How is Zain taking advantage of Kuwait’s digital transformation opportunities?

Zain has been focusing on transforming into a comprehensive digital service provider, and this strategy has yielded positive results. The company has been at the forefront of introducing the latest advanced technologies to the Kuwaiti market. To ensure the survival of the information communications technology (ICT) industry, Zain believes that telecom companies and other key players in the sector must undergo digital transformation themselves and empower other organizations in the market. Zain aims to be a digital partner for all industries in the region’s economy, particularly in the oil and gas sector, by investing heavily in technologies such as 5G, drones, digital applications, and managed cloud services.

What are the key digital tools that oil and gas companies can benefit from?

Digital transformation in the oil and gas industry involves migrating infrastructure to a more agile cloud-based system, with 5G technology playing a crucial role. Zain has already tested 5G network-slicing with the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), offering guaranteed bandwidth through a public network. Cloud solutions are also essential, and Zain has established strategic partnerships with leading cloud providers like Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, and Oracle. Alongside cloud tools, Zain offers connectivity services and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, data insights, and continuous improvement through use cases.

How receptive are oil and gas industries to the digital transformation of their operations?

While Zain is the top digital service provider to major organizations in the market, the oil and gas sector still sees telecom companies as outsiders. To gain their trust and become part of their digital success story, Zain aims to showcase successful use cases and demonstrate the value it can add to their operations. One avenue for this is Zain Drones, the company’s UAV division, which offers technological solutions to the energy sector. By providing expert drone services for pipeline inspections and collaborating with satellite providers for offshore operations, Zain aims to contribute to the industry’s digital transformation.

What are the main growth opportunities for Zain in the coming years?

Zain sees significant growth opportunities in the oil and gas upstream sector due to increased drilling operations and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s (KPC) drive for higher production. Additionally, Zain identifies potential in the digitalization processes of manufacturing industries that seek to make faster and more relevant decisions. The company’s priority is to sell the use case of 5G, particularly in the lucrative Kuwaiti oil and gas market, where Zain aims to be the main business enabler. By strengthening its position as a regional digital service provider and leader, Zain strives to contribute to Kuwait’s Vision 2035 and invest in building capacity to help achieve its goals.