Prime Highlights
- Al Kharafi called the first-half results a 17-year high in financial performance, citing AI-driven efficiencies and 5G monetization.
- Al Jassim said the board remains focused on sustaining growth while strengthening ESG initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
Key Facts
- Zain Group is a regional telecom company whose net profit rose 73 percent to $717 million in the first half of the year.
- Zain won a 25-year telecom license in Syria through a $747 million bid and plans to launch its brand there in early 2027.
Background
Zain Group has reported a 73 percent jump in net profit for the first half of the year, reaching KD220 million ($717 million), driven largely by gains from strategic investments. The telecom company’s revenue rose 5 percent to KD1.14 billion ($3.68 billion) during the same period.
For the six months ending at the close of June, Zain said its net profit included a $411 million gain from investments made through Zain Ventures. Consolidated EBITDA climbed 6 percent to KD378 million, with a margin of 33 percent. The board approved an exceptional interim dividend of 17 fils per share, payable in the first week of October.
Second-quarter net profit surged 90 percent year-on-year to KD140 million, while revenue grew 5 percent to KD568 million. The quarter’s profit included a $288 million gain from strategic investments.
Zain’s customer base went up 2 percent to 51.9 million, sustained by the network expansion and the rising appetite for 5G services, even though it looks pretty straightforward. Data revenue increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, making up 40 percent of group revenue. Revenue from growth areas including digital services, fintech and technology businesses climbed 36 percent to $479 million.
Board Chair Nour Al Jassim said the company remains focused on sustaining this growth while strengthening engagement with regulators and stakeholders. Chief Executive Bader Al Kharafi attributed the results to AI-driven operational efficiencies, strategic investments and accelerated 5G monetization, describing the period as a 17-year high in financial performance.
Zain also secured a 25-year telecom license in Syria after a $747 million bid for a 75 percent stake in a local telecom entity, with plans to launch its brand there in early 2027.
