• Noor Al-Jassem: The Board of Directors prioritizes strengthening partnerships and achieving sustainable value for shareholders.
• Bader Al-Kharafi: Strategic investments in new growth sectors have become key growth engines
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 6% to reach $594 million.
• The customer base increased to 51.2 million customers, and data services revenue grew by 18% to reach $751 million.
• Exceptional growth in new growth sectors (16%)... Quarterly revenues reach $227 million
• Zain-Omantel International ( ZOI ) grows its quarterly revenues by 16%
• ZainTECH revenues grow by 7%... and the momentum of its projects contributes to a 9% growth in B2B revenues for the group's operations.
• Zain continues its growth in financial technology and records revenue growth of 28%
• Zain Ventures, the investment arm, achieved strategic gains of $123 million during the first quarter.
• The partnership between Zain, Ooredoo and TASC is steadily progressing towards establishing the largest telecommunications tower company in the region.
• Zain Kuwait boosts growth in data services thanks to the strong performance of its GA5 network.
• Strong quarterly revenue growth for Zain Sudan, Iraq, and Jordan... and a jump in net profits for Zain Saudi Arabia
• Zain improves its ranking in global ESG indices, exceeding the global average standards for the telecommunications sector.
• Zain is the most valuable brand in the Kuwaiti private sector, with a value exceeding $ 4 billion and a growth of 16%.

Kuwait – Zain Group’s quarterly financial results (listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange under the symbol: ZAIN ) showed a remarkable continuation of the growth rate, as net profits jumped by 51% to reach approximately 80 million Kuwaiti dinars ($260 million), the highest in the last 15 years, compared to the same period of the previous year, while earnings per share reached 18 fils .

Zain recorded a 6% growth in its consolidated revenues to reach 569 million Kuwaiti dinars ($1.86 billion), and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 6% to reach 182 million Kuwaiti dinars ($594 million), with the EBITDA margin remaining stable at 32%.

Zain, a leader in technological innovation in the Middle East and Africa markets, reported that data service revenues jumped by 18% to reach $751 million, compared to the same period last year, representing 40% of total consolidated revenues, and the customer base increased by 1% to reach approximately 51.2 million customers, compared to the same period in 2025.

Zain Group Chairperson Noor Al-Jassem said, "I express my deep appreciation for the efforts made by the previous Board of Directors, which contributed to consolidating the Group's position and strengthening its strategic plans. We look forward to enhancing these efforts and achieving sustainable value for shareholders."

Zain Group Vice Chairman and CEO Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi said, “Despite the ongoing regional challenges that have recently escalated with renewed geopolitical tensions, Zain Group succeeded in achieving exceptional performance during the first quarter of 2026, as the telecommunications and technological innovation sector proved to be one of the most strategically important sectors, with the Group recording strong growth supported by increased demand for data services and digital solutions.”

Al-Kharafi, who welcomed the new board of directors headed by Ms. Noor Al-Jassem, stated, "The demand for digital services and data continues to increase even in times of uncertainty, as communications and digital infrastructure have become essential pillars for the continuity of businesses and societies in the face of these challenges."

He added, "The strong performance of the Group's quarterly financial results demonstrated a clear shift in operational strategy towards a more diversified and resilient revenue base in the face of fluctuating market behaviors and trends, and the ability to reshape the revenue structure to support continuity and growth, and maintain operational efficiency despite the competitive environment and varying regional challenges."

He continued, "The group recorded strong growth in net profit of 51% to reach approximately $260 million, the highest level of net profit in the last 15 years, and consolidated revenues increased by 6% to reach 569 million Kuwaiti dinars ($1.86 billion)," explaining that the strong financial performance was driven by the continued recovery in the course of Zain Sudan's operations, and the strong performance of the main operational activities in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, based on the strength of the networks, the expansion of the customer base, and the improvement in revenues.

He explained that strategic investments in new growth sectors have contributed rapidly to reshaping the revenue structure, as they have transformed from supporting channels to main growth engines. International communications and cable activities, the enterprise and business sector, cloud and cybersecurity, along with financial technology services, recorded a remarkable leap, achieving combined revenues of $227 million, representing about 12% of total combined revenues, with an exceptional growth rate of 16%.

