Page 29 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

in EBITDA and USD 7 million in Net Income. massive demand in the remaining start of the COVID 19 pandemic, the
Key Operational Notes for 12 months priority rights subscription that was Group’s key focus has been on providing
ended 31 December, 2020 oversubscribed by an unprecedented meaningful connectivity and implementing
1. COVID-19 pandemic disrupted 469% more digitalization initiatives to better
economic activity due to lockdowns 6. Zain Iraq granted 4G license with serve communities, businesses and
and travel bans across all Zain markets, mobile license extended to 2030 governments, aiming to lessen the impact
impacted Group’s revenue by USD 417 7. Handover of Lebanon’s network to the of the pandemic on society. I would like to
million for the full year Ministry of Telecom, effective October thank all the government ministries and
2. Decisive cost optimization measures 30, 2020 regulatory authorities across our markets
such as contracts renegotiation and 8. Company launches a new powerhouse for their wisdom and understanding of the
management of cashflows succeeded in gaming, ‘Zain eSports’ to boost the emerging industry dynamics, supporting
in reducing operational expenses by gaming ecosystem us in overcoming challenges faced by the
USD 168 million 9. The Zain Group Application Program telecom sector during these unique times.”
3. The year was highlighted by the notable Interface (API) platform witnessed Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader
revenue growth from 5G in Kuwait and impressive customer uptake, Al-Kharafi commented, “The Group’s
Saudi Arabia that underscored the generating healthy revenues from performance for 2020 reflects the reality
Group’s consolidated data revenue having over 5 million transactions per of the COVID 19 pandemic’s disruption
growth of 9% Y-o-Y, to reach USD 2.2 month on economic-social activity and the
billion, representing 41% of the Group’s 10. Zain joins a global effort with GSMA to unavoidable impact it had on the financial
revenue for 2020. improve Digital Inclusion of Persons results. The Board and management are
4. Throughout 2020, Zain Group invested with Disabilities working closely together in minimizing
USD 1.4 billion in CAPEX (26% of 11. Zain ranked best Telecom employer this impact across our footprint with a
revenues), predominantly in 5G in the region by Forbes’ World’s particular focus on driving efficiencies,
rollouts in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia; 4G Employers list for 2020. Also ranked cost optimization and monetizing our
upgrades and new network sites across 4th best regional employer across all 4G and 5G networks. Our 4Sight strategy
Iraq and Jordan; expansion of Fiber-to- industries and only company from is taking shape, building on our many
the-Home (FTTH) infrastructure; and Kuwait in Forbes list strengths while seeking new value-
spectrum license fees Commenting on the results, the Chairman creating business verticals that support
5. Zain KSA completed its capital of the Board of Directors of Zain Group, our vision of becoming a leading ICT and
restructuring during Q4 2020 with Mr. Ahmed Al Tahous said, “Since the digital lifestyle provider.”

Zain Group Publishes 10th Annual Austainability Report, Titled ‘The Ten-

Year Journey’

Zain Group announces the publication of report, entitled ‘The Ten-Year Journey’, Partners) providing limited assurance.
its consecutive 10th annual sustainability which charts the sustainability agenda The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated and
the company has undertaken in this area further pronounced the huge societal
across its footprint over the last decade. discrepancies exposed in many areas
During this decade, Zain has evolved of life across the globe. Zain’s latest
its operations by becoming a digital report demonstrates the company’s firm
lifestyle service provider, establishing commitment to creating positive, long-
value-driven and purposeful activities, lasting systemic change to better address
building resilience, adapting to market the socio-economic and environmental
changes, addressing societal deficits, impacts across its operating markets
and establishing purpose driven activities and to facilitate socio-economic growth.
centered on Meaningful Connectivity. The This is achieved by building relationships
10th edition showcases how Zain continued based on transparency and trust with all
to improve and adapt its activities to stakeholders, setting meaningful goals,
align to international best practices and and placing sustainability at the core of
report on its activities following the GRI Zain’s business activities. The company’s
Standards Framework. Moreover, for first earlier development of digitalization
time Zain also adopted the Sustainability and sustainability programs placed it in
Accounting Standard Board framework a good position to react quickly to the
(SASB) for Telecommunications Services. unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19
Both standards were externally assured pandemic, with operations in each market
by Ernst & Young (Al Aiban, Al Osaimi and playing pivotal roles in support of their local

29 FEB-MAR 2021