Zain Group and Ooredoo Group have completed the first closing of their telecom tower transaction, combining 4,000 towers in Kuwait and Qatar under a jointly owned infrastructure platform.
The transaction, announced on October 22, 2026, brings together the tower portfolios of Zain Kuwait (ITK) and Ooredoo Qatar (Al Abraj).
Both telecom operators hold 50 percent ownership each in the regional tower platform, which aims to improve capital efficiency, optimize infrastructure utilization and support digital infrastructure expansion across the Middle East.
Zain-Ooredoo Tower Deal: Key Figures
| Parameter | Details |
| Initial tower portfolio | Approximately 4,000 towers |
| Zain ownership | 50% |
| Ooredoo ownership | 50% |
| Initial markets | Kuwait and Qatar |
| Tower portfolios | ITK and Al Abraj |
| Business model | Infrastructure-as-a-Service |
| Transaction value | Not disclosed |
Tower Sharing to Reduce Telecom Capital Expenditure
The new platform will focus on passive telecommunications infrastructure, allowing Zain and Ooredoo to improve operational efficiency and reduce duplication of infrastructure investments.
Through an Infrastructure-as-a-Service model, the platform could enable telecom operators to access shared tower infrastructure rather than independently developing new sites.
This approach can support 5G network expansion while reducing the capital requirements associated with network infrastructure deployment.
Zain and Ooredoo will retain their respective active telecommunications infrastructure, including network technology, software and intellectual property required to operate their mobile networks.
Regional Tower Expansion Strategy
Zain and Ooredoo plan to integrate additional tower portfolios into the platform, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
The companies have not disclosed the transaction valuation, anticipated cost savings, expected infrastructure revenue or the number of towers planned for subsequent integration.
Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, said the platform would help unlock value from infrastructure assets while supporting the reduction of the region’s carbon footprint.
Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo said the transaction advances the company’s strategy to build a leading regional digital infrastructure portfolio.
Focus on Capital Efficiency and Sustainability
The joint venture is designed to create economies of scale through centralized management of passive telecom infrastructure.
Infrastructure sharing could also reduce duplicate tower construction, optimize energy consumption and lower network operating costs.
The initiative aligns with the broader telecom infrastructure sharing strategy adopted by mobile operators seeking to balance 5G investment, network expansion and profitability.
The initial 4,000-tower portfolio establishes the foundation for a larger regional infrastructure business, with future growth dependent on additional asset contributions and regulatory approvals.