Xavier Niel to become Vodafone’s largest shareholder in €5.1 billion investment

Friday 10 July 2026 - 11:15

By: Sahili Aya

Xavier Niel to become Vodafone’s largest shareholder in €5.1 billion investment

French telecom entrepreneur Xavier Niel is set to become the largest shareholder in Vodafone through a €5.1 billion investment, significantly expanding his influence in the European telecommunications sector.

According to a statement released on Friday, the transaction will be carried out through Vega, an investment vehicle established by Niel to acquire a 16.2% stake in the British telecommunications group.

The shares will be purchased from e&, the Emirati telecommunications company, making Vega the largest shareholder in Vodafone upon completion of the deal.

Niel is the founder and principal shareholder of Iliad, the parent company of French telecom operator Free, and has built a reputation as one of Europe's most influential telecommunications investors. The latest investment further strengthens his presence in the continent's telecom market at a time when operators are navigating growing infrastructure costs, network modernization and increasing demand for digital connectivity.

The acquisition represents one of the most significant shareholder changes in Vodafone's recent history and signals continued investor confidence in the group's long-term strategic potential.

While the investment gives Niel a leading ownership position, no immediate changes to Vodafone's management structure or corporate strategy were announced alongside the transaction.

The deal also highlights ongoing consolidation and strategic investment across Europe's telecommunications industry, where major shareholders continue to seek opportunities to shape the future development of leading network operators.