He continued, "This momentum was spearheaded by the strong performance of Zain Omantel International (ZOI) , which achieved record revenue growth of 16%, along with a significant increase in revenue for ZainTECH of 7% during the first quarter." He explained that this period also witnessed progress on the partnership between Zain, Ooredoo Group, and TASC – to establish the largest tower management company in the region – after obtaining regulatory approvals in Qatar. He indicated that the teams involved in the necessary preparatory work are continuing their work to complete the first telecommunications tower deal in this partnership, and it is expected to close during the first half of 2026.

Regarding the activity of the new operating entities recently established by the group, he indicated that Zain Ventures has established its position as a long-term-oriented investment arm, through building a selective portfolio that extends regionally and globally, based on precise criteria in selecting opportunities with high growth potential and value. The company achieved strategic gains of $123 million during the first quarter.

In parallel, Zain Group continues its activity in the field of financial technology as an engine of accelerated growth, benefiting from the spread of its diverse geographical operations and integrated digital services, as the group’s digital financial services platforms recorded revenue growth of 28%.

Al-Kharafi explained that the work teams in Zain’s various markets during the past period embodied an institutional culture based on commitment and high readiness, especially during the recent crises, as these teams succeeded in maintaining the continuity of services and communication without interruption, which enabled communities to continue their work and vital services in exceptional circumstances.

It is worth noting that this strong operational performance of Zain’s operations was supported by improved network efficiency, disciplined cost management, and growing business effectiveness. The group’s initiatives also contributed to analyzing customer trends and behavior, and enhancing customer experience through innovative AI-powered solutions.

It is worth noting that the Zain brand has strengthened its leading position in the Kuwaiti market after topping the list of the strongest brands in the private sector in Kuwait during 2026, according to the Brand Finance Kuwait 10 report recently issued by the global Brand Finance institution, which specializes in evaluating brands at the level of global markets.

According to the report, Zain achieved the highest Brand Strength Index (BSI) in Kuwait, scoring 91 out of 100 points, the highest rating given to any brand in the local market. This reflects the high level of trust the brand enjoys among consumers and its ability to achieve a balanced performance that combines financial growth, innovation, and sustainability. The report ranked the Zain brand as the most valuable in the Kuwaiti private sector, with a value of $ 4 billion, after achieving annual growth of 16% , making it one of the most prominent drivers of growth in the telecommunications sector and the digital economy in the region.

Zain Group has recently strengthened its position in sustainability by issuing its annual report entitled "Firmly Committed to Building a Sustainable Future," which represents a significant step forward in clarifying how to integrate financial strategy with creating long-term value for stakeholders.

Sustainability is a cornerstone of Zain’s corporate identity and a key focus of its strategy. Zain has made tangible progress in its performance within the Environmental, Governance and Social Responsibility (ESG) indicators, most notably improving its rating in the MSCI ESG Index from BBB to A , in addition to exceeding the global average for the telecommunications sector in both the S&P Global ESG Index and the FTSE4Good Index.

The group leads the inclusion, diversity and equity (IDE) initiatives through programs that focus on empowering women, youth and people with disabilities, in addition to promoting mental health in the workplace, and investing in learning and qualification programs related to digital transformation. Zain also supports the innovation ecosystem and business accelerators, through expanding the Zain Great Idea (ZGI) business acceleration program at the regional level, in a step that reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem and developing digital solutions with a sustainable economic and social impact.

ZOI

Zain Omantel International (ZOI) – the international hub for international telecommunications, wholesale and cable services – continued to successfully implement its strategic plans, expanding its business and strengthening its regional wholesale platform, which contributed to traffic growth, with strong expansion in IP services and capacity, reflecting the increasing importance of flexible and high-performance connectivity in the region.

This increased demand translated into growth in financial results, with the company achieving quarterly revenues of $134 million during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 16%.

ZainTECH

ZainTECH, the group’s integrated digital solutions arm in the region’s markets, continues to play an increasingly pivotal role in driving business growth. During the first quarter, ZainTECH’s revenues grew by 7%, reaching $48.5 million. This growth contributed to driving the growth of the enterprise and business sector’s revenues by 9% at the group level .

