Page 40 - SAMENA Trends - March-April 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

• Launch of a Child Online Safety Booklet • The Zain Kids platform became available consumption in addition to reducing
in collaboration with UNICEF, promoting in several markets offering safe online waste in its warehouses by 50% by 2025
safe esports and gaming to schools and content, reaching 1.6 million children, • Zain's climate actions saw the company
universities a quadrupling of child subscribers over upgraded to A- in latest 'CDP Score
• Zain Jordan's Basma Line+, a mobile the year Report - Climate Change 2021', ranking
bundle package, attracted 329 people • Launch of BE WELL, a Group-wide it first in-region and among globally
from the deaf and mute community, diversity and inclusion program aiming leaders. This ranking is higher than the
while in Kuwait, Zain introduced two to foster the mental well-being of regional average for Asia of B-, and higher
postpaid packages dedicated to people employees across operations than the Media, Telecommunications &
with disabilities • Zain began to measure its water Data Center Services sector average of
• With respect to products for the youth, consumption across operations, B-. Additionally, Zain took a major step
in Sudan, discounted data bundles implementing water reduction in expanding its Scope 3 emissions
reached 6.2 million users initiatives aiming to eliminate plastic inventory to report more accurately.

Zain Group Holds Annual General Meeting with a Quorum of 75.14%;
Dividend of 23 Fils for H2, 2021 Approved

fils per share follows the semi-annual well as by all the government ministries
dividend of 10 fils distributed in the second and regulatory authorities across our
half of 2021, thus totaling 33 fils per share markets given their support in overcoming
dividend for the year. This third consecutive the challenges of the emerging industry
payment of 33 fils per share on an annual dynamics.
basis completes the company’s three- Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader
year minimum commitment that started in Al-Kharafi said:
2019. The annual dividend payout of 33 fils
Zain Group Chairman, Ahmed Al Tahous reflects a 77% payout ratio, one of the
said: The Board of Directors welcomes highest in the region, providing a clear
all shareholders and affiliated parties to indication of the strength of Zain’s
the annual General Assembly, and we are financial solvency and solid operational
pleased to present the Zain Group annual performance. It also reflects the company's
report, available only in digital format. ability to execute on its profitable growth
2021 was a successful year in terms of plans despite the continuing challenges of
driving shareholder value given the Board the pandemic and impact of unavoidable
and management’s focus on operational currency devaluations on the business.
efficiency, significant investment in 2021 was a successful year in terms of
network upgrades, while managing the driving shareholder value given the board
negative effects of the pandemic on our and management’s prudent execution
operations. As economic activity across of our sustainability-conscious 4Sight
our footprint generally recovers, Zain strategy that empowered Zain to be a
is well prepared to exploit the multiple leading technology innovator. Promoting
opportunities opening as demand for digital inclusion is of critical importance
telecommunications services continues for governments and businesses at the
Zain Group Annual General Meeting (AGM) to rise by individuals and enterprises alike. present time and Zain continues seeking
was held at Zain Group’s headquarters Our 4G and 5G networks, data centers, new lucrative business verticals in the
in Kuwait, that was livestreamed for cloud and other customer facing digital digital arena. Given the presence of the
shareholders and qualified parties and platforms are all future ready and operating pandemic, digital technologies are being
attended with a shareholder quorum at optimal levels. Zain looks forward relied upon in a growing manner to bridge
of 75.14%. The AGM approved the unlocking opportunities brought by the the digital divide, prepare the workforce
recommended cash dividend of 23% 4th Industrial revolution, establishing a for more innovative jobs in the future, and
(23 fils per share) for the second half of strong foothold within the government and develop secure digital platforms. Zain
2021, payable to the shareholders already enterprise sector and providing meaningful Group continues to accelerate investments
registered in the company's record as of connectivity to the communities we serve. in new business verticals, being one of the
6 April 2022. The cash dividends will be We express our sincere appreciation first telcos in the region to provide digital
paid to eligible shareholders commencing for the confidence shown to us by our applications and platforms to support
13 April 2022. This cash dividend of 23 valued customers and shareholders, as enterprises and governments, and it has

40 MARCH-APRIL 2022