KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 8): Seen as a telecoms stock, Axiata Group Bhd (KL:AXIATA)’s share price performance is tied to its ability to pay good dividends.

In his first exclusive interview as Axiata’s new group chief executive officer, Nik Rizal Kamil Nik Ibrahim Kamil, however, asks investors to see the group as a smart asset manager that can sustainably realise value from its regional telecoms, towers and digital assets.

Recognising investors’ desire for yield, Nik Rizal reiterates Axiata’s commitment under the group’s Axiata28 strategy to deliver at least 10% year-on-year dividend growth through 2028.

With Axiata’s share price hovering around RM1.90 apiece at the time of writing, that promise points to a dividend yield of over 5%, even if Axiata maintains its dividend per share at 10 sen this year, the same as 2023, 2024 and 2025. The yield provides downside support for Axiata shares, which has taken a beating following the stock’s exclusion from the MSCI Malaysia Index from end-May this year.

Will that alone provide an upside catalyst for the stock? How does Axiata plan to deliver better returns for stakeholders in the near to medium term?

To read more about what Axiata’s new CEO has to say about the potential monetisation of its telecoms tower company EDOTCO Group and a possible digital technology initial public offering that could come in the future, pick up a copy of the Aug 10, 2026 issue of The Edge Malaysia weekly available at newsstands from Saturday, Aug 8.

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