Fintech
Creating value by scaling and investing in the Digital ecosystem
Digital Zain is one of four key forces of the ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’ corporate strategy, centered on scaling innovation and investing in digital platforms and emerging technologies to expand beyond traditional connectivity and unlock new revenue opportunities.
In recent years, Zain’s foray into multiple new digital-focused business verticals has created value for the company on multiple fronts, which include attracting and improving customer experience, enhancing the Zain brand, and delivering new revenue streams.
Revenue
+
28
%
YoY
Customers
+
61
%
YoY
FinTech rollout across all markets
Throughout 2025, Zain expanded its FinTech operations and services, contributing to the evolution of the region’s digital ecosystem and financial inclusion. Fintech operations were rolled out in KSA, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Sudan, along with FOO, a UAE-based subsidiary specialized in FinTech solutions for enterprises and governments of all sizes.
In 2024, Zain introduced BEDE, its all-new Fintech masterbrand, first launched in Bahrain. In 2025, BEDE expanded to Kuwait and Sudan. Going forward, Zain plans to gradually rebrand all its FinTech entities under BEDE
Kuwait
Bookeey, Zain’s mobile wallet and payment gateway, was successfully rebranded to BEDE as part of its integration into the Zain FinTech portfolio. The rebrand marked a strategic shift toward establishing Kuwait’s leading digital FinTech platform, designed to expand inclusive financial access for consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) through intelligent, compliant, and borderless digital finance, underpinned by deep partnerships with the banking sector and the Group’s Kuwait operation. BEDE currently delivers an omni-channel payments stack offering a powerful suite of business-grade payment services built to support businesses of all sizes launch faster, sell across channels, and get paid seamlessly. The entity is awaiting regulatory approvals to rollout more services.
Bahrain
BEDE was launched in the Kingdom in 2024, offering microfinancing services to Bahraini nationals. It has since expanded inclusive financing by broadening eligibility to non-Bahraini nationals and retirees, increasing financing limits, and launching Sharia-compliant campaigns such as Ramadan “No Fees, No Profit Financing.” It has also strengthened digital capabilities through advanced backend integrations, AI-powered customer engagement, and self-service features that enhanced automation, speed, and customer experience. BEDE also scaled impact and partnerships by launching Ta’leem, Bahrain’s first digital education financing solution, and deepening collaborations with Mastercard, NEC, and SINNAD to deliver value-added and payment services.
Iraq
Zain Cash strengthened its leadership in the Iraqi market by expanding financial inclusion and increasing access to secure mobile financial services. A new mobile app was launched with improved user experience and added services, including the integration of Zain Bundles, expanded merchant payments, and enhanced remittances. A fully digital onboarding journey was introduced, with advanced biometric verification and fraud prevention to ensure secure and seamless customer registration.
Jordan
Zain Cash sustained strong momentum, leading the Jordanian market with first-of-its-kind features including Apple Pay, virtual cards, inbound remittances, and enhanced security. It enhanced customer experience by ongoing improvements in onboarding, user journeys, and app reliability, making everyday payments simpler, smoother, and more dependable. It grew the ecosystem by expanding partnerships and strengthening SME solutions use cases, touchpoints, and digital payment adoption across consumers and businesses.
Saudi Arabia
Zain Cash sustained strong momentum, leading the Jordanian market with first-of-its-kind features including Apple Pay, virtual cards, inbound remittances, and enhanced security. It enhanced customer experience by ongoing improvements in onboarding, user journeys, and app reliability, making everyday payments simpler, smoother, and more dependable. It grew the ecosystem by expanding partnerships and strengthening SME solutions use cases, touchpoints, and digital payment adoption across consumers and businesses.
Sudan
BEDE in Sudan launched in April 2025, offering wallet services supporting USSD and mobile apps such as money in, money out, payment, and local transfer, with more services being introduced gradually.
South Sudan
BEDE has applied for a Mobile Money license from the country’s National Communication Authority and Central Bank. Looking ahead, BEDE aims to scale further across South Sudan, extending mobile money services to
more communities.
Dizlee API platform offering rich and entertaining digital content
Dizlee is Zain’s API-driven digital monetization platform, designed to enable and scale a wide range of digital services across the Group’s operating companies through a single, unified ecosystem. The platform delivers a comprehensive portfolio that includes digital content and gaming services, Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), messaging solutions, digital authentication, network APIs, and other value-added digital services.
Launched in 2018, Dizlee was created to standardize digital service delivery across Zain markets, while unlocking new monetization opportunities from Zain’s large and premium customer base. Over time, it has evolved into a one-stop platform that connects operators, partners, and service providers, enabling faster go-to-market and consistent service deployment at scale.
During 2025, Dizlee demonstrated strong operational and financial performance. The DCB business continued its solid growth trajectory, with 289 live services across 58 active partners, reflecting strong partner confidence and increasing market adoption.
Overall, Dizlee recorded a 51% YoY revenue growth, underlining the effectiveness of its platform strategy and execution. This performance provides a strong foundation to support the platform’s upcoming strategic initiatives and long-term growth objectives.
Dizlee diversified its revenue streams in 2025 by introducing platform fees for partners, alongside the launch of Network API monetization and Digital Advertising services. These initiatives mark a key shift towards a more sustainable and scalable revenue model beyond traditional digital
content services.
