Salik drives in Dh1.53 billion revenue, sees 36% spike for full-year

Dubai’s toll operator, Salik, reported a surge in first-half 2025 earnings, highlighting the growing role of toll roads in the UAE’s daily commute and the city’s economic momentum.

For the six months ending June 30, Salik’s total revenue rose 39.5% year-on-year to Dh1.53 billion, driven by new toll gates and the introduction of a variable pricing system in January. The operator’s EBITDA climbed 44.2% to Dh1.07 billion, reflecting high operational efficiency and strong toll usage.

Dubai residents made 318.4 million chargeable trips in H1 2025, with traffic patterns adjusting smoothly even during Ramadan. Peak period trips increased significantly, reflecting both population growth and tourism inflow, which rose 7% between January and May.

The company’s variable pricing system, implemented to ease congestion, shows early success. Peak-hour trips, priced at Dh6, grew by nearly 47% quarter-on-quarter. Even off-peak travel has remained robust, underscoring Salik’s adaptability to changing traffic patterns.

Net profit rose 41.5% YoY to Dh770.9 million, prompting the Board to approve a cash dividend of Dh770.9 million, equivalent to 10.278 fils per share, representing 100% of H1 profits.

Chairman Mattar Al Tayer said the results reflect a “resilient business model and operational efficiency,” and highlighted the role of sustained growth in tourism, real estate, and infrastructure spending in supporting toll revenues.

Salik is also expanding beyond tolls. In H1 2025, parking payment partnerships with Emaar Malls and Parkonic contributed Dh8.7 million in revenue. Collaborations with LIVA for motor insurance and a MoU with ENOC to introduce smart fuel payments illustrate Salik’s push to create a more seamless mobility experience for UAE residents.

With strong first-half performance, Salik upgraded its full-year revenue guidance to a 34–36% increase over 2024. EBITDA margins are expected between 68.5–69.5%.

CEO Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad noted the company is “well-positioned to generate sustained value while scaling and diversifying its services.”

Salik’s strong H1 performance reflects not just growing traffic but also the company’s strategic expansion into digital payments, parking solutions, and innovative mobility services—making it a central player in Dubai’s smart transport ecosystem.