Zain Group

Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P. (doing business as Zain) is a Kuwaiti mobile telecommunications company founded in 1983 in Kuwait as MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company), and later rebranded as Zain in 2007. Zain has a commercial presence in seven countries across the Middle East with 47.8 million active customers as of 30 June 2024. The Vice Chairman and Group CEO is Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, who was appointed in March 2017.^[2][3]

Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P.

Zain Group's logo used since 2019
Formerly	Mobile Telecommunications Company (1983–2007)
Company type	Public
Industry	Telecommunications
Founded	1983; 42 years ago (1983)[1]
Headquarters	Kuwait City, Kuwait
Area served	7 countries in the Middle East & North Africa
Key people	Osamah Othman Alfuraih (Chairman), Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi (Vice-Chairman and Group CEO), Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally (CEO of Zain Kuwait)
Products	Premium messages
Revenue	US$3.1 billion (Q2 -2024) main source:premium messages
Net income	US$265 million (Q2 2024)
Number of employees	8,600+ (as of 31 December 2024)
Website	zain.com/en

As of 2024, the two major stakeholders are Kuwait Investment Authority with 15.9% and Omantel with 21.9%.^[4]

The Zain brand is one of the recognized telecom brands across the MENA region, with a brand value of US$3 billion (2024).^[5]

Financial highlights

Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange. There are no restrictions on Zain shares as the company's capital is 100% free float and publicly traded.

In Q2 2024, Zain Group generated consolidated revenue of KD 479 million (USD 1.6 billion), up 4% compared to Q2 2023. Normalized EBITDA grew 13% YoY to reach KD 178 million (USD 579 million), reflecting an EBITDA margin of 37%. Normalized net income growth soared 55% to reach KD 52 million (USD 170 million) reflecting an earnings per share of 12 fils. Normalized EBITDA and net income growth for Q2 2024 is arrived at by adjusting the number range claim in Q2 2023.^[6]

Operations

Zain has presence in a number of countries.

Country	Site	Remarks
Bahrain	bh.zain.com	Zain started operations in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 14 August 2003 as MTC-Vodafone. Since then, it has introduced 4.5G LTE services to the country. Zain's network covers 100% of the Bahrain's Bahraini population.
Iraq	iq.zain.com	Zain has provided mobile services in Iraq since December 2003. After securing a 15-year license in August 2007, Zain Iraq acquired Iraqna's network, becoming the largest mobile operator in Iraq with 15.7 million customers.[citation needed]Since then it offers 4.5G LTE services across Iraq.
Jordan	jo.zain.com	In 1994, Zain in Jordan, formerly Fastlink, was the first to introduce mobile services in the country. In 2003, it was the first to join what is now the Zain Group's Middle East portfolio. it now offers 4.5G LTE services across the Kingdom.
Kuwait	kw.zain.com	Zain in Kuwait is the group's flagship operation, which was established in 1983 and in 1994 became the first telecom operator to launch commercial GSM services in the region and now offers nationwide 4.5G LTE. In June 2019, the operator launched 5G commercial services and by end of 2019, covered over 90% of populated areas with 5G services.
Lebanon	touch.com.lb	In June 2004, Zain won a four-year management contract to operate one of Lebanon's two GSM networks, rebranded to touch, which has subsequently been renewed.[7] In June 2012, MTC Touch rebranded to touch. touch also offers 4.5G LTE services.
Morocco	inwi.ma	On 14 March 2009, Zain in a 50/50 partnership with Al Ajial Investment Fund Holding acquired 31% of Wana Corporate SA INWI (formerly known as Wana) in Morocco.
Saudi Arabia	sa.zain.com	Zain launched its commercial operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 26 August 2008, a year after it was awarded its mobile license. The group holds management control of the operation and has a 37% ownership stake. Zain Saudi Arabia offers nationwide 4.5G LTE services. In October 2019, Zain KSA launched 5G commercial services in what was then the largest 5G rollout in Europe, Middle East and Africa and 3rd largest globally.
South Sudan	ss.zain.com	Zain is the No. 1 operator in South Sudan.
Sudan	sd.zain.com	In February 2006, Zain acquired the remaining 61% stake of Mobitel, Sudan's first mobile operator, in a deal valued at $1.332 billion, resulting in 100% ownership. The company was rebranded to Zain in September 2007 and subsequently renewed its license in Sudan for a period of 20 years through its subsidiary Zain Sudan. The operation offers 4G services in major cities across the country.

Presence in Africa (2005–2010)

From 2005 to 2010, Zain maintained a presence in a number of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to its core market in the MENA region.

Zain entered Africa in May 2005 through the $3.4 billion purchase of Celtel International which had 13 country operations in Africa, serving five million customers at that time. Zain invested heavily across the continent through network upgrades and acquiring two more country licences. By June 2010, Zain had over 40 million customers across the continent, operating in Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

In early 2010, Zain accepted an offer for the sale of all its Africa operations. On 8 June 2010, Zain announced that it had satisfied all required conditions precedent to closing of the sale of 100% of Zain Africa BV to Bharti Airtel Limited for $10.7 billion on an enterprise basis.^[8]

Today, Zain operates on the African continent only in Sudan, South Sudan and Morocco.

See also

• Company portal
• Telecommunications portal

• Celtel