Additionally, Dizlee expanded its Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) offerings, with services now live in Kuwait and clear potential for further rollout in other Zain markets. This expansion positions Dizlee as a core enabler of enterprise and digital communication use cases within the Group.
On the Network API front, Dizlee has been working closely with Aduna, the global aggregator of standardized network APIs, to commercialize Zain’s Network APIs across multiple geographies and partner ecosystems. In parallel, through collaboration with several partners, Dizlee has begun deploying CAMARA-based APIs with Zain Kuwait, making Zain one of the early adopters of CAMARA-compliant APIs. Initial services include SIM Swap, KYC Match, Subscriber Number Authentication (SNA), and Number Verification, laying the groundwork for advanced digital security and identity use cases.
Through these strategic initiatives and strong partner collaborations, Dizlee continues to strengthen its position as a key digital growth engine for Zain Group, driving diversified, scalable, and sustainable revenue growth across markets.
Zain Esports strengthening its connection with youth
Throughout 2025, Zain esports consolidated its journey with gaming communities through a series of activations across the region, undertaking 64 tournaments and activations with Zain operations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq. The year saw over 84,000 registrants and attendees across all activations and tournaments. Since inception in 2021, Zain Esports has attracted over 234,000 participants and garnered over 550 million social media impressions regionally.
Further strengthening its connection with the youth, Zain Esports expanded its reach through meaningful partnerships with local universities across the region. By collaborating with academic institutions, Zain Esports is creating opportunities for students to explore the world of competitive gaming, digital entertainment, and esports management. These partnerships aim to foster a new generation of gamers, creators, and industry professionals by integrating esports into campus life through tournaments, workshops, and educational initiatives. This approach not only nurtures young talent but also bridges the gap between education and the growing esports industry, empowering students to transform their passion for gaming into real-world skills and career opportunities. Through these efforts, Zain Esports reaffirms its role as a leader in driving digital innovation and youth engagement in the Middle East.
While Zain Esports focused on regional events, Zain operating companies also carried out local activations and strategic partnerships.
Zain Esports in 2025
84
K
Registrants / Attendees
64
Activations / Tournaments
211
M
Total social media impressions & streame views
203
K
Social media followers
Group-wide
Zain Esports has conducted seven major tournaments, seeing 530+ participants and 12,000+ stream views.
Kuwait
Zain Esports participated in Comfest 2025, one of the country’s biggest gaming and entertainment events, showcasing Duwaween Games, a gaming application with five local card games. Zain Esports activations and Group-wide tournaments were also showcased to the growing local gaming community.
Bahrain
The Zain Esports Lab underwent comprehensive renovation and rebranding to reflect a more modern, streamlined, and professional environment. The facility now includes over 50 spectator seats, 12 high-performance PCs and PS5 consoles. Moreover, Zain Bahrain Esports has partnered with the Bahrain Esports Federation to operate the National Esports Qualifier for the GCC league, FIFA eWorld Cup and the third Asian Youth Games, targeting 15- to 18-year-olds with three games titles: Rocket League, eFootball, and Street Fighter 6. Zain Bahrain sponsored two successful external events and venues, which include Comfest and Bahrain Sports Day. These events saw the complete build up and operation of syndicated esports venues that attracted hundreds of visitors and participants. Finally, Zain Bahrain is in discussions with Bahrain’s second-largest university, Bahrain Polytechnic, to establish a dedicated Zain esports Lab on campus. This lab will serve as a venue for national esports tournaments and events, including the second edition of the University eLeague, as well as hosting educational esports seminars.
Jordan
Zain Esports renewed its agreement with the Jordanian Esports Federation, hosting multiple tournaments and activations within Zain Jordan’s state-of-the-art venue, The Dome. Additionally, Zain signed and partnered with GamerG, an esports platform with over 30,000 players on the platform. In partnership with Jordan University, Zain also opened a gaming hall on campus to promote gaming to a new generation of students. Zain Jordan Esports will offer game design courses and provide a dedicated space for lectures and workshops on game development and esports, as well as allow students to book the center for related activities and events. Finally, Zain Jordan Esports sponsored and powered the electronic West Asian Football Federation (eWAFF) Invitational Championships, featuring 10 participating countries in collaboration with Zain Iraq Esports.
Iraq
Zain Esports achieved remarkable milestones in the industry through a series of prestigious partnerships and sponsorships. The platform also earned an official license from Ubisoft to host the Rainbow Six Siege tournament in Iraq. Zain also secured an official esports partnership with HONOR and Krafton for PUBG MOBILE, including obtaining the official license for Iraq’s largest PUBG MOBILE championship – PMNC Iraq Fall 2025. Zain sponsored the PMNC Iraq 2025 Champions, who went on to represent Iraq in the PUBG MOBILE Super League (PMSL). On another note, Zain Iraq expanded its network of official partners to include DHL, Al Nomoor, Karada Store, and Moonline Travel & Tourism, strengthening its presence across multiple sectors. Finally, Zain Iraq proudly sponsored Iraq’s only representatives at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh for FC25, cementing its role as a driving force in the growth and international recognition of Iraq’s esports community. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Zain Iraq Esports partnered with Visa and Faceit, a local gaming platform, to amplify and elevate the esports community in Iraq.
