A leading regional TechCo – Zain Group, has been granted a 25-year license – 20 years plus an extendable 5 years to operate mobile telecom network in Syria.
This milestone comes after a stringent and extremely competitive tender process for the current MTN network, which was overseen by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology – MCOT of the country and included meticulous technical and financial assessments, and in which Zain won the contract with the most competitive and fully compliant bid submitted for a total amount of USD 747 million.
Zain will create a new operational entity in Syria in which the group will own 75% and a Syrian government entity will own 25%. The Zain Syria brand is scheduled for commercial launch in Q1 2027, contingent upon the fulfillment of all legal and license requirements.
The Zain team is going to closely work together with the Syrian MCOT and the MTN team in order to support the enhancement and consistency of services to the existing 6.3 million customer base throughout a 6-month transition handover time frame.
The license to operate mobile telecom network in Syria marks the entry of Zain as the second operator in one of the most promising markets of the Levant, supported by a young demographic and growing demand for superior mobile and data services for individuals and companies considering the improving economic and social scenarios.
As part of the award, the Zain Syria entity will allocate more than USD 800 million to broaden and modernize the system with a 5G network and additional AI-powered digital technologies in the next 10 years. The financial resources resulting from the Syrian operation will contribute to this. The technical, investment, and operational expertise of the Zain Group will support efficient allocation of capital, accelerate network creation, and boost service performance and quality.
According to Bader Al-Kharafi, vice chairman & group CEO of Zain, “We extend our sincere appreciation to the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and H.E. Abdulsalam Haykal, minister of communications and information technology, and his team for conducting a transparent, professional, and rigorous tender process. Their confidence in Zain is a responsibility we embrace with the highest level of commitment. The Zain Group Board and executive management are fully committed to building a modern, reliable network that supports Syria’s digital transformation and delivers high‑quality telecom and digital services to the Syrian community. Guided by the directives and wise vision of H.H. The Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, we reaffirm our firm belief in the importance of strengthening Arab cooperation and advancing development and investment initiatives that foster stability and prosperity across the region while reinforcing the foundations of sustainable development for generations to come. I was honored to meet with the president of Syria, H.E. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, during which I emphasized that Zain’s entry into the Syrian market represents more than a strategic business expansion; it reflects our deep confidence in Syria’s future, the capabilities of its people, and its development ambitions.”
“I also conveyed Zain Group’s commitment to being a true partner in supporting Syria’s digital transformation and economic growth through investing in local talent, advancing digital infrastructure, and supporting SMEs and government entities through advanced AI-powered digital solutions that will serve generations to come. We are confident in Syria’s economic recovery and long-term prospects. Zain’s entry into the market, alongside the operation’s committed CAPEX investment over the coming decade, reflects this confidence. This expansion strengthens our presence in the Levant, reinforces longstanding Kuwaiti Syrian ties, and enhances regional connectivity by enabling cross-border digital services that leverage Zain’s regional footprint and technological capabilities. Guided by our ‘4WARD‑Progress with Purpose’ corporate strategy and our purpose of creating ‘Better Lives and Lasting Connections’, we look forward to welcoming the people of Syria into Zain’s Wonderful World and becoming a trusted partner in the country’s digital transformation and socio‑economic progress.”
“Established Zain entities such as ZainTECH, Zain Omantel International (ZOI), our fintech platforms, and other digital businesses will extend their services to the country. In parallel, financial support and innovation-driven initiatives will be implemented to foster the Syrian entrepreneurial startup ecosystem. This approach underscores Zain’s commitment to creating long-term value that extends beyond telecom and contributes meaningfully to the country’s digital development. Established Zain entities such as ZainTECH, Zain Omantel International (ZOI), our fintech platforms, and other digital businesses will extend their services to the country. In parallel, financial support and innovation-driven initiatives will be implemented to foster the Syrian entrepreneurial startup ecosystem. This approach underscores Zain’s commitment to creating long-term value that extends beyond telecom and contributes meaningfully to the country’s digital development. We are confident that this expansion will enhance shareholder value through an expanded customer base and increased revenues, driven by synergies with neighboring markets, while reinforcing Zain’s position as a leading regional TechCo on the global stage.”
During the six months of the transition, the Zain Syrian business will carry out a full network upgrade program while ensuring a continuous level of service for about 6.3 million existing users. 5G deployments, upgrades to infrastructure, and AI-powered solutions will be major features of the deployment. The first phases will focus on over 98% of the population.
Zain will take advantage of its operational technical expertise and systematic investment procedures developed in new and intricate market conditions to guarantee high service accessibility and a superior client experience for Syrian customers, companies, and SMEs as well as government entities.
Once officially launched, Zain Syria is going to provide a wide range of voice, data, digital, and content-based entertainment offerings for families, youth, and enterprises as well as public sector organizations. Customers will gain advantages from collaborations with Zain Group’s popular products, localized and digital offerings, and new services created specifically for the Syrian market.
Notably, Zain has 51.2 million customers and is active in 8 markets in the Middle East and Africa. Zain will further broaden its footprint to Syria, reinforcing its standing as a leading regional TechCo and supporting its 4WARD-Progress with Purpose approach to speed up the business through its expansion into high-potential neighboring markets. The group will provide 5G services across Kuwait, KSA, and Bahrain as well as Jordan with a dominant regional 5G position alongside the launch of Zain Syria.