Zain KSA was ranked as one of the 50 most socially responsible brands in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A list published by Forbes Middle East, in cooperation with the National Center for Responsibility and Studies (Saudi CSR), sheading the light on public entities, private companies, and NPOs in Saudi Arabia for their responsibility initiatives impact.The ranking is a result of Zain KSA’s diligent efforts and initiatives as part of their integrated social responsibility strategy. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the best global practices in the field of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), Zain KSA’s strategy supports Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for sustainable development and improved life quality.Embedding ESG across their entire value chain, Zain KSA’s sustainability actions included targeted programs for improving the quality of life for all segments of society. The Women in Technology (WIT) program supports recent female graduates in STEM fields. Through the ‘EVOLVE’ training program, Zain KSA provides recent graduates with practical experience and global know-how to prepare them for the job market. Through a collaboration with the ‘E7twa22’ charity group, Zain KSA employees made in-kind donations to more than 3,000 low-income families during “Kiswat Farah” initiative.Additionally, Zain KSA is a strategic partner of the “Family Safety Program”, which enhances their role in assuring child safety by endorsing the “Saudi Child Helpline” initiative with a comprehensive framework to support future generations in both the physical and digital worlds. The initiative targeted more than 3500 children along with their families through awareness campaigns.Zain KSA recently signed an MoU for a strategic partnership with “Kebar” Association. The partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and empower the elderly to embrace a tech-driven society through a targeted training program.

Zain KSA, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the Kingdom, won 3 awards at the 17th edition of the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, held on December 6-7, 2023 in Dubai. Among these accolades, the company secured the “Best Diversity and Inclusion Program’ award, recognizing its commitment to diversity and inclusion.Winning the ‘Best Diversity and Inclusion Program’ is a testament to Zain KSA’s instrumental efforts in fostering a workplace that empowers all employees to excel and is free from prejudices and bias. The award acknowledges Zain KSA’s corporate culture, rooted in empowering talent and achieving diversity and inclusion by eradicating inequalities based on gender and all forms of discrimination in the workplace, whether they be racial, national, physical, or socioeconomic.Commenting on this award, Loluwah Al-Nowaiser, VP of Human Resources at Zain KSA, Stated “ We are thrilled to receive the 'Best Diversity and Inclusion Program' award, as it strongly affirms Zain KSA's commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.” She added “At Zain KSA, we translate our core values through a corporate culture that underpins a healthy and empowering work environment. We celebrate diversity and proudly embrace differences, demonstrating respect and appreciation for everyone. Through our approach that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), we are always committed to creating equal opportunities for everyone to establish a balanced work environment. We also support young talent in the Kingdom by providing employment opportunities, training programs, and more access to specialized education.We launched our strategic initiative WE in 2017, dedicated to empowering our workforce, by increasing the proportion of female leaders in the company and achieving gender diversity in the workplace, including leadership positions. This initiative has yielded a range of programs supporting job opportunities and training, including the Evolve Program, which has empowered over 100 young employees. Additionally, our "Women in Technology" program provides guidance and opportunities for growth to female university students across the Kingdom pursuing STEM fields (Science, technology, engineering and mathetmatics.)”Additonally, Zain KSA won two other awards at the TR Leaders’ Summit 2023: ‘Best Green Technology’ award in recognition of launching the first zero-emission 5G network worldwide, and ‘Global Merit Leader - Women in ICT of the Year’ honoring Digital Executive General Manager, Njoud AlShehri for her impactful journey in the ICT sector, particularly overseeing the launch of Zain KSA’s Yaqoot digital packages.

