Driving sustainability across markets

TDT| Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Zain Group has released its 14th annual sustainability report, titled ‘The New Paradigm Shift’, underscoring its commitment to responsible business practices and the future of digital connectivity. The report outlines the company’s focus on climate action, inclusion, and children’s rights, alongside its broader ambition to drive equitable systemic change across the Middle East and Africa.

The new report is aligned with Zain’s refreshed five-year corporate strategy, ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’, which aims to transform the company into a purpose-driven and sustainability-focused technology conglomerate. Zain’s transparency in documenting its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives continues to set a benchmark across the region.

Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group Chief Sustainability Officer, said the company was seizing the era of technological innovation to introduce initiatives with greater societal impact. “What Zain does matters,” Suleiman said, highlighting the company’s efforts to drive resilience through ESG principles, climate action, digital literacy, and meaningful connectivity.

Key Sustainability

Achievements Across its markets, Zain has prioritised decarbonisation, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. The company received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its net-zero targets, developed country-specific water management plans, and achieved a 5.89 percent reduction in water usage compared to 2023.

Zain also advanced its ‘Operate Responsibly’ pillar by training 185 suppliers in human rights and anti-corruption practices, engaging over 600 suppliers through self-assessments to ensure adherence to sustainability standards. The company created approximately 114,000 job opportunities across its value chain during 2024.

Under its Inclusion initiatives, Zain’s Women in Tech programme expanded to six countries, enrolling 485 young women, reflecting a 16 percent increase from the previous year. Specialised service bundles were introduced for people with disabilities in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, while Zain’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity University continued offering advanced digital transformation programmes in partnership with IE University in Spain.

Championing children’s rights, Zain scored significantly above industry averages in a global benchmarking assessment. Its #EveryChildHasRights campaign, launched in response to rising violence affecting children in conflict zones, reached 16.5 million impressions during 2024. Zain also strengthened partnerships with Child Helpline International, while campaigns on excessive screen time recorded 43.9 million impressions and shifted behaviours among families across its footprint.

Zain’s new strategy focuses on continuity, innovation, collaboration, and value creation, ensuring that its sustainability efforts evolve with the changing needs of the region. The Group’s ongoing transformation aims to solidify its place as a regional technology leader with a profound commitment to social and environmental impact.