Zain Group
Executive Summary
Zain demonstrates strong ESG performance across most dimensions, with particular excellence in environmental management through SBTi-approved net-zero targets, comprehensive emissions reporting, and significant carbon reductions. The company maintains robust governance frameworks with extensive transparency, regulatory compliance certifications, and comprehensive ethics programs. Social performance is solid with substantial community investment, comprehensive training programs, and systematic supply chain sustainability, though workplace safety metrics and board diversity present improvement opportunities.
Year-over-Year Analysis
vs 2024Zain maintained strong ESG performance in 2025 with continued excellence in environmental management and governance transparency. The company sustained its leadership in carbon management while strengthening compliance frameworks through ISO 37301 certifications. Social performance remained stable with continued community investment and training programs, though some areas showed modest declines from 2024 levels.
Environmental pillar remained strong with E1 maintaining excellence at 9.5, while E2 declined from 8.5 to 7.5 and E3 decreased from 9 to 8.5. E4 showed significant improvement from 8 to 6, reflecting enhanced focus on waste and water management baseline establishment.
Social pillar showed mixed performance with S1 maintaining 7.5, S2 declining from 8 to 6, S3 declining from 7.5 to 6, S4 declining from 8 to 7, while S5 improved from 8.5 to 7. Overall social performance reflected continued community investment but challenges in workplace safety and diversity advancement.
Governance pillar remained stable with G1 maintaining 9, G2 declining slightly from 9 to 8.5, G3 declining from 7 to 6, G4 declining from 5 to 4, and G5 declining from 9 to 8. The pillar maintained strong transparency and compliance while facing challenges in board composition and sustainable finance integration.
Key Improvements
Key Regressions
Zain is well-positioned to maintain ESG leadership through continued environmental excellence and governance transparency. Key focus areas for 2026 should include advancing board diversity, enhancing workplace safety metrics, and developing comprehensive sustainable finance products to support long-term value creation.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
S: 8.15
G: 8.65
Counted once per program · Mnakh-verified distinct deliveries counted separately · third-party records excluded
Recent Activities
View all →Zain Sponsors Watheefti Career Fair to Expand Kuwaiti Youth Employment
Zain Group sponsored and participated in the fifth edition of the 'Watheefti' career fair, held at The Arena in Kuwait on 17 October 2026 under the patronage of the Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, alongside more than 120 public and private sector organizations. Zain used its booth to present career pathways, graduate and training opportunities, and roles in AI, cybersecurity, data science and digital innovation to Kuwaiti job seekers and university students. The participation forms part of the company's ongoing national talent attraction and development efforts; no participant or hiring figures were disclosed.
Zain Partners to Launch Agentic AI Training Program for Business Leaders
Zain Group's Kuwait operation (Zain) announced a strategic partnership with Itlaq Consulting, alongside Kuwait's Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), the US Embassy in Kuwait, Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST), and several academic and business community partners, to launch 'The Agentic AI Experience' in Kuwait. The intensive training program, running November 2 to December 2, 2026 at GUST, targets business owners, executives, and non-technical leaders to build practical skills in deploying AI agents within their organizations.
Zain Extends Robotics Championship Partnership with Kuwait University
Zain Group (Zain) announced its fourth consecutive year as strategic partner of the Kuwait National Robotics Championship (KNRC), organized with Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Education. The 2027 season introduces a new 'Zain Innovation' award for university students, a recurring girls' empowerment workshop in robotics and STEM, and a new 'Zain Future Makers' program allowing employees' children (ages 6-17) to compete as dedicated teams for the first time.
Zain Concludes Kuwait Codes 2026 Season for Nearly 1,000 Young Participants
Zain Group concluded the 2026 season of the 'Kuwait Codes' program, delivered in partnership with CODED Academy, with a closing ceremony at Al Shaheed Park on 21 September 2026 where student projects were showcased and the Zain Award for Youth and Community was presented. The season trained nearly 1,000 young participants across three tracks — cybersecurity, Python programming with AI, and AI web development — and included hosting around 200 students at Zain's Shuwaikh headquarters. The five-year partnership has reached more than 5,500 students to date.
Zain Partners with Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf on Sign Language Access
Zain Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kuwait Sports Club for the Deaf on 20 September 2026, coinciding with the International Day of Sign Languages, covering accessibility, training, digital services and professional development for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Zain launched the first phase of a video remote sign language interpretation service for deaf customers at its Avenues and Kout Mall branches, connecting them with certified interpreters from the club, alongside a Kuwaiti Sign Language digital library of more than 200 phrases across five themes released as an open resource. The partnership also includes employee sign language training, sign-integrated video content on Zain channels from 20-24 September, dedicated offers for over 370 club members, and 5G Advanced connectivity installed at the club premises.