After launching the first zero-emission 5G network worldwide, Zain KSA announced the expansion of its 5G services to cover ten additional cities, including Al-Aflaj, Al-Lith, Al Qunfudhah, Al Badayea, Samtah, Shaqra, Al Khobar, Duba, Al Bukayriyah, and Rabigh. These cities now enjoy high-speed 5G digital services.The network expansion is a testament to Zain KSA’s commitment to delivering the latest digital services across the Kingdom and ensuring the best user experience while enhancing Saudi Arabia’s digital competitiveness. It also supports Zain KSA’s strategic goal of accelerating the nationwide digital transformation and improving the quality of life for more communities by providing high-speed digital services that unlock new prospects for service integration and innovation.Zain KSA Engineering Executive General Manager, Eng. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Najidi stated, “In addition to growing our network and expanding our services, at Zain KSA, we are committed to enhancing access to the best and most innovative digital services for everyone in the Kingdom, including individuals and enterprises. We aim to deliver highly reliable connectivity that reinforces Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, helps narrow the digital divide, and improves the quality of life, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. In our commitment to harnessing technology for sustainable development, we have been accelerating green technology collaborations as part of Zain KSA’s overarching ESG strategy. Through a flagship partnership with Red Sea Global, Zain KSA will build the world’s first zero-emission 5G network at the Six Senses Desert Dunes resort in the Red Sea. The solar-powered network utilizes 100% renewable energy from over 750,000 solar panels with purpose-designed towers and state-of-the-art 3D printing technology to deliver three main objectives: environmental protection, reducing emissions through clean energy, and minimizing visual distortion. The project will contribute to localizing the ICT industry and reducing its carbon footprint by more than 278 million tons annually by 2030, and achieving Net Zero by 2060.” The 5G network expansion complements Zain KSA's growing portfolio of bespoke 5G applications and pioneering solutions in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing services, and other emerging technologies.

Zain KSA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Huawei. Marking a significant milestone in the field of green technology collaboration, this agreement took place during Zain KSA's participation in the Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBB Forum 2023). The forum was hosted by Huawei in cooperation with GSMA, GTI, and the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, in Dubai on October 10-11, 2023. Under this agreement, the two companies will collaborate to drive the adoption of green technology across networks and operations.This collaboration supports Zain KSA's corporate sustainability strategy, demonstrating the company's dedication to combating climate change and embracing cutting-edge clean energy solutions. Underscoring Zain KSA's commitment and integration to robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this strategic alliance will accelerate Zain KSA's sustainability initiatives and environmental goals, promoting the adoption of green technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Marking a revolutionary initiative, Zain KSA has recently launched the world's first zero-emission 5G network at the Six Senses Desert Dunes resort in the Red Sea, in collaboration with Red Sea Global (RSG). This groundbreaking solar-powered network utilizes 100% renewable energy from over 760,000 solar panels with purpose-designed towers and state-of-the-art 3D printing technology. These advancements align with three key objectives: environmental conservation, reduction of emissions through the utilization of clean energy, and minimizing visual distortion.Commenting on this milestone, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, Chief Technology Officer of Zain KSA, stated: "Our commitment to integrating technology with sustainability is driven by innovation and the development of modern digital infrastructure. Our ultimate goal is to preserve the environment and ensure its sustainability for future generations. At every level of our company, we are actively promoting sustainability, aiming to be pioneers in technical sustainability. Our efforts have turned us into a leading telecommunications and digital services provider. This partnership with global giant Huawei is a natural extension of our strategic alliances and our corporate sustainability strategy, which serves Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing the quality of life and human well-being by reducing carbon emissions by more than 278 million tons annually by 2030 and ultimately achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. In fact, Zain KSA and Huawei share a unified vision to build a smarter and more environmentally friendly world. Together, we will take steps to reduce the negative impact on planet Earth, both globally and specifically within the Kingdom, aiming to empower humanity to achieve its aspirations by harnessing the power of technology to preserve the sustainability of our planet for future generations."Zain KSA has achieved a significant milestone by attaining an "A" rating on the MSCI ESG Index. This upgrade, from a previous BBB rating, underscores the importance of the company’s initiatives in environmental conservation, social responsibility, and efficient governance of its operational, financial, and administrative processes.