Business momentum continued to build during this period, supported by increasing demand for cloud services, cybersecurity, AI-powered managed services, and agile business solutions. ZainTECH continued to enhance its delivery model and technological capabilities, reinforcing its role as a key growth driver within the Group’s digital transformation agenda .

Fintech

Zain’s fintech business continues its expansion – led by the brands ( Bede - Zain Cash Tamam ) in the markets of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, and Sudan – achieving healthy growth in revenues and customer numbers, as Zain’s operations in this sector recorded revenue growth of 28 % during the first quarter.

Zain Kuwait

Zain Kuwait’s operations continued to maintain its leading position. The customer base remained stable at 2.6 million customers, while revenues for the first quarter amounted to KD 92 million ($301 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased to KD 31.4 million ($103 million), with an EBITDA margin of 34%. Net profit amounted to KD 16 million ($53 million). Data revenues continued to be a key driver of growth, increasing by 8% to reach $116 million, representing 40% of total revenues .

Broadband and digital channels continued to perform well, while on the technical front, Zain Kuwait continued to enhance its leadership in network operational efficiency, with notable progress in deploying 5G Advanced technologies, improved network resilience, and further enhancement of digital enablement.

Zain Saudi Arabia

Zain Saudi Arabia's operations recorded strong performance during the first quarter, with revenues reaching $708 million and EBITDA of $214 million, representing an EBITDA margin of 30%. Net profit jumped 116% to $54 million, driven by higher income from the Universal Service Fund (USF) . Data revenues grew by 8% to $304 million, representing 43% of total revenues, while the number of active customers reached 8.3 million. For more information on Zain Saudi Arabia's quarterly financial results, please refer to [link/reference to Zain Saudi Arabia's financial results].

On the business front, Zain Saudi Arabia continued to build momentum across the consumer, corporate, and wholesale sectors, and made further progress in digital activities such as Yaqoot and Tamam . On the technological front, the company’s operations continued to strengthen its leadership in infrastructure, through the ongoing expansion of the 5G network, continued investments in digital platforms, data capabilities, and AI-driven transformation .

Zain Iraq

Zain Iraq continued to build on its growth momentum, with revenues rising 14% to $325 million, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 5% to $110 million, and net profit rose 12% to $29 million.

The company continued to maintain its leadership in the Iraqi market with its customer base reaching 20.7 million customers, supported by the strong implementation of the business strategy, continued network expansion, and the strong contribution from Horizon and Next Generation , despite the current economic challenges .

Zain Sudan

Zain Sudan delivered a strong performance during the first quarter, despite the continued challenges of the complex operating environment. The number of customers increased by 13% to reach 12.4 million customers, while revenues grew by 34% to reach $157 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 35% to reach $90 million. Data revenues remain a key driver of growth, as they increased by 70% to reach $58 million, constituting 37% of total revenues .

The company’s operations continued to rebuild momentum, with growth in data, interconnection, financial technology via the Bede platform, and digital services. Zain Sudan also continued network recovery and infrastructure expansion, including additional recovery sites, new sites, fiber deployment, and improvements to wholesale services .

Zain Jordan

Zain Jordan’s quarterly revenues rose by 5% to $148 million, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 4% to $57 million, with an EBITDA margin of 38%, and quarterly net profit rose by 1% to $19 million .

This performance was supported by growth in individual services, mobile service revenues, the corporate sector, and the continued expansion of the FTTH fiber network in key areas. On the technical front, operations enhanced network resilience, advancing digital and artificial intelligence initiatives, and continued to implement the deployment of the 5G network, with strong growth in data traffic volume.

Zain Bahrain

Zain Bahrain's operations maintained the stability of its core business, while its corporate, fiber, and customer experience initiatives continued to progress. Zain Bahrain recorded quarterly revenues of $56 million, with data revenues growing by 4% to account for 45% of total revenues. EBITDA reached $14.5 million, with an EBITDA margin of 26%, and the company recorded net income of $3.1 million, a 1% increase . For more information on Zain Bahrain's quarterly financial results, please see [link/reference to Zain Bahrain's financial results].

-I finish-

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