Page 34 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Zain Awarded ‘Best Telco Operator’, ZainTech
Wins ‘Best Digital Service’ at 2022 Telecom World

Middle East Awards

Zain Group, the leading mobile telecom innovator in seven
markets across the Middle East and Africa, announces that it has
been awarded the ‘Best Telco Operator’ accolade for 2022 at the
prestigious Telecoms World Middle East Awards event held in
Dubai, UAE on 24 May. Impressively, ZainTech, Zain Group’s one-
stop digital and ICT solutions arm driving the transformation of
enterprises and governments across the region, was recognized
with the ‘Best Digital Service’ award. ZainTech provides a center
of excellence and managed solutions across multiple ICT verticals
including cloud, cybersecurity, big data, IoT, artificial intelligence,
smart cities, drones, robotics, and emerging technologies. These
latest awards were bestowed on Zain by a panel of expert judges
assembled by Terrapinn, the organizers of the prestigious annual
Telecoms World Middle East Conference and Awards. The event
recognizes outstanding performance in key telecom-related areas
throughout the Middle East and shines a spotlight on leading
players who have contributed to making the sector one of the most
dynamic globally. Zain’s selection as this year’s ‘Best Telco Operator’
is a result of a combination of factors related to the successful
implementation of its value-creative ‘4Sight’ strategy that among
many advances, has resulted in the company’s brand valuation by
the Brand Finance Middle East reaching USD 2.4 billion, an increase
of 9.6% (over USD 211 million) year-on-year in its AA+ brand rating.
Zain’s value creation has been driven by tangible developments,
including talent development incorporating its Diversity & Inclusion
program; heavy investment in 4G, 5G and Fiber network upgrades;
and digital innovation including the creation of ZainTech, Zain Global
Connect, Dizlee API platform, Zain Esports, ZainCash, Tamam and
Yaqoot (Saudi Arabia) and Oodi (Iraq). Notably, the company’s
corporate sustainability programs including climate initiatives, eye-
catching marketing, and social media campaigns have continued
to capture hearts and minds across the region. Commenting on in key markets with a comprehensive range of quality enterprise
the ‘Best Telco Operator’ and ‘Best Digital Service’ recognition, offerings, expertise as well as wide partner relationships. ZainTech
Bader Al-Kharafi, Vice-Chairman and Zain Group CEO said, “The leverages Zain’s global reach, unique regional footprint, and
successful implementation of our ‘4Sight’ strategy is creating value infrastructure across operations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain,
for all stakeholders and fulfilling our brand promise of unlocking Jordan, Iraq, and the UAE, as well as in other key markets in the
opportunities for customers, enterprises, and the government Middle East. Group-wide, Zain’s B2B offerings witnessed 19%
entities we serve. This recognition rewards the dedication and year-on-year revenue growth during 2021. As Zain evolves into a
passion of every Zain employee who despite the challenges of the leading digital lifestyle provider to create lasting value for society, it
pandemic, have remained professional and focused on continuing remains committed to delivering positive results for shareholders
to offer exemplary service throughout.” Al Kharafi added, “It is a and other stakeholders. The company is also consistently investing
great honor for ZainTech to be recognized at such an early stage significantly in improving customer experience, providing more
of its regional expansion strategy. The ZainTech team have an digital channels than ever before and allowing customers greater
explicit mission to support enterprises and government entities accessibility, simplicity, and freedom to manage their accounts, buy
in their digital transformation and performance journeys, offering new services, pay bills, and more. From a corporate sustainability
the best expertise, products, and services in the business.” Zain’s perspective, Zain has transitioned the business to advance its
successful ‘4Sight’ strategy continues to gather momentum. It agenda and set in place key performance indicators with the aim
is centered on evolving the company’s core telecom business to of developing a more structured and measured approach for all
maximize value and build on its many strengths. The company is its markets. In January 2022, for example, Zain was upgraded to
selectively investing in growth verticals beyond traditional mobile A- in the 'CDP Score Report – Climate Change 2021', becoming the
services to support Zain’s vision of becoming a leading ICT and highest ranked and only telecom operator in the Middle East and
digital lifestyle provider. ZainTech is a key pillar in the evolution of Africa to achieve this positive rating with respect to its efforts to
Zain Group’s core telecom business, empowering Zain Business address climate change.

34 MAY-JUNE 2022