Page 19 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omantel At COMEX 2025: Technology Partner

Reshaping Oman’s Digital Future

Under the evocative theme “At Sight”, Omantel steps into COMEX
2025 not merely as a participant, but as the pulse behind Oman’s
digital transformation. As the official technology partner of the
exhibition, Omantel brings to life its strategic vision of a seamlessly
connected future, where innovation is not an abstract promise, but
a lived reality aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the National
Digital Economy Program. At the heart of the exhibition, Omantel
unveils a suite of advanced technologies that reflect its role as a
national enabler: artificial intelligence, space technology, smart
communications, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. These aren’t
just technical showcases - they are instruments of empowerment,
designed to accelerate innovation, enhance institutional agility,
and reshape the digital landscape across sectors. The opening
day marks a pivotal moment, as Omantel will sign a series
of strategic agreements with government entities, private contributed to providing state-of-the-art solutions to different
organizations, and emerging start-ups. These partnerships are consumer and business sectors. The company aims to deliver an
more than formalities; they are building blocks of a unified digital unparalleled, exceptional experience to its customers and strives
ecosystem that positions Oman for a smarter, more sustainable to always exceed their expectations. To achieve the objectives
future. Omantel has succeeded, through the integration of its of Oman Vision 2040, Omantel invests in emerging technologies
operations, processes, and extensive expertise in the field of and provides cutting-edge ICT solutions, such as cloud solutions,
communications and digital technology, in establishing its position AI, Smart solutions, cybersecurity, and much more, in addition to
as a leading telecommunications company within the Sultanate harnessing its technological capabilities to enhance innovation
of Oman and beyond. The company's innovative approaches have and leadership in new and advanced technologies.

Enhancing the Purpose of Innovation: Zain Great
Idea (ZGI 2025) Accelerator Program Expands

Across the Region

Zain Group announces the regional expansion of its award- ZGI has empowered over 7,000 entrepreneurs, facilitated 110+
winning startup accelerator program, Zain Great Idea (ZGI 2025), bootcamps, that led to over USD 135 million funds raised from
powered by Zain Ventures, the Group’s venture capital arm, and regional investors during the last 5 years alone. The ZGI 2025
ZainTECH, its regional digital solutions enterprise arm. For the program complements Zain’s ‘4WARD – Progress with Purpose’
first time in the program’s 15-year history, the 2025 edition will strategy, which emphasizes meaningful innovation, inclusive
welcome applications from innovators in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, growth, collaboration, and AI powered digital transformation with
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, offering unprecedented access real societal impact. By backing the regional startup ecosystem,
to mentorship, capital, and global exposure including a trip to Zain reinforces its commitment to building a future where progress
Silicon Valley for a two-week intensive program. Zain Ventures is is fueled by purpose, and innovation is driven from the region for the
a key driver of ZGI’s regional expansion, aiming to invest in and region. Bader Al-Kharafi, Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO said,
capitalize prime opportunities, while ZainTECH will cooperate “Zain Great Idea has become a beacon of innovation in Kuwait and
with the ZGI team throughout the accelerator program, working beyond. Expanding ZGI across our footprint is a natural evolution
closely with and providing the startups selected to visit Silicon of our commitment to nurturing regional talent and driving
Valley strategic advisory and identify technologies such as Cloud, meaningful change. Through the collaborative efforts of ZGI, Zain
Ai, Analytics, Robotics and other emerging technologies that will Ventures and ZainTECH, we aim to support startups that have the
further support their growth throughout the year. This milestone potential to have a marked and lasting impact on technological
marks a transformative leap from ZGI’s Kuwait-centric roots to a innovation and job creation across the region, fulfilling our purpose
Group-wide initiative, reinforcing Zain’s commitment to nurturing of uplifting economies and societies”
innovation and entrepreneurship across the region. Since 2010,

19 AUG-SEP 2025