Zain Group reported strong growth in the first half of 2026 as investments in 5G, 5G-Advanced, AI, fiber broadband, cybersecurity, digital services and enterprise solutions strengthened the telecom operator’s performance across the Middle East and Africa.
The telecom and technology group generated KD 1.14 billion ($3.71 billion) in H1 2026 revenue, up 5 percent. Customer base of Zain increased 2 percent to 51.9 million. Growth was supported by network expansion and rising adoption of 5G services across four markets.
EBITDA increased 6 percent to KD 378 million ($1.23 billion), with an EBITDA margin of 33 percent. Net income surged 73 percent to KD 220 million ($717 million), including a $411 million gain from strategic investments undertaken by Zain Ventures.
H1 2026 earnings per share stood at 51 fils ($0.17).
The performance highlights Zain’s accelerating transformation from a traditional telecom operator into a technology-focused business spanning connectivity, cloud and digital services, enterprise ICT, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Zain Q2 Revenue Rises 5% to $1.85 Billion
Zain maintained its growth momentum during Q2 2026.
Quarterly revenue increased 5 percent to KD 568 million ($1.85 billion). EBITDA reached KD 196 million ($639 million), delivering an EBITDA margin of 35 percent.
Net income soared 90 percent to KD 140 million ($457 million), including a $288 million gain from Zain Ventures’ strategic investments.
Beyond the investment gains, Zain’s operating businesses benefited from expanding data consumption, broadband adoption, 5G deployment, B2B demand and digital services across several key markets.
Zain Kuwait Deploys More Than 500 5G-Advanced Sites
Kuwait remains Zain Group’s flagship and most profitable operation, serving 2.6 million customers.
Zain Kuwait generated KD 90 million ($294 million) in revenue.
A major technology highlight was the addition of more than 500 5G-Advanced sites, strengthening Zain Kuwait’s next-generation mobile infrastructure.
Data revenue increased 8 percent and represented 41 percent of total revenue in H1 2026.
Broadband growth, stronger prepaid monetization and B2B enterprise momentum supported the business, partially offset by lower device sales and roaming activations.
The deployment of more than 500 5G-Advanced sites is particularly significant as telecom operators across the Middle East increasingly look beyond basic 5G coverage toward advanced network capabilities capable of supporting enterprise applications and data-intensive digital services.
Zain Saudi Arabia Subscribers Jump 8% to 8.9 Million
Saudi Arabia delivered one of Zain Group’s strongest performances.
Zain KSA’s customer base increased 8 percent year-on-year to 8.9 million, while revenue reached $707 million.
Data revenue increased 6 percent and represented 42 percent of total H1 2026 revenue.
Technology investment is becoming increasingly important to Zain KSA’s growth strategy. The operator launched an AI Center of Excellence and Smart Hajj platform, while expanding cybersecurity capabilities and strategic partnerships.
Digital and B2B services, supported by Zain KSA’s 5G-Advanced network, are helping diversify the company’s revenue base beyond traditional mobile connectivity.
Zain Iraq Revenue Climbs 10% to $660 Million
Iraq remains Zain’s largest market by customer numbers, with 20.4 million customers.
Zain Iraq generated $334 million in Q2 2026 revenue, up 7 percent year-on-year. H1 revenue increased 10 percent to $660 million.
The performance was supported by continued network deployment, commercial execution and contributions from subsidiaries Horizon and NextGen despite regional instability and difficult macroeconomic conditions.
Zain Sudan Data Revenue Surges 38%
Sudan produced one of the strongest data growth rates within Zain Group despite severe currency pressure and a complex operating environment.
Zain Sudan’s customer base increased 9 percent year-on-year to 12.9 million.
Q2 revenue fell 7 percent to $126 million.
However, demand for connectivity remained strong. Data revenue surged 38 percent and accounted for 37 percent of total H1 revenue.
Zain Jordan 5G and FTTH Push Data Revenue Up 11%
Zain Jordan’s investment in 5G and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure is translating into higher data revenue.
Revenue increased 4 percent year-on-year to $154 million in Q2.
Expansion of 5G and FTTH across city centers, commercial zones and other strategic locations helped data revenue increase 11 percent.
Data represented 57 percent of Zain Jordan’s total H1 2026 revenue, making Jordan the highest among the reported Zain operations in terms of data revenue contribution.
Zain Bahrain 5G Drives Enterprise Business
Zain Bahrain generated $52 million in Q2 revenue.
Zain Bahrain’s 5G network supported growth in enterprise revenue, while data revenue increased 3 percent.
Data represented 47 percent of total H1 2026 revenue, demonstrating the growing importance of mobile data and digital connectivity to the Bahrain operation.
Data Revenue Becomes Critical Growth Engine for Zain
One of the most important trends emerging from Zain’s H1 2026 results is the growing contribution of data revenue.
Data represented 57 percent of total revenue in Jordan, 47 percent in Bahrain, 42 percent in Saudi Arabia, 41 percent in Kuwait and 37 percent in Sudan.
Growth in data revenue reached 38 percent in Sudan, 11 percent in Jordan, 8 percent in Kuwait, 6 percent in Saudi Arabia and 3 percent in Bahrain.
These figures underline how smartphone usage, 5G adoption, fiber broadband and growing demand for digital services are changing Zain’s revenue mix.
Zain Bets on 5G-Advanced, AI, Cybersecurity and B2B Growth
Zain’s 2026 performance also points to a broader strategic shift taking place across the telecom industry.
Traditional connectivity remains the foundation of the business, but Zain is increasingly building growth around 5G-Advanced, AI, cybersecurity, enterprise ICT, digital platforms, broadband and FTTH.
Kuwait has already added more than 500 5G-Advanced sites, while Saudi Arabia is combining its 5G-Advanced network with an AI Center of Excellence, Smart Hajj platform, cybersecurity offerings and B2B services. Jordan is simultaneously expanding 5G and FTTH infrastructure.
With 51.9 million customers, $3.71 billion in H1 revenue and $1.23 billion in EBITDA, Zain’s results demonstrate how network investment and digital diversification are becoming central to its growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa.
For telecom industry decision-makers, the bigger story behind Zain’s H1 2026 numbers is therefore not simply revenue growth. It is the increasing monetization of 5G, data, broadband, AI, cybersecurity and enterprise services as Zain positions itself as a TechCo rather than a conventional mobile operator.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH