{"id":17151,"date":"2024-03-31T09:35:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-31T09:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zain.com\/SR2023\/?page_id=17151"},"modified":"2024-04-22T07:46:30","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T07:46:30","slug":"08-4sight-strategy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/zain.com\/SR2023\/08-4sight-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"08 4Sight Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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08<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4Sight Strategy<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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4Sight: Creating our Sustainable and Digital Future<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The driving force for Zain is its unwavering commitment to creating value for all stakeholders. The 4Sight strategy emerged from the company\u2019s desire to push forward the evolution of digital ecosystems across its footprint, enabling growth and development as well as the establishment of carefully curated growth verticals. In its fifth year, Zain\u2019s 4Sight corporate strategy has seen the transformation of the company into a multi-faceted provider of digital services for consumers, governments, and businesses under the clear direction and guidance of Zain\u2019s leadership. \n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The following is a brief description of the achievements under each pillar of the strategy. <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Evolution of Telco<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Digital Transformation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Guiding and driving the implementation of the Digital Transformation that would permit Zain to not only survive but rather thrive in the Digital Age, Zain has adopted a best-practice-inspired framework for transformation. This is centered on implementing a true customer mindset that drives the development of Products and Services demanded by customers, and investment in technologies that further this cause. <\/p>

This is supported by a strategic approach to upskilling and hiring of talent and the utilization of Data and Analytics for tactical and strategic decision-making. <\/p>

A communications strategy has been implemented to get all stakeholder buy-in to assure the true adoption of Zain\u2019s transformation internally and externally.<\/p>

In 2023, Zain Group intensified its focus on its regional role to develop and support digital transformations by offering state-of-the-art and upcoming technologies such as connected vehicles and modern industry, as well as further organizing its Data Governance and Management guidelines across a number of its subsidiaries.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Enterprise and Government\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zain is committed to working closely with organizations and governments to provide connectivity and the latest solutions to support growth and efficiency. To design and implement state-of-the-art tailor-made solutions for public and private organizations, Zain\u2019s B2B teams work closely with ZainTECH, Zain\u2019s integral digital solutions provider, to drive market development and cross-sell advanced ICT services to differentiate Zain in the regional enterprise market. Zain supports smaller businesses by granting access to a wide range of cloud products and services spanning cloud, cybersecurity, data services, Ai, drones and robotics.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Fixed Connectivity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zain firmly believes that high quality and secure broadband connectivity will enable and accelerate the evolution of information, education, and the digital transformation of societies. Across its footprint, the company strives to provide reliable fixed connectivity to residential and business customers whether through its own deployment of fiber networks or by strategically partnering with third-party providers. This commitment transcends market limitations, where Zain uses fixed-like technologies to fulfill customer needs. Across its markets, customers benefit from the latest broadband connectivity delivered by the company, including 5G, 4G, and FTTH.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Portfolio Optimization<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zain continues to allocate resources efficiently and sustainably. Following the earlier sales of its tower networks in Kuwait and Jordan, in January 2023, Zain Saudi Arabia (KSA) completed the sale and leaseback of its 8,069 tower assets (passive physical infrastructure) to the Kingdom\u2019s Public Investment Fund (PIF).<\/p>

In January 2023, Zain Iraq entered a 15-year deal to sell and leaseback and permit management rights of its passive physical infrastructure of 4,968 towers to TASC Towers Iraq.<\/p>

It should be noted that all Zain operations will retain their active infrastructure, including wireless communication radios, antennas, intelligent software, transmission systems, and intellectual property. These transactions will enhance operational efficiencies and empower Zain operations with greater flexibility to invest in network upgrades and cutting-edge ICT technologies to meet the ever-increasing demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity. The establishment of a special purpose tower company drives the improvement of passive assets and enhances power infrastructure through modernization and investment in alternative power solutions such as solar and wind power production, which significantly reduce carbon emissions.<\/p>

Reflecting Zain\u2019s commitment to transforming the business, in a groundbreaking move, both Zain Group and Omantel announced the launch of Zain Omantel International (ZOI), an unprecedented joint venture that will revolutionize the wholesale telecommunications sector. ZOI will create synergies by optimizing the existing wholesale businesses of both companies by reducing operating costs and increasing competitiveness through access to state-of-the-art low-latency and high-capacity services over its extended footprint. Combining the strengths of Zain and Omantel positions ZOI as uniquely positioned to evolve into a key player on the international wholesale telecom scene.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Growth Verticals<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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ICT <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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ZainTECH, Zain\u2019s ICT arm, boasts an innovative portfolio of solutions spanning cloud, cybersecurity, data services, AI, drones and robotics. In May 2023, ZainTECH bolstered its cloud positioning by acquiring Adfolks, a UAE-based cloud-native engineering firm that provides a comprehensive range of cloud transformation solutions. In October 2023, ZainTECH entered into an agreement for the complete acquisition of Specialized Technical Services Company (STS), one of the largest digital transformation solutions providers in the region, headquartered in Jordan with operations in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Both these deals follow ZainTECH\u2019s acquisition of BIOS Middle East, a leading provider of Managed Private Cloud Services in the region announced in October 2022 and completed in February 2023. <\/p>

