Zain Group has announced its new five-year sustainable corporate strategy, ‘4WARD – Progress with Purpose’, marking a bold step in its transformation from a traditional telecommunications company (Telco) into a purpose-driven technology conglomerate (TechCo).
The strategy of Zain Group focuses on four key pillars — continuity, acceleration, collaboration, and digital innovation — to foster value creation and solidify Zain’s position as a regional leader in technology-driven solutions.
Building on Success: From 4SIGHT to 4WARD
Zain, under its previous strategy, 4SIGHT, introduced in 2019, has transitioned into a multi-core digital operator, expanding its portfolio to include ICT, Fintech, digital infrastructure, entertainment, subsea connectivity, and more.
These achievements over the last five years laid a robust foundation for 4WARD, which is designed to further accelerate growth and drive meaningful impact across all business verticals.
The 4WARD Framework: Four Forces Driving Transformation
The strategy comprises four primary forces, each supported by three accelerators, designed to navigate Zain’s evolution from a Telco to a TechCo:
Customer Delight
Focused on exceeding customer expectations by delivering superior connectivity solutions to consumers, businesses, governments, and communities.
Reinforces Zain’s position as the provider of choice for seamless fixed and mobile experiences.
Digital Zain
Expands digital innovation through emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and Fintech.
Enhances digital infrastructure to support future growth.
Purpose and Action
Aligns corporate actions with sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Drives systemic change through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments.
Collaborative Growth
Empowers Zain’s 8,000-strong workforce and fosters partnerships within its ecosystem.
Focuses on unlocking synergies and opportunities across its diverse business entities.
Strategic Vision and Leadership
“4WARD will future-proof Zain while creating shareholder value and providing meaningful contributions to the societies we serve,” Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, said.
Zain’s brand value has surged to over $3 billion, reflecting a 50 percent increase since 2020, as per BrandFinance 2024 rankings. The strategy emphasizes repositioning the Zain brand to reflect its diversified TechCo identity, supported by the success of business ventures such as ZainTECH, Zain Omantel International (ZOI), Zain Cash, TASC Towers, Tamam, and Zain Esports.
The Road Ahead
By embedding innovation and sustainability at its core, Zain’s 4WARD strategy positions the company to drive meaningful change across industries while delivering superior value to its customers, shareholders, and communities. With a clear purpose and actionable framework, Zain is poised to redefine its legacy as a pioneering TechCo conglomerate, providing “Better Lives and Lasting Connections.”
