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
Recent Activities
View all →Zain Supports CITRA 'Arqami' Telecom Line Transparency Service on Sahel App
Zain Group collaborated with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) to support the launch of the 'Arqami' service on Sahel, Kuwait's unified government e-services application, announced on 16 August 2026. The service allows citizens and residents to view all mobile and telecommunications lines registered under their names across operators and to identify unknown or unused lines. Zain states the initiative supports customer data accuracy, privacy protection and transparency in the telecom sector; no participation figures or measurable outcomes were disclosed.
Zain Concludes Seventh Summer Internship Program for 30 Kuwaiti Trainees
Zain Group concluded the seventh season of its Summer Program on 12 August 2026, a five-week field internship that placed 30 university students and fresh graduates across 22 Zain stores in Kuwait. The program drew more than 2,400 applicants, of whom over 600 eligible candidates were interviewed, and included orientation sessions, workshops delivered by INJAZ Kuwait, an artificial intelligence skills workshop, and a final team challenge covering digital skills, sustainability, youth empowerment, and digital responsibility. A closing ceremony was held at the company's Shuwaikh headquarters to recognise participants and outstanding trainees.
Zain Concludes Fourth Innovation Nation STEM Summer Camp for 2,560 Children
Zain Group, in partnership with the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC), a Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) center, concluded the fourth season of the Innovation Nation Summer Camp on 11 August 2026, with 2,560 children participating. The camp ran at Assima Mall for nine days with more than 1,175 participants and at The Avenues for ten days with more than 1,390 participants, delivering hands-on STEM workshops in robotics, artificial intelligence, coding, augmented reality, 3D printing, electronics, and energy storage. Zain has run the program for four consecutive years as part of its youth education and digital skills development activity.
Zain Participates in INJAZ Kuwait Internship Fair to Promote Youth Training
Zain Group participated in INJAZ Kuwait's annual Internship Fair on 2 August 2026, introducing university students and fresh graduates to training and workplace-skills opportunities in the telecom and technology sector. Zain presented internship placements offered through its Future University Network (FUN) Program, launched in 2008, which provides part-time placements with a monthly financial incentive, workshops, a summer branch placement program, and FUN Talks sessions with entrepreneurs. The participation forms part of a strategic partnership with INJAZ Kuwait spanning more than two decades.
Zain Holds Leadership and Innovation Development Workshop for Employees
Zain Group held a two-day internal leadership development workshop titled "Leading a Culture of Innovation: Scaling Leadership Impact" at the Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) in Kuwait, announced on 30 July 2026. The session was delivered by leadership and organizational culture expert Warren Cass under Zain's strategic partnership with ALGAS Events, and covered innovation leadership, team building, and organizational change management. The number of participating leaders and training hours delivered were not disclosed.