EBITDA, suggesting that the company's cost-optimisation strategies are yielding high returns.

Robi's Managing Director and CEO Ziad Shatara said the growth was achieved under adverse socio-economic conditions, further intensified by geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

He added that the company's shift toward AI-driven personalised products and services, supported by consistent network improvements, has been pivotal in navigating these challenges.

Shatara expressed optimism that the company would sustain this momentum as the national economic climate continues to brighten.

Robi also remained a significant contributor to the national exchequer, paying Tk2,073.6 crore in various taxes and fees during the first three months of 2026 alone. This amount represented a staggering 82% of the company's total revenue for the quarter.

Robi shares closed at Tk29.60 on Thursday at the Dhaka Stock Exchange.

Currently, the Malaysian telecom giant Axiata Group Berhad holds a 61.82% majority stake in the company, while Bharti Airtel holds 28.18% and the general public owns the remaining 10%.