Page 27 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

deployment miles ahead, and we are the leading regional 5G operators. Omantel NVIDIA and Zain to launch the powerful
getting future-ready by bringing the most is engaged with vertical industries and cloud-based GeForce Now for its home
advanced technologies to the nation.” partners to expand the industry's digital broadband customers. Gamers can just
Omantel was the first operator in the transformation. During last year’s GITEX, use GeForce Now and play online by
Sultanate of Oman to commercialize 5G Omantel along with Hutchison Ports Sohar connecting to their favorite gaming stores/
services, after leading the commercializing and Huawei collaborated to successfully platforms like Steam, Ubisoft and Epic
of the FWA and eMBB (Enhanced Mobile launch the use case of 5G smart port Games. Omantel’s focus is to take the user
Broadband) services, significantly in the Sultanate of Oman. This was the experience to higher levels, in terms of
expanding all basic 5G outdoor coverage first 5G application in the field of ports in network performance, service provisioning
in major cities of Oman in 2022. Omantel is the Middle East region. Omantel is also channels, and after-sales care that builds
proud of its leadership of the 5G market in using 5G to take cloud gaming to the market competitiveness through user
the Sultanate of Oman and for being one of next level. It recently joined hands with experience leadership.

Zain Awarded the 'Best Diversity & Inclusion
Strategy' PR at Informa Connect Future Workplace
Awards 2022

Zain, a leading mobile telecom innovator in seven markets across
the Middle East and Africa, has been recognized as having the
‘Best Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Strategy” in the Middle East at
the Future Workplace Awards 2022, held in Dubai on 15 November,
organized by the UK based Informa Connect, a member of the FTSE
100. Zain also won the award for “Best Women Development &
Leadership Program” at the gala event, solidifying the company’s
reputation as being one of the most progressive and inclusive
companies to work for. Future Workplace Awards (formerly
known as Middle East HR Excellence Awards) showcases the
best human resources (HR) talent in the Middle East and honors
HR professionals in government and the private sector for their
outstanding contributions in creating a high performing workforce
for the future. Zain operates one of the most comprehensive D&I
programs of any organization in the Middle East, which is now
in its fifth year. Since its introduction, Zain’s D&I initiative has
become a key part of the fabric of the company, transforming how
it hires, plans for succession, develops its people, and ultimately aim to deliver on this. With respect to women development and
creates a vibrant and inclusive culture. The program focuses leadership, Zain set a target to have 25% women in leadership
on six key pillars: Gender Diversity (WE); Disability Inclusion roles against a background of just 14.5% when the program was
(WE ABLE); Youth Empowerment Initiatives (ZY); Innovation & first introduced. Our focus for Women at Zain is succession,
Entrepreneurship (Zainiac); Employee Well-being (BE WELL); as development, and leaders who will role model behaviors for entry
well as mentoring (REACH). Zain Group Chief Diversity & Inclusion level women in tech. Thanking the judging panel of the Future
Officer, Maryam Saif commented, “To be recognized as an award- Workplace Awards 2022 for the recognition of Zain’s efforts in the
winning Diversity and Inclusion team is testament not only to how important areas of diversity and inclusion, Ms. Saif added, “Zain
much we believe in our purpose, but how relentless we are to push will continue investing in its people as upskilling staff, mentoring,
for change within Zain. By nurturing a diverse and inclusive culture, and guiding them, allowing them to feel part of something that
through a series of carefully crafted programs and initiatives, is greater than themselves, and appreciating their individualism
we are beginning to observe significant evolution internally. We and talents, all help build strong workforces which organizations
seek to harness the power of our differences to position Zain as can ultimately harness and benefit from.” Zain’s values, of Heart,
a global catalyst for change.” Zain’s internal agenda seeks to Radiance and Belonging are ingrained into the company and the
promote innovation from within, with the ZY strategy based on culture. It was imperative to integrate the strategy into the DNA of
critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Through Generation the company for it to be effective and thus Diversity & Inclusion
Z programs, Reverse Mentoring, and ZY Leadership Development at Zain is closely intertwined with these values, enabling the
initiatives, Zain’s priority is to prepare young leaders for the company to implement its programs and initiatives effectively.
future of work. Wellness and inclusion are vital and to truly live its The two prestigious D&I awards follow Zain’s recent recognition
values and deliver on the promise of becoming a fully accessible by Forbes magazine as Best Employer in Kuwait and among the
and inclusive organization, Zain’s BE WELL and WE ABLE pillars top-10 companies to work for in the Middle East.

27 NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2022