Zain awarded 25-year Syria telecom license following USD 747 million bid

TDT | Manama

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Zain Group, a leading regional technology company, has been awarded a 25-year licence to operate a mobile telecom network in the Syrian Arab Republic following a competitive tender process conducted by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The licence, valued at USD 747 million, will allow Zain to operate Syria’s existing MTN network. The agreement includes a 20-year term with the option of a five-year extension.

Zain will establish a new operating company in Syria, holding a 75% stake, while a Syrian government entity will own the remaining 25%. The commercial launch of the “Zain Syria” brand is expected in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

A six-month transition period will see Zain working closely with Syrian authorities and the current operator to ensure service continuity for around 6.3 million customers.

As part of the agreement, Zain plans to invest more than USD 800 million over the next decade to modernize and expand the network, including the rollout of 5G and AI-powered digital technologies.

Zain Group said the expansion reflects confidence in Syria’s telecom market and long-term economic prospects, and aligns with its regional strategy to grow in high-potential markets and strengthen digital connectivity across the Levant.