Throughout its remarkable evolution journey, Zain KSA has transitioned from being a leading telecommunications and digital services provider to a trailblazer in fostering national talent, becoming a blueprint for businesses shaping Saudi Arabia's digital future. With a keen focus on harnessing the potential of the Kingdom's youth, Zain has played a pivotal role in realizing Saudi Vision 2030 objectives; creating a diversified, knowledge-based economy, developing human capabilities, and achieving a vibrant society and a thriving economy, to build an ambitious nation.
Zain KSA's success story unfolds in a captivating tale about empowering Saudi women in the ICT sector, a story grounded in the values of diversity and inclusion– underscoring Zain’s stellar success in embracing young talent, creating a supportive environment for women's development and empowerment, and enabling their remarkable achievements.
In an exclusive interview with Telecom Review, Njoud Alshehri, Digital Executive General Manager at Zain KSA, highlighted the crucial role that a supportive workplace environment plays in empowering women and enhancing their contribution to the national transformation journey in the ICT sector, while also supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to increase women's participation in the workforce, which has already reached 37% in 2022.
As Zain KSA's Digital Executive General Manager, you navigate various daily challenges, such as the need for quick and flexible decision-making, effective work and employee management, and a deep understanding of advanced technologies. Could you please share how you have successfully navigated these challenges? Also, in your opinion, how can women contribute value to the ICT sector?
The ICT sector presents unique challenges, requiring women to continuously learn new skills, keep up with global technologies, and promote innovation. Given the dynamic nature of the ICT sector, there are notable challenges in acquiring leadership skills, effective team management, and fostering emotional intelligence. Building a cohesive team and empowering its members involves embracing a transparent management approach, instilling confidence and pride within a motivating environment, and ensuring consistent communication to align all team members around a shared vision and common goals.
The 2018 launch of Yaqoot is a great example of our commitment to delivering practical and efficient digital solutions that cater to customers' needs, perfectly attuned to the demands of the digital era. The compelling suite of digital bundles, accessible through an exclusive app, allows subscribers to communicate through a fully integrated and reliable digital experience without the need for special credentials such as fingerprints, documents, or paper. All procedures are carried out through a user-friendly and efficient digital application, from requesting and activating the SIM card to post-purchase services for optimal utilization of the provided service.
The digital team's success in launching Yaqoot was evident as the platform achieved a 600% subscriber growth in just four years and received several awards. We are deeply grateful for this success which is also due to our great working environment that believes in empowerment and support– particularly, empowering women to fulfill their vital role in development, innovation, and growth, and encouraging their participation at all levels, including leadership.
How does Zain KSA empower women in the ICT sector to inspire future generations of women to lead and make a real impact?
Zain KSA is committed to creating an equal and fair workplace for all and ensuring that women have the opportunity to reach their full potential in the ICT sector. To this end, the company focuses on cultivating women’s skills, keeping pace with the dynamic and rapidly evolving sector. Consequently, women leaders at Zain KSA have distinguished themselves in both management and performance, attaining remarkable successes. One of Zain KSA’s key goals has been to bolster its national identity by constructing a growing and evolving national telecoms sector, incorporating local content elements and Saudi talent, and emphasizing its commitment to ensuring an effective role for women.
We have made it a priority to support the skills and potential of female talent in Saudi Arabia by offering training and employment opportunities, ensuring that they have access to specialized education in various fields, and enabling them to take on leadership positions.
Let me briefly highlight one of our key initiatives in this regard, particularly the WE program. Its goal is to empower our workforce by increasing the representation of women in leadership roles and fostering gender diversity throughout the workplace. Additionally, we have extended our support beyond the confines of Zain’s workplace through the Women in Technology (WIT) program. This initiative is designed to support and guide female university students in Saudi Arabia, particularly in STEM fields.
Women often face challenges stemming from stereotypes and discrimination, which can hinder their professional growth. Throughout your work within this sector, what specific challenges have you faced?
Well, you see, at Zain KSA, female colleagues face similar challenges to their male counterparts, particularly as women’s participation in various fields and specializations within the ICT sector has grown significantly. We embrace diversity and inclusivity as the cornerstones of Zain KSA’s work environment, celebrating our differences and recognizing that diversity is the key to excellence. We treat everyone with genuine respect and appreciation, harnessing our diversity to deliver exceptional results.
In this context, the company has successfully cultivated an institutional culture that empowers its workforce to achieve gender equality and eradicate all forms of discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, disability, or social class. Zain KSA is unwavering in its commitment to these values, fostering a healthy and supportive work environment that upholds the highest standards of job stability and employee well-being.
What advice would you give to young women who are new to the telecoms sector?
The telecommunications sector is rapidly evolving; therefore, it's important for the youth, both young men and women, to stay ahead of the curve. This means continuously learning, keeping abreast of the latest technologies, and following industry trends. These actions will enable them to develop a long-term vision and plan for their career growth and development.
In addition to professional skills, cultivating personal skills is equally crucial for the youth. These capabilities not only enhance their active participation within their organizations but also instill the confidence to propose and discuss groundbreaking ideas. Such initiatives foster creativity, potentially reshaping the trajectory of the ICT sector. Ultimately, it is the fresh perspectives and innovative spirit of the youth that will shape the future landscape of communications in the years ahead.
What innovative measures does Zain KSA plan to implement to achieve its tech-related goals for a comprehensive digital transformation?
At Zain KSA,we are committed to innovation that creates a seamless and integrated experience for our customers. Our strategic investments in the telecommunications industry go beyond the corporate realm to benefit the entire nation. We have achieved a milestone by deploying a cutting-edge 5G digital infrastructure that caters to the dynamic needs of the evolving digital landscape. Supported by the advanced network, our groundbreaking Zain Cloud platform offers top-notch cloud computing services.
Zain KSA stands at the forefront of the industry and is a go-to hub for delivering market-leading telecommunications and digital services in the Kingdom, catering to the needs of individuals and businesses alike. Beyond being a service provider, it has cemented its position as a trusted partner for the Kingdom’s major projects. The innovative spirit doesn't stop there—Zain KSA has ventured into adjacent markets by introducing specialized services and companies across various sectors like entertainment, finance, and digital solutions, among others. We aim to achieve a comprehensive digital transformation.
Zain KSA has recently made strides in strategic partnerships. We have signed a framework agreement with the Private Sector Partnership Program, Shareek, under the patronage, and in the presence of, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, to build several hyperscale data centers. The plan supports the transition to a digital economy, while also future-proofing the IT sector.
All these efforts fall under Zain KSA’s commitment to sustainability. Dedicated to responsible growth, Zain KSA has recently launched the world's first zero-carbon 5G network at the Six Senses Southern Dunes resort at The Red Sea. Through the use of revolutionary technologies, the project represents a significant technological breakthrough in one of the world’s most complex technological dilemmas.