Ayala Corporation is closing 2025 with strong momentum and a renewed commitment to nation-building after a year defined by expansion, innovation, and strategic global partnerships that reinforced its confidence in the Philippines’ long-term growth prospects.
Over the past year, the conglomerate broadened its footprint through its emerging businesses, forging alliances with leading international players to bring world-class solutions to the Philippine market while opening new pathways for Filipino enterprises to compete globally. These partnerships underscored Ayala’s strategy of pairing deep local expertise with global best practices to unlock sustainable growth.
In retail, Ayala took a significant step by partnering with United Arab Emirates-based Spinneys, the region’s top premium fresh food supermarket brand, to open its first Philippine stores. The move marked Spinneys’ first venture outside the Gulf, driven by Ayala’s market insight, operational track record, and confidence in the country’s expanding consumer base.
Ayala also entered into a strategic partnership with Thailand’s CP AXTRA, Asia’s leading wholesale and retail operator behind Makro and Lotus’s, to explore new businesses and co-investment opportunities in both the Philippines and Thailand. The collaboration paves the way for synergies across e-commerce, mall development, retail, and wholesale, while signaling the re-entry of Makro into the Philippine market.
In logistics, Ayala strengthened its platform through a partnership with Danish infrastructure fund manager A.P. Moller Capital, which is acquiring a 40 percent stake in AC Logistics. The investment is set to accelerate the company’s expansion and enhance its ability to meet the country’s rapidly evolving logistics needs.
Healthcare also emerged as a growth priority, with Singapore-based impact investor ABC Impact infusing primary capital into AC Health. The investment will support the expansion of Ayala’s network of hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, widening access to quality healthcare across the country.
Complementing these ventures, Ayala pursued innovative financing strategies to fuel growth and advance sustainability-focused initiatives. Early in the year, the company raised $100 million through a blended finance facility with the Asian Development Bank and the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia. The funding will support ACMobility’s expansion of its electric vehicle charging network, helping accelerate the Philippines’ transition to electric mobility.
In March, Ayala secured a $200-million yen-denominated term loan from Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, marking its first yen-denominated financing. The milestone transaction was made possible by Ayala’s strong credit standing, reinforced by a favorable rating from Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd., and will support the group’s continued business expansion.
The year also brought significant global recognition, reinforcing Ayala’s standing in corporate governance, financial innovation, leadership, workplace wellness, and sustainability. The company was named among the top 50 publicly listed firms in ASEAN and among the top five in the Philippines at the 2025 ASEAN Corporate Governance Conference and Awards, and earned its first Five Golden Arrow Award, the highest distinction from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Ayala’s financial initiatives likewise drew accolades, including the Most Innovative Treasury Initiative award at the 2025 CorporateTreasurer Awards and the Philippines’ Transport Deal of the Year at The Asset Triple A Sustainable Infrastructure Awards.
Internationally, the group garnered seven honors at the Finance Asia Awards, retained its inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series, topped the Philippine rankings in TIME and Statista’s World’s Best Companies, secured a place in the 2025 Forbes Global 2000, and achieved WELL v2 Platinum Certification for its headquarters at Ayala Triangle Tower Two, highlighting its commitment to employee health and wellness.
Beyond business, Ayala continued to invest in communities throughout the year, focusing on career development, sports, environmental protection, and disaster response. Through Saludo sa Serbisyo, the group renewed partnerships with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, providing uniformed personnel improved access to Ayala products and services, livelihood training, health and wellness programs, and career support.
Ayala Foundation’s Brigadang Ayala mobilized volunteers across the group for school cleanups and repairs ahead of the June reopening of classes, while also deploying skilled teams to assist post-disaster recovery efforts in areas affected by earthquakes and typhoons. In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ayala committed to help grow five million trees by 2028 under the Forests for Life initiative, supporting reforestation through land allocation, tree planting, and maintenance.
In sports, Ayala joined forces with the MVP Sports Foundation to stage the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge, a first-of-its-kind street pole vault competition held at Ayala Triangle in September. The event brought Olympians and world champions together with rising Filipino athletes, led by national pole vault star EJ Obiena, turning the heart of Makati into a global sporting stage.
“This year, Ayala entered into new partnerships, new ventures, and undertook historic firsts. This is the power of a more connected Ayala,” said Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar P. Consing. “We enter the new year with a renewed commitment to create value by supporting the country’s long-term growth.”