Dubai’s exclusive toll operator sees 33.7% year-on-year revenue surge, robust EBITDA margins, and a sharp rise in chargeable trips, setting a strong pace for 2025
Salik Company PJSC, the exclusive toll gate operator in Dubai, has announced a stellar start to the year, posting a 33.7 per cent year-on-year increase in total revenue for the first quarter of 2025, reaching Dh751.6 million. The impressive growth, supported by the implementation of variable pricing and the launch of two new toll gates, reinforces Salik’s expanding role in Dubai’s smart mobility ecosystem.
Tolling Business Powers Growth
At the core of Salik’s performance lies its tolling business, which saw 158.0 million chargeable trips in Q1 2025 — a 35.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Of these, 39.3 million trips were made during peak hours at the new Dh6 rate, and 107.5 million during off-peak hours at Dh4. The introduction of variable pricing on January 31, 2025, coupled with the launch of Business Bay and Al Safa South toll gates in late 2024, played a key role in driving this surge.
Revenue from toll usage fees climbed to Dh665.6 million, marking a 35.5 per cent year-on-year rise. Fines brought in Dh68.4 million, while tag activation fees contributed Dh11.5 million, reflecting the growing user base.
Expanding Ancillary Revenue Streams
Beyond tolling, Salik’s ancillary revenue streams are gaining traction. Partnerships with Emaar Malls and Parkonic generated Dh2.8 million, and the Liva Group partnership contributed Dh0.5 million through integrated insurance renewal services. The continued integration of Salik’s e-wallet with over 107 UAE parking locations demonstrates its vision to evolve into a broader mobility solutions provider.
Salik also signed a key MoU with ENOC to enable smart payments at fuel stations using its e-wallet, further expanding its utility.
Strong Financials and Profitability
The company’s financial health remained solid, with EBITDA rising 37.9 per cent year-on-year to Dh519.6 million, delivering an impressive EBITDA margin of 69.1 per cent. Net profit before tax hit Dh407.2 million, while net profit after tax stood at Dh370.6 million, both reflecting a 33.6–33.7 per cent increase.
Salik also saw a free cash flow increase of 77.8 per cent, reaching Dh626.7 million, with a margin of 83.4 per cent. Net debt declined by 10.6 per cent from year-end 2024 to Dh4.65 billion, lowering leverage to 2.7x Net Debt to EBITDA.
Strategic Vision and Expansion
Chairman Mattar Al Tayer highlighted Salik’s ambition to become a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility. “Our exceptional Q1 performance reflects our continued focus on delivering long-term value to shareholders,” he said. “Dubai’s robust economic growth has created a strong foundation for sustainable expansion.”
CEO Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad added, “We’ve entered 2025 with strong momentum. Our growing ancillary streams, like Dubai Mall and Parkonic, are gaining user traction, and profitability remains robust.”
Salik’s outlook for FY2025 remains bullish, with total revenue expected to grow 28–29 per cent, supported by strategic partnerships, geographic expansion outside Dubai, and the continuous enhancement of user experience. The company also projects an EBITDA margin of 68–69 per cent.
Innovation and Workforce Development
Salik’s workforce grew by 29 per cent year-on-year, with Emiratization at 29.6 per cent and women making up 20.4 per cent of its staff. Initiatives like customised Salik tags for corporate clients and barrier-free parking payments demonstrate its focus on innovation and user convenience.
As Dubai continues to position itself at the forefront of smart city development, Salik is well-poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of urban mobility.
With a 33.7% revenue jump and 158 million chargeable trips in Q1, Salik accelerates its smart mobility strategy through dynamic pricing, new toll gates, and expanding digital partnerships.
