Kuwait City, Kuwait – 

Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innovator in seven markets across the Middle East and Africa, announces the launch of a new internal initiative, the Zainiac Innovation Academy (ZIA).

The ZIA program incorporates a strategic three-month leadership course for a diverse and talented group of 42 senior leaders selected from across Group departments, business units and Zain markets, as well as executives from Omantel.

The aim of ZIA is to grow the innovation culture for Zain employees, supporting them to learn creative problem-solving skills, develop the leadership competencies required to drive innovation, and to deliver winning new products and services to benefit Zain’s customers and communities.

An internal statement from Zain senior management to the 42 selected leaders stated, “Staying ahead in these challenging and competitive times requires ongoing innovation, creative thinking, and effective execution. Fostering our entrepreneurial talent to understand complex situations and develop solutions through internal innovation practices based on both science and real-world experience is what the Zainiac Innovation Academy is all about.”

Dr. Mark Batey, a leading academic and practitioner at Manchester Metropolitan Business School, responsible for the design and delivery of ZIA in coordination with human resources leadership teams within Zain said, “This is a powerful program to support the rapid innovation occurring across the Zain Group. It blends the latest science of creativity, innovation, change, and leadership with best practices and processes to deliver new products and vital skills. I’m confident the Zain leadership undertaking the training will boost the profitability and growth of the Group, as well as benefit customers and their communities.” 

The objectives of the Zainiac Innovation Academy Senior Leaders program, which includes fintech, education, and health are aimed to support Zain leaders to:

• Develop the skills and confidence to be creative and innovative
• Work collaboratively on five strategic innovation projects to deliver innovative products and services for customers and their communities
• Build a network of skilled innovation leaders across Zain Group
• Further boost the innovation culture in alignment with Zain Group values – to be full of heart, radiance, and belonging

Zain’s launch of the Zainiac Innovation Academy coincides with World Creativity & Innovation Day marked annually on 21 April.