Zain KSA, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, has signed a partnership agreement with LIV Golf to become the official telecommunication partner for the highly anticipated LIV Golf Jeddah tournament. Scheduled to take place October 13-15 at King Abdullah Economic City, the groundbreaking tournament will feature 12 teams comprising 48 elite golfers from all over the world. The event promises to revolutionize the global landscape of the sport with a new format and a staggering prize pool of up to $25 million.Commenting on Zain KSA's sponsorship of LIV Golf Jeddah, Zain KSA's Corporate Communication Officer, Rayan bin Abdullah Al-Turki, stated: “Zain KSA is delighted to be the Official Telecommunication Partner of LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN. Through this partnership, we are proud to provide advanced digital infrastructure and services for this premier sporting event featuring many of golf’s biggest stars. This is a championship tournament and Zain KSA will deliver championship-caliber technology to connect with LIV Golf’s global audience.”The collaboration with the global LIV Golf series, launched with the support of the Public Investment Fund, aligns seamlessly with Zain KSA's strategic vision to position the Kingdom as a premier global sports hub. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives of empowering a vibrant society by fostering healthy and fulfilling lives and enhancing the overall quality of life. The partnership marks a significant milestone, in light of the rising popularity of golf in the Kingdom. In 2022, 50,000 new enthusiasts embraced the sport, in line with the Kingdom’s plans to construct 17 new golf courses and invest approximately $3 billion in the local golfing infrastructure.

Zain KSA has achieved ISO 22301 certification for Business Continuity Management Systems and ISO/IEC 27001 certification for Information Security. These dual ISO certifications underscore Zain KSA's unwavering commitment to implementing robust risk management and information security practices in line with the standards and governance mechanisms set by the National Cybersecurity Authority, and the international standards ISO 22301:2019 and ISO/IEC 27001:2013. By meeting these benchmarks, Zain KSA demonstrates its dedication to meticulously tracking and mitigating material risks, aiming to uphold the highest standards of information security while bolstering its commitment to seamless business continuity.Commenting on this milestone, Eng. Fawaz Al-Homoud, Zain KSA’s Vice President of Enterprise Risk and Information Security, stated: “At Zain KSA, we are dedicated to safeguarding our innovations, fostering growth, and maintaining a cutting-edge technical infrastructure. To this end, we integrate world-class security standards and protections to ensure seamless business continuity, eliminating threats or potential risks while ensuring the highest level of preparedness. Our recent achievement of securing double ISO certificates underscores our steadfast commitment to maintaining a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS). We consistently implement, monitor, and maintain the ISMS, encompassing cybersecurity, IT operations, personnel affairs, and procurement. This comprehensive approach is designed to systematically and effectively safeguard the company's data and minimize information security risks. By adhering to a defined set of best practices, Zain KSA is committed to keeping pace with the Kingdom's rapid advancements under Saudi Vision 2030, championing and safeguarding the nationwide digital transformation to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience against various cyber threats.”Zain KSA has previously obtained ISO 27017 and ISO 27018, part of the ISO 27001 ISMS set of certificates that focus on security management for cloud computing service providers.

Rakuten Symphony and Zain KSA announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable strategic collaboration in building next-generation telecommunications networks based on open standards and network infrastructure provided by Rakuten Symphony.Rakuten Symphony assists telcos worldwide with the deployment of fully cloud-native network services based on open standards and advanced automation and orchestration, enabling companies to easily build secure and open mobile networks at high speed and low cost. The signing of the MoU was announced at MWC23, held in Barcelona from February 27 until March 2.Under the terms of the MoU, Rakuten Symphony and Zain KSA will collaborate to accelerate the delivery of mobile network services through the use of open technology that will facilitate and revolutionize wireless infrastructure, with the potential to deliver cost-effective solutions in a quick and efficient manner. Rakuten will work with Zain KSA on a blueprint for a cloud-native, fully virtualized, new-generation radio access solution architecture, which will be Open RAN 4G and 5G-based with advanced automation capabilities.Zain KSA Chief Technology Officer, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, said: “We are delighted to work closely with Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony to drive innovation and deliver top-class services that meet and anticipate the ever-growing demand for reliable, secure, and ultramodern network experiences from our individual and enterprise customers. This collaboration will leverage and maximize the strengths of Zain KSA and Rakuten to accelerate innovation and drive the Saudi ICT sector toward achieving Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to transform the Kingdom into a digital hub that fosters a digital economy and hyper-connected society.”“We are very excited to collaborate with Zain KSA and share our expertise in building next-generation telecommunication networks,” said Tareq Amin, CEO of Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Symphony. “We believe that Rakuten Symphony’s network automation and orchestration solutions for cost-effective network transformation and timely deployment of next-generation network services will help Zain KSA deliver a superior experience to their customers.”The signing of this MoU is in alignment with Zain KSA’s digital-first strategy and its goal of accelerating the inclusive digital transformation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while driving business growth and scaling up user experiences through a wide range of applications across sectors.

