Founded1983
HeadquartersKuwait City, Kuwait
CEOBader Al-Kharafi
FoundersNasser Al-Kharafi
IndustryTelecommunications

About

Zain Group is a Kuwait-based mobile telecommunications group, listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (ticker ZAIN) and headquartered in Kuwait City. It was founded on 22 June 1983 as MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company) by Nasser Al-Kharafi and took the Zain name in 2007. It reports 50.9 million active customers at 31 December 2025.

For 2025 it reported consolidated revenue of KD 2.3 billion (US$7.44 billion), up 14%, EBITDA of KD 780 million and net income of KD 239 million (US$777 million), up 103%. Forbes Middle East ranked it 64th in its 100 Most Valuable Companies 2026, with a market value of US$7.2 billion. Its largest shareholders in 2024 were Omantel (21.9%) and the Kuwait Investment Authority (15.9%).

The group operates in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan, and holds a stake in Morocco's inwi (formerly Wana). Bader Al-Kharafi is Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Osamah Othman Alfuraih is chairman, and Nawaf Al-Gharabally is CEO of Zain Kuwait. In 2026 Zain was reported to have won Syria's second mobile licence in a US$747 million bid.

Key figures

KD 2.3 billion (US$7.44 billion)Revenue2025▲ +14%
KD 780 million (US$2.54 billion)EBITDA2025
KD 239 million (US$777 million)Net income2025▲ +103%
50.9 millionActive customers31 December 2025Forbes ME cites 51.3 million at September 2025
US$7.2 billionMarket valueForbes ME 2026Rank 64 of 100 most valuable
US$3.5 billionBrand value2025
Omantel 21.9%, Kuwait Investment Authority 15.9%Major shareholders2024

Figures are as published by the sources listed on this page. Where a figure comes from the company itself we have not audited it.

Scope of operations

  • Mobile and digital services in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan
  • Stake in inwi (Morocco)
  • ZainTECH enterprise and ICT services

Founders and key people

Bader Al-Kharafi

Not Verified

Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Zain Group · Zain Group

  • Nasser Al-Kharafi founder
  • Osamah Othman Alfuraih Chairman
  • Nawaf Al-Gharabally CEO, Zain Kuwait

Timeline

  1. 1983Founded in Kuwait as MTC (22 June)
  2. 1994Kuwait unit launches commercial GSM services, which the group says was a regional first
  3. 2003Bahrain operations begin (14 August)
  4. 2005Buys Celtel International for US$3.4 billion (May)
  5. 2006Buys the remaining 61% of Mobitel, Sudan (February)
  6. 2007Rebranded Zain (September); Iraq licence (August)
  7. 2008Saudi commercial launch (26 August)
  8. 2009Acquires 31% of Wana, Morocco, in a 50/50 partnership (14 March)
  9. 2010Completes sale of Zain Africa BV to Bharti Airtel for US$10.7 billion enterprise value (8 June)
  10. 2017Bader Al-Kharafi becomes Group CEO, replacing Scott Gegenheimer
  11. 2019Zain KSA launches 5G (October)
  12. 20255G Advanced launched (June)
  13. 2026Reported winner of the Syria mobile licence with a US$747 million bid (June)