Page 24 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

network experience, Zain insists on higher construction was increased, which network experience enhanced Zain’s brand
standards of 5G network construction to enabled Zain Kuwait to win Ookla's Fastest and helped it achieve greater commercial
ensure high-speed and reliable services Fixed Wireless Network Provider Award in competitiveness.
for all the users. As a result, the investment 2020 and to lead the Open signal Global
in network planning and network Experience Test reports as well. A great

Zain awarded ‘Best Brand’ at Telecom Review Excellence Awards 2021

Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innovator in seven markets
across the Middle East and Africa, announces its Zain brand has
been identified as the ‘Best Brand’ for telecom in the Middle East
for 2021 at the Telecom Review Summit Excellence Awards gala
ceremony held in Dubai on 8 December, 2021. Zain Saudi Arabia
was also awarded ‘Best 5G User Growth’ and ‘Most Innovative
Service’ for its Yaqoot mobile-only platform. Telecom Review
is a leading industry publication and the award recognizes the
outstanding performance of Zain’s brand across all its markets,
which has come to represent the highest standard of customer
service across all of its touchpoints. Winners were chosen
based on demonstrable capabilities in their specific sector by
an independent panel of 15 experienced industry veterans.
Zain has been a recipient of the 'Best Brand’ accolade at other
regional events in the past, confirming the success of its media
campaigns, corporate sustainability, and diversity and inclusion boast over 12 million fans on Facebook, more than seven million
initiatives, as well as its ongoing innovation and investment followers on Twitter, 2.4 million on Instagram and 665,000 on
in network upgrades. These factors combined have resulted LinkedIn, totaling 22 million fans. Annually, Zain Group and its
in exceptional customer experience since the introduction of operations’ numerous YouTube channels receive in excess of 100
the Zain brand in 2007, making it one of the most respected million views. Zain was also the first operator to launch commercial
and recognized corporate brands in the Middle East and Africa. 5G networks in both Kuwait (June 2019) and Saudi Arabia
Zain remains passionate about forging strong partnerships and (October 2019), followed by Bahrain (June 2020); developments
bringing new dynamic services to its customers, evident by the that are positively impacting customer experience and innovation.
recent launch of Zain Esports and the expansion of Zain’s API Sustainability, transparency, and thought leadership lie at the
platform in offering unique and appealing content and gaming core of Zain’s business and this is reflected in every aspect of
services. Zain also recently launched Zain Ventures to reinforce the company’s day-to-day operational activities. Zain’s annual
its efforts in the startup ecosystem, as well as launching ZainTech Sustainability Report highlights the company’s continued regional
to offer enterprises and governments across the region unique, leadership in pursuing its sustainability agenda and supporting
one-stop shopping across the full stack of ICT services. The the communities it serves through outreach activities such as
company’s marketing campaigns across the region on various climate change, children’s rights, capacity-building, education,
media channels have captured the hearts and minds of millions of socio-economic development, and environmental stewardship.
people. Zain’s Ramadan and Eid television commercials this year Zain’s diversity and inclusion program has also proven extremely
received a remarkable 20 million views on YouTube, indicative of successful in further motivating employees given it is one of the
the brand power of Zain. Today, Zain Group and its local operations most progressive of any entity in the region.

Zain Mulls $1.3B Offer for Sudan Operations

Zain Group began due diligence on a $1.3 billion offer for its deal did not include Zain’s business in South Sudan, a country
mobile and ICT managed services businesses in Sudan made which became independent several years after the operator began
by a subsidiary of local conglomerate Dal Group. In a stock providing services to its citizens. Its operation in the new country
market statement, Zain revealed it had received the bid for mobile was subsequently spun-off into a separate division. In Zain’s
operation Zain Sudan and its sister managed services company financial statements for each of the first three quarters of 2021
Kuwait Sudanese Holdings from Dal Group subsidiary Invictus it has bemoaned currency devaluation in Sudan as negatively
Holdings. Dal Group is a business based in Sudan with a diverse impacting earnings. However, in Q3 it also pointed to positive
range of domestic interests spanning the agriculture, energy, subscriber additions in the market and changes being made to
mining, healthcare, consumer goods and automotive sectors. its pricing structure in an attempt to mitigate foreign exchange
Zain noted it was conducting due diligence on the offer before losses.
deciding whether to initially approve the deal. It also clarified the

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