 During MWC23 in Barcelona, Huawei and leading Saudi Arabian telecommunications operator Zain KSA signed a strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for "5.5G City" joint innovation project. The MoU was signed during MWC23 held in Barcelona from February 27 to March 2.Under the MoU, both parties will work together to promote technological innovation for 5.5G evolution and expand scalable offerings to individual, enterprise, and government customers. Additionally, they will strengthen the digital infrastructure and build a global 5.5G evolution pioneer network, providing a strong engine to achieve the national digitalization goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.Zain KSA and Huawei will collaborate to enhance technological innovation, improve user experience, and develop new use cases. The collaboration will involve providing a seamless gigabit experience in both indoor and outdoor scenarios through the large-scale deployment of MetaAAU and 5G carrier aggregation, as well as LampSite digital indoor solutions. Additionally, initiatives will be taken to enhance the performance of Massive MIMO networks and to develop end-to-end autonomous network operation and optimization capabilities. Both parties will also work together to develop new use cases for the Internet of Things (IoT) and private network solutions. Finally, the partnership will explore innovative cooperation in areas such as ultra-compact site and green energy solutions, among others.Zain KSA's Chief Technology Officer, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, commented: "Our commitment to driving digital transformation in the Kingdom has been made possible by combining innovative technology investments with pioneering digital solutions across multiple fields, including cloud computing, fintech, business support, and drone technologies. Zain KSA is on a mission to empower a digital society and support the transition towards a digital economy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's digital transformation strategy. By partnering with global ICT leaders, including Huawei, we are committed to enhancing Zain KSA's end-to-end network through our joint innovation on 5G-Advanced technology and by incubating a range of vertical services for industry digitalization."Ritchie Peng, President of Huawei's 5G Product Line, said, "We are committed to providing leading products and solutions for operators and helping them build high-quality mobile networks through continuous technical innovations. We are excited to work with Zain KSA on this 5.5G City project and hope that this cooperation will allow our innovative products and solutions to create business and social value. Our vision is to help Zain KSA build better 5G networks and more importantly, leading digital infrastructure."MWC Barcelona 2023 ran from February 27 to March 2 in Barcelona, Spain. Huawei showcased its products and solutions at stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. Together with global operators, industry professionals, and opinion leaders, Huawei delved into topics such as 5G business success, 5.5G opportunities, green development, digital transformation, and our vision of using the GUIDE business blueprint to lay the foundation for 5.5G and build on the success of 5G for even greater prosperity. For more information, please

Zain KSA, the leading digital service provider, announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) with Cisco to collaborate on the development of network automation and service orchestration to improve network service outcomes. The MoU was signed during its participation at Mobile World Congress (MWC23), which was held in Barcelona from February 27 until March 3.Through this MoU, Zain KSA and Cisco plan to work together to develop an automation blueprint that is aimed at simplifying day-to-day network operations, including maintaining, monitoring, and optimizing the system, with sophisticated automation tools, with the aim of supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation, and enabling the community to enjoy a smarter mobile lifestyle, using advanced technologies so that Zain KSA will be the preferred digital partner for its clients, including individuals, and the business sector.Commenting on the MoU, Zain KSA’s Chief Technology Officer, Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, said: “The expansion of the use of 5G technologies, the significant increase in networked devices, and the increasing consumption of content services have led to increasing pressure on networks, and our cooperation with Cisco is an important step to keep pace with this development and accelerate the digital transformation journey.” He added: “This MoU is in line with our strategy to innovate, deliver integrated digital experiences to our customers, and enhance their experiences across the Kingdom, accelerating the realization of Saudi Vision 2030’ goals.”Adam MacHale, Vice President, Service Provider EMEA, at Cisco, commented: “Cisco's model-driven approach to network automation with open API’s and service orchestration will help Zain KSA simplify operations and deliver services more quickly across the entire lifecycle. This will enable Zain KSA to improve the quality of its services and continue to deliver a superior customer experience over broadband through reliable and high-speed connectivity.”