Zain Group

Mobile Telecommunications Company K.S.C.P. (doing business as Zain, ) is a Kuwaiti mobile telecommunications company founded in 22 June 1983 in Kuwait as MTC (an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the Mobile Telecommunications Company), and later rebranded as Zain in 2007. Zain has a commercial presence in eight countries across the Middle East with 50.9 million active customers as of 31 December 2025. The Vice Chairman and Group CEO is Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, who was appointed in March 2017.[2][3]

As of 2024, the two major stakeholders are Kuwait Investment Authority with 15.9% and Omantel with 21.9%.[4]

The Zain brand is one of the most recognized telecom brands across the MENA region, with a brand value of US$3.5 billion (2025).[5]

History

It was founded in 22 June 1983 in Kuwait as MTC (an abbreviation for its predecessor's former name, the Mobile Telecommunications Company), and later rebranded as Zain in 2007. Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.

For FY-2025, Zain Group generated consolidated revenue of KD 2.3 billion (USD 7.44 billion), up 14% YoY. Consolidated EBITDA for the period reached KD 780 million (USD 2.54 billion), with EBITDA growth of 11%, reflecting an EBITDA margin of 34%. Consolidated net income reached KD 239 million (USD 777 million), up 103% YoY. Earnings per share amounted to 55 fils (USD 0.18) [6]

Operations

Zain has presence in a number of countries.

Presence in Africa (2005–2010)

From 2005 to 2010, Zain maintained a presence in a number of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to its core market in the MENA region.

Zain entered Africa in May 2005 through the $3.4 billion purchase of Celtel International which had 13 country operations in Africa, serving five million customers at that time. Zain invested heavily across the continent through network upgrades and acquiring two more country licences. By June 2010, Zain had over 40 million customers across the continent, operating in Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

In early 2010, Zain accepted an offer for the sale of all its Africa operations. On 8 June 2010, Zain announced that it had satisfied all required conditions precedent to closing of the sale of 100% of Zain Africa BV to Bharti Airtel Limited for $10.7 billion on an enterprise basis.[8]

Today, Zain operates on the African continent only in Sudan, South Sudan and Morocco.

See also

• Celtel

External links