Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) reveals e& stake disposal to Vega and board resignation

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Vodafone Group Plc reports that Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (“e&”) has agreed to dispose of its entire shareholding in Vodafone to Vega, an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by the Niel family group. As a result, the relationship agreement dated 11 May 2023 between Vodafone and e& has been terminated. Hatem Dowidar, who joined the Board as e&’s nominee director, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect.

Vodafone describes itself as a leading European and African telecoms company, serving over 370 million mobile and broadband customers and operating networks in 17 countries, with investments in three more and partners in over 40 additional markets.

Insights

Telecom equity analyst

Large shareholder exits to a new family-controlled vehicle while Vodafone’s operations remain unchanged.

The announcement centers on e& agreeing to dispose of its entire Vodafone shareholding to Vega, owned by the Niel family group. This represents a transfer of a significant investor position but does not alter Vodafone’s disclosed operating footprint or strategy in this communication.

Termination of the 11 May 2023 relationship agreement with e& and the immediate resignation of nominee director Hatem Dowidar remove e&’s formal governance role. Future influence of Vega and the Niel family group is not detailed here, so governance implications depend on how actively the new holder engages with Vodafone’s board and management.

Key Figures

Mobile and broadband customers: over 370 million Countries with operated networks: 17 countries Additional countries with investments: 3 +4 more

7 metrics

Mobile and broadband customers over 370 million Customers served across Vodafone’s European and African telecom operations

Countries with operated networks 17 countries Markets where Vodafone operates networks

Additional countries with investments 3 Countries where Vodafone holds investments beyond its operated networks

Partner markets over 40 Countries where Vodafone works with partners

Subsea cable systems more than 70 Subsea cable systems on which Vodafone has capacity

IoT connections over 240 million Global IoT connections on Vodafone’s platform

Financial services customers around 103 million Customers using Vodafone financial services across seven African countries

Key Terms

inside information, Market Abuse Regulation, relationship agreement, acquisition vehicle, +2 more

6 terms

inside information regulatory

"THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7"

Information not available to the public that, if known, would likely cause a company’s stock or bonds to rise or fall—for example, undisclosed earnings, deals, product results, or management plans. It matters because trading on that information gives an unfair advantage, can distort market prices, and is typically illegal or subject to strict rules, so investors watch for proper disclosure and compliance to protect fair, transparent markets.

Market Abuse Regulation regulatory

"FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014"

Market abuse regulation consists of laws and rules designed to prevent dishonest or manipulative practices in financial markets. It aims to ensure fair and transparent trading, so investors can trust that markets operate honestly, much like rules that keep a game fair. By reducing unfair advantages, it helps protect investor confidence and promotes healthy, efficient markets.

relationship agreement regulatory

"The relationship agreement dated 11 May 2023 between Vodafone and e& has been terminated."

acquisition vehicle financial

"to Vega, an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by the Niel family group."

An acquisition vehicle is a legal entity set up specifically to buy or merge with another business; think of it as a dedicated shopping cart or toolbox used to complete a purchase. It matters to investors because the vehicle’s structure determines who bears the deal’s costs and risks, how the purchase is financed, and the tax and legal consequences, all of which can affect the value and timing of an investment.

IoT platforms technical

"Vodafone runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with over 240 million IoT connections"

direct-to-mobile satellite communications service technical

"we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service"

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Available on EDGAR 07/10/2026 - 09:15 AM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 07/10/2026 - 09:14 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What major ownership change did Vodafone (VOD) disclose in this 6-K?

Vodafone disclosed that Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&) has agreed to dispose of its entire shareholding in Vodafone to Vega, an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by the Niel family group.

What happened to the relationship agreement between Vodafone (VOD) and e&?

Vodafone stated that the relationship agreement dated 11 May 2023 between Vodafone and e& has been terminated following e&’s agreement to dispose of its entire shareholding to Vega.

Which Vodafone (VOD) board member resigned and why is it notable?

Vodafone reported that Hatem Dowidar, appointed as the nominee director of e&, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect, reflecting the end of e&’s formal governance link with Vodafone.

Who is acquiring e&’s Vodafone (VOD) stake and who controls it?

Vodafone notes that e&’s entire Vodafone shareholding will be sold to Vega, described as an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by the Niel family group, shifting ownership to that family-controlled entity.

How large is Vodafone’s (VOD) customer base according to this report?

Vodafone describes itself as serving over 370 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 17 countries, and providing financial services to around 103 million customers across seven African countries.

What connectivity and IoT scale does Vodafone (VOD) highlight?

Vodafone states it has capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems and runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with over 240 million IoT connections globally, supporting its telecom and data services footprint.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Dated July 10, 2026

Commission File Number: 001-10086

VODAFONE GROUP

PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

VODAFONE HOUSE, THE CONNECTION, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG14 2FN, ENGLAND

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ✓    Form 40-F   

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN EACH OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-3 (FILE NO. 333-273441), THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-81825) AND THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8 (FILE NO. 333-149634) OF VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.

This Report on Form 6-K contains a Stock Exchange Announcement dated July 10, 2026 entitled ‘Vodafone Group Plc Response to e&‘s announcement’

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10 July 2026

Vodafone Group Plc

Response to e&‘s announcement

Vodafone Group Plc (“Vodafone”) notes the announcement by Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (“e&”) today that e& has agreed to dispose of its entire shareholding in Vodafone to Vega, an acquisition vehicle wholly owned by the Niel family group.

The relationship agreement dated 11 May 2023 between Vodafone and e& has been terminated. Hatem Dowidar, who was appointed to the Board of Vodafone as the nominee director of e&, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect.

- ends -

For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations:		vodafone.com/investors		ir@vodafone.co.uk		Media Relations:		Vodafone.com/media/contact		GroupMedia@vodafone.com
Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

Person responsible

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Vodafone is Maaike de Bie, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary (Tel: +44 (0)1635 33251).

About Vodafone

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company.

We serve over 370 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 17 countries with investments in a further three and partners in over 40 more. We have capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems - the backbone of the internet - and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world’s largest IoT platforms, with over 240 million IoT connections globally, and we provide financial services to around 103 million customers across seven African countries - managing more transactions than any other provider.

From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone’s mission is to keep everyone connected.

For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

				VODAFONE GROUP
				PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
				(Registrant)
Date:   July 10, 2026				By:		/s/ M D B
				Name:		Maaike de Bie
				Title:		Group General Counsel and Company Secretary