ADNOC Distribution today reported robust results for 2023, recording a 4.6% year-on-year growth in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $1.002 billion (AED3.68 billion). With this, the Company has successfully delivered on the five-year target it communicated to the market during its first Capital Markets Day in May 2019.
In addition, the underlying EBITDA for 2023, excluding the impact of inventory movements, increased by 15.4% year-on-year. This growth was fueled by a double-digit increase in fuel volumes and non-fuel business, along with a rising contribution from international operations.
The EBITDA also benefited from the Company’s efficiency improvement initiatives, leading to like-for-like operating expenditure (OPEX) savings of $28 million (AED103 million).
ADNOC Distribution capitalised on new opportunities in both domestic and international markets by strategically allocating capital for growth. In 2023, the Company generated a strong free cash flow of $1.1 billion (AED4.0 billion) while maintaining a robust balance sheet with a net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.62x as of 31st December 2023. This solid financial standing positions the Company favourably for future growth and shareholder value creation.
Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO of ADNOC Distribution, said, “Fueled by our record EBITDA of over $1 billion, 2023 was a remarkable and transformative year for ADNOC Distribution. Our team delivered on a critical commitment made to capital markets, underpinned by our focus on execution excellence, future-proofing the business, unwavering dedication to health safety and the environment, and our capability building and cultural transformation. This achievement is underscored by our focus on execution excellence and future-proofing the business.
He added that ADNOC Distribution’s Board of Directors has approved a new five-year strategy for 2024-28, targeting the next growth phase with a focus on sustainable mobility and convenience. It includes optimising existing assets to improve profitability, doubling down on non-fuel retail, and generating new revenue streams offered by energy transition to future-proof the business and increase customer satisfaction.
“I look forward to sharing more details about our five-year strategy during the upcoming Capital Markets Day,” the CEO noted.
The Company’s total fuel volumes recorded an 11.8% year-on-year growth in 2023 in the GCC markets, with retail volumes growing by 9.6% and commercial volumes up by 16.2% year-on-year. This growth was underpinned by the Company’s ongoing network expansion, sustained momentum in the region’s economic growth, and higher mobility.
ADNOC Oasis convenience store sales continued to gain momentum in 2023, with non-fuel retail transactions increasing by 12.9% year-on-year. The Company’s dedication to innovation and the diversification of its customer experience proposition continued to expand in line with its strategic objectives.
ADNOC Distribution recently became the region’s first fuel distributor to introduce innovative AI-enabled ‘Fill & Go’ technology at its service stations, allowing computers to recognise vehicles and respond by offering a hyper-personalised fueling experience.
Moreover, the Company introduced payment device standardisation, resulting in significant cost optimisation. This initiative also enhances customer experience by enabling customers to split transactions across multiple payment options and earn or redeem loyalty rewards.
Additionally, the continuous enhancement of the ADNOC Distribution mobile app offers new benefits and enhanced user experience. All these efforts have contributed to the Company achieving a four-year-high convenience store conversion rate of 24.7%. That is the percentage of customers who purchase at ADNOC convenience stores while fueling their vehicles.
ADNOC Rewards, the UAE’s first and largest fuel retail loyalty programme, has also been a key pillar in elevating customer value proposition and flagship customer-centric initiatives via enhancements to our customer value proposition including the launch of tiers: BLUE, SILVER, GOLD, and PLATINUM. As a result, the ADNOC Rewards loyalty programme saw a remarkable 22% year-on-year increase in membership, rising to over 1.9 million.
ADNOC Distribution surpassed its target of opening 25-35 new stations in 2023 by launching 41 new service stations, bringing its total network to 840 service stations, of which 597 are located in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
During 2023, the first nine ADNOC-branded service stations were launched in strategic locations across Greater Cairo, Egypt, offering a full range of vehicle services to local communities.
Beyond its successful acquisition of a 50% stake in TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt LLC, which was completed in February 2023, the Company is actively evaluating non-organic growth opportunities in international markets with a focus on efficient capital allocation.
The Company has launched the first phase of fast and super-fast EV chargers. With over 50 EV charging points at strategic locations across its network, this move underscores the Company’s ambition to become a destination of choice for charging and convenience among UAE customers.
In 2023, ADNOC Distribution began operating the region’s first high-speed green hydrogen pilot refuelling station. Opened by ADNOC, the station has been established to test a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles. The station creates green hydrogen through water electrolysis, using an electrolyser powered by clean grid electricity. The pilot aims to collect data to assess the long-term feasibility of hydrogen vehicles in the UAE.
In January 2023, ADNOC Distribution announced its commitment to reducing its carbon intensity by 25% by 2030, putting sustainability at the core of its day-to-day operations. The Company has made significant strides towards this goal, such as transitioning 100% of its UAE heavy fleet to run on biofuel.
Additionally, the installation of solar panels has begun across the Company’s service network in Dubai, marking the first phase of a UAE-wide solar rollout.
In line with its dividend policy, the Company’s Board of Directors has recommended distributing a dividend of $350 million (AED1.285 billion), equivalent to 10.285 fils per share, for the second half of 2023, which will be presented to the Company’s shareholders for approval at the Annual General Assembly Meeting scheduled March 2024.
Subject to shareholders’ approval, the total dividend for the fiscal year 2023 is expected to be $700 million (AED2.57 billion), equivalent to 20.57 fils per share, providing an annualised yield of 5.8% (at a share price of AED3.57 as of 6th February 2024).
