VEON Ltd. projects revenue growth between 15% and 18% for 2026 and plans to cancel more than $100 million of its shares annually [1].
This financial shift signals the company's transition toward a more digital-centric business model. By returning capital to shareholders and raising guidance, the company aims to stabilize its balance sheet while funding new growth initiatives [2, 3].
The projections follow a strong second quarter in 2026. VEON said its digital revenue grew 53.6% year-over-year [3]. Other reports placed this digital revenue surge at approximately 54% [2]. This growth has allowed the company to lift its overall revenue and EBITDA outlook for the remainder of the year [2, 3].
As part of its capital management strategy, the group will execute the share cancellations to reduce the total number of outstanding shares [1]. This move is intended to increase the value for remaining shareholders while the company continues to expand its digital footprint across its global operations [2].
The company released these figures during its second-quarter earnings call. The updated guidance reflects a broader strategy to pivot away from traditional telecommunications dependencies and lean into high-growth digital services [2, 3].
“VEON projects revenue growth between 15% and 18% for 2026”
VEON's aggressive share buyback and raised guidance indicate a high level of confidence in its digital transformation. By pivoting from a traditional telecom provider to a digital services entity, the company is attempting to decouple its growth from the stagnation often seen in legacy mobile markets, using its strengthened balance sheet to reward investors during the transition.