Additionally, ZainTECH leverages Zain\u2019s footprint and global reach, its vast technological capabilities, and competitive lower upfront capital pricing strategy to offer clients solutions that accelerate digital transformation journeys.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Digital Infrastructure\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zain continues to partner with TASC Towers Holding, which is a significant part of building its digital infrastructure core, with the aim of unlocking further shareholder value and optimization of infrastructure assets. Zain successfully divested two major portfolios in Jordan and Iraq in the past two years, with TASC becoming a fully operational independent towerco in these two countries. The further expansion of the TASC footprint and the imminent partnership with other MNOs will lead to portfolio densification as well as possible consolidation of redundant sites.<\/p>

Furthermore, TASC plans to invest a significant amount of its revenues over the next five years on various network modernization initiatives including investment in new battery technologies and modern power generation solutions. Additionally, in the past 12 months, TASC has conducted extensive analysis into different alternative energy solutions including hybrid power systems capitalizing on new battery technologies and solar systems. TASC deployed multiple proof of concepts in various regions. Initial results indicate that there is potential for wide deployment of these solutions, which will result in significant operational efficiencies and a reduction in carbon emissions.<\/p>

In December 2023, Zain solidified its position as the regional leader in the tower arena, with a pioneering agreement with Qatar\u2019s Ooredoo Group and TASC Towers, that aims to incorporate nearly 30,000 towers across six countries, combining the service providers\u2019 respective passive infrastructure portfolios. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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FinTech \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In 2023, Zain scaled its FinTech stream by introducing a suite of digital \ufb01nancial services, contributing to the evolution of the region\u2019s digital ecosystem. Leveraging the innovative products and services developed by FOO, a subsidiary of Zain Group and specialized in the FinTech development sector, Zain is keen to foster innovations within the FinTech space through Tamam in Saudi Arabia, Zain Cash in Iraq and Jordan, and soon in Bahrain, Sudan, and Kuwait.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Bahrain<\/h4>
  1. Acquired a FinTech license from the Central Bank of Bahrain. <\/li>
  2. Tech implementation with partner bank in progress. <\/li>
  3. Expected commercial launch of FinTech services in early 2024.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Iraq<\/h4>
    1. Zain Cash Iraq continued to be the market leader providing financial services to the unbanked in Iraq and a total of 628K registered wallets.<\/li>
    2. Staff increased, with 40% female employees, most of them in leading positions.<\/li>
    3. Micro-finance loans to be launched in 2024.<\/li>
    4. Virtual credit cards that allow people to shop online without the need for a bank account.<\/li>
    5. 3D face ID authentication for money transfer for more security.<\/li>
    6. Selected as Top Fintech Company by Forbes Magazine.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      Jordan<\/h4>

      1. Zain Cash Jordan continued to be market leader with 675K registered wallets.<\/p><\/li>

      2. Elevating the customer experience with focus on delivering differentiated digital self-services.\u00a0<\/p><\/li>

      3. Incorporating valuable additional features to include cashback concept tailored to high value customers.<\/p><\/li>

      4. Unlocking new possibilities for corporate and small, medium enterprises (SMEs).<\/p><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Kuwait<\/h4>
        1. Zain acquired Bookeey to offer advanced, creative offerings through strategic partnerships with banks and Zain Kuwait, fostering innovation. <\/li>
        2. Addressing the payment acceptance challenges faced by SMEs in Kuwait, ensuring their financial needs are met. <\/li>
        3. Expanding Bookeey\u2019s product and service portfolio to cater to a wider audience, enhancing financial solutions for a variety of end users. <\/li>
        4. Strengthening collaborations with partner banks and Zain Kuwait to drive the development of cutting-edge financial solutions. <\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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          Saudi Arabia<\/h4>

          1. Tamam provides Murabaha financing for customers within minutes.<\/p><\/li>

          2. One of the fastest growing FinTech companies in the region.<\/p><\/li>

          3. Launched \u2018buy now pay later\u2019 services with Zain KSA and Yaqoot.<\/p><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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            Sudan<\/h4>
            1. A FinTech company has been registered as per regulatory requirements. <\/li>
            2. Approval received from Central Bank of Sudan to launch FinTech services. <\/li>
            3. Working on restoring servers and amending apps after the failure of the national switch system. <\/li>
            4. Expected commercial launch of FinTech services in Q2 2024.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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              South Sudan<\/h4>
              1. Enhanced the partnership agreement with m-Gurush to collaborate in providing innovative financial products and services to Zain customers.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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                Zain Ventures\u202f<\/h3>

                Zain Ventures spearheads Zain\u2019s investment portfolio, with the aim to diversify the company\u2019s reach and leveraging future investment opportunities. Zain expanded its relationship with regional and international venture capital funds and continued to diversify its portfolio through direct investments offering them access to Zain\u2019s wide geographical reach and expansive customer base.\u202f<\/p>

                During 2023, Zain Ventures\u2019 portfolio included:\u202f\u202f<\/strong><\/p>