The Mena region is a priority for expansion, Adnoc Distribution chief executive Bader Al Lamki. Victor Besa / The National
The Mena region is a priority for expansion, Adnoc Distribution chief executive Bader Al Lamki. Victor Besa / The National
The Mena region is a priority for expansion, Adnoc Distribution chief executive Bader Al Lamki. Victor Besa / The National
The Mena region is a priority for expansion, Adnoc Distribution chief executive Bader Al Lamki. Victor Besa / The National

Adipec 2023: Adnoc Distribution keen on 'right investment opportunity', CEO says


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

Adnoc Distribution, the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer, is looking for the "right investment opportunity" to expand its business, the company's chief executive has said.

Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the company owns and operates more than 570 service stations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

It is also active in the lubricants business with a presence in 32 countries.

Chief executive Bader Al Lamki told The National Adnoc Distribution is "constantly scouting" for suitable investments.

“We are very careful, we are very selective,” he said on the sidelines of Adipec in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday

"We would like to have the right opportunity where we can add value, but also maximise the return on investment to our shareholders."

He did not reveal new markets planned for expansion, but said the Mena region is a priority.

"Other regions are also candidates for investment as long as the investment opportunity meets our criteria," he said.

“What is important is that any market that we look at, it has to have the right regulatory framework, it has to have the demand as we look at supplying services.

“Geographies and countries that have good population growth, GDP [gross domestic product] growth, infrastructure, and that's what we saw when we went to Saudi Arabia with Vision 2030. That's what you are seeing in Egypt with the new cities that are being built and the infrastructure that is going on there.”

Earlier this year, Adnoc Distribution bought a 50 per cent stake in TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt, adding 240 additional service stations to its network portfolio.

Last month, the company opened three service stations in Greater Cairo, marking the first time the company opened Adnoc-branded service stations in Egypt.

It also plans to launch another six stations in Egypt by the end of this year.

Bader Al Lamki, chief executive of Adnoc Distribution. Victor Besa / The National
Bader Al Lamki, chief executive of Adnoc Distribution. Victor Besa / The National

The company launched its operations in Saudi Arabia in 2018 and it owns 64 service stations in the Arab world's largest economy.

"We have the comfort of our ability to fund our growth, whether through equity or debt. So funding is not the issue today. The issue is to find the right investment opportunity that will maximise value for shareholders."

Adnoc Distribution reported a 2 per cent annual increase in net profit for the first half of the year, excluding inventory movements, to Dh1.03 billion, on higher fuel volumes and efficiency initiatives.

Revenue between January and June rose 4.9 per cent on an annual basis to Dh16.13 billion.

It is also boosting decarbonisation efforts in line with its parent Adnoc’s strategy, which aims to become net zero by 2045.

Adnoc Distribution on Wednesday announced it will use biofuel, produced from waste cooking oil, to power its heavy vehicle fleet in the country as part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Its heavy vehicle fleet, supplying fuels and liquefied petroleum gas to corporate customers, will be powered by B20 biofuel, it said.

“As a responsible company [that has] been in this business for 50 years, sustainability has been always central to everything that we do," Mr Al Lamki said.

“We made a public announcement at the beginning of this year and launched our sustainability roadmap, whereby we are targeting to reduce our carbon footprint by 25 per cent by 2030.”

Among other plans, the company plans to supply clean sources of energy to its service stations.

In May, it announced a key partnership with Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and EDF, to develop on-site solar power across its service station network, starting in Dubai, to generate clean energy.

It also agreed with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, better known as Taqa, to work together to establish a mobility joint venture, E2GO, to build and operate electric vehicle infrastructure in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

“We were also the first fuel retailer in this region to secure a sustainability-linked loan beginning of this year, whereby we secured $1.5 billion of funding to support our business activities and grow, linked with sustainability goals from the financing community and that's also another testament of our seriousness to really develop and deliver actions that will help us reduce of carbon footprint," Mr Al Lamki said.

Abu Dhabi card

5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,400m

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 2,200m

6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m

The National selections:

5pm: Valcartier

5.30pm: AF Taraha

6pm: Dhafra

6.30pm: Maqam

7pm: AF Mekhbat

7.30pm: Ezz Al Rawasi  

RESULTS
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Dubai World Cup factbox

Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)

Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

The specs

Price: From Dh529,000

Engine: 5-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Power: 520hp

Torque: 625Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km

Get Out

Director: Jordan Peele

Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Four stars

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

SPECS
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Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

While you're here
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Price: From Dh117,059

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?

The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Power: 190bhp

Torque: 300Nm

Price: Dh169,900

On sale: now 

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Updated: October 04, 2023, 5:33 PM`