Zain Kuwait Names Nawaf Al-Gharabally as its CEO

Zain Group, a provider of innovative technologies and digital lifestyle communications operating in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, announces the appointment of Kuwaiti national, Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally to the position of CEO of Zain Kuwait, effective immediately.

With an impressive 25-year track record of success within Zain and the telecom industry across the Middle East and Africa, Al-Gharabally held roles as Zain Group and Zain Kuwait Chief Technology Officer prior to his latest appointment.

Al-Gharabally joined the Zain family in 1998, and over the years has developed to become a key member of the organization’s executive management team. He possesses extensive experience across a number of disciplines covering mobile technologies, digital transformation, strategy, and management with multiple career highlights notably Zain Kuwait emerging as the first company to successfully launch 5G services in the Gulf region, under his leadership in 2019.

Al-Gharabally also led the development and modernization of Zain Kuwait’s networks in recent years, playing a key role in Zain’s 5G expansion in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan; and 4G expansions in Iraq, Sudan, and South Sudan. He also played key technology-related senior roles during Zain’s presence across 15 countries in Africa between 2005 and 2011.

A statement from Zain said, “Promoting an existing Zain leader with such an impressive track record fulfills the company’s Group-wide HR policy of capitalizing on and promoting talent from within. The appointment of Nawaf Al-Gharabally reflects the continuous investment in and development of Zainers, and the confidence in the capabilities of existing talents as leaders. The company is confident that his deep understanding of the Zain brand, solid operational and digital innovation expertise, and a strong history of working within the telecommunications sector across the region will prove invaluable in driving Zain Kuwait to new heights.”

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Gharabally said, “I am honored to assume the leadership of Zain Kuwait, a company which has played an instrumental national role in the telecom, economic and social landscape, pioneering numerous innovations regionally. I’m thankful of the Zain Group Board of Directors and leadership for their trust and confidence, and look forward to continue working with the them and the many talented people we have in Kuwait and across the Group, particularly at this point-in-time when digital transformation is accelerating and changing the way we live and work.”

Zain Kuwait remains the market leader with an active customer base of approximately 2.7 million. The company recently entered a marketing partnership with Red Bull aimed at appealing to the youth market, while Zain Kuwait’s nationwide 5G network has continued to grow having the largest market share of 5G subscribers in the country. The operator continues to expand its offering in the B2B corporate segment, as well as to innovate in digital entertainment and digital services for consumers and businesses alike.

Al-Gharabally graduated from Kuwait University in 1998 with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, and went on to attain an MBA from London Business School in 2021.