‘AA’ MSCI ESG rating makes Zain one of the GCC’s highest-rated companies

• Zain’s ESG rating ranks it among global telecom leaders of 164 companies

• Zain Bahrain continues to support the Kingdom’s economic development through digital innovation, advanced technology solutions and responsible business practices, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

• Bader Al-Kharafi: “Rating marks a defining milestone in Zain’s transformation into a purpose-driven TechCo and validates the execution of our ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’ strategy”

• Ammar Al Ketbi, Zain Bahrain CEO: “At Zain Bahrain, we see ESG not simply as a corporate responsibility, but as an important component of how we create long-term value for our customers, employees, shareholders and the wider community.”

Zain Group, a leading TechCo providing innovative ICT and digital lifestyle communications across eight markets in the Middle East and Africa, has recently seen its Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating upgraded from ‘A’ to ‘AA’, marking a significant milestone in the Group’s ongoing commitment of sustainable growth, sound governance and responsible business leadership.

This makes Zain one of the highest-rated companies across the region of all industries within the MSCI ESG assessment universe and places Zain Group in the Leader category among a global peer universe of 164 telecommunications companies.

Zain cemented its position among the highest-performing telecommunications companies in the GCC ,including Zain Bahrain, while reinforcing the momentum of its long-term ESG journey and demonstrating the effectiveness of the Group’s approach to identifying and managing material ESG risks and opportunities

Zain Vice-Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Al-Kharafi commented, “Achieving an ‘AA’ ESG rating marks a defining milestone in Zain’s transformation into a purpose-driven TechCo. It is a collective, Group-wide achievement that validates the disciplined execution of our ‘4WARD-Progress with Purpose’ strategy. Across Zain’s ecosystem, our Boards, governance structures and sustainability teams are embedding sound environmental, social and governance practices into strategic decision-making and operational execution.”

He added: “Our progression to an ‘AA’ rating demonstrates that credible ESG leadership is built through consistent action, transparent measurement and accountability. By ensuring that our governance frameworks remain aligned with evolving international standards and best practices across every business function, we have strengthened our ability to anticipate risks, safeguard stakeholder trust and create lasting value. This progress also advances our purpose: ‘Better Lives. Lasting Connections.’”

Commenting on the achievement, Ammar Al-Ketbi,  Zain Bahrain CEO, said: “Zain ‘AA’ MSCI ESG rating is a significant achievement that reflects how sustainability and responsible business practices are increasingly embedded across our operations. At Zain Bahrain, we see ESG not simply as a corporate responsibility, but as an important component of how we create long-term value for our customers, employees, shareholders and the wider community. This direction is particularly relevant in Bahrain, where sustainability, competitiveness and innovation remain central to the Kingdom’s long-term economic development.”

The latest assessment recognized Zain’s continued advancement across several material areas, with the Group performing above the telecommunications industry average in privacy and data security, labor management, environmental practices and corporate behavior, including internal controls and policies.

Zain’s data security practices were identified as leading those of industry peers, supported by pre-emptive measures, established incident-response mechanisms and provisions for conducting due diligence on the data-security practices of suppliers.

The assessment also recognized the Group’s efforts to strengthen employee engagement and responsible workplace practices through measures to support a culture in which ethical conduct, employee experience and accountability are treated as core components of long-term business performance.

Zain’s ‘AA’ rating reinforces the strategic importance the Group places on effective oversight, ethical leadership, transparent reporting and disciplined risk management. These practices provide stakeholders with greater confidence that the company is being managed responsibly while supporting its ability to navigate an increasingly complex technological, regulatory and geopolitical environment.

MSCI ESG Ratings assess companies’ resilience to financially relevant, industry-specific sustainability risks and opportunities. Companies receive an industry-relative rating on a seven-level scale ranging from ‘AAA’ to ‘CCC’, based on their exposure to relevant risks and the effectiveness of their management practices.

Zain Bahrain continues to support the Kingdom’s economic development through digital innovation, advanced technology solutions and responsible business practices, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. This also reflects Zain Group’s ‘4WARD – Progress with Purpose’ strategy, which strengthens ESG practices across its operations while creating sustainable value for customers, employees, communities and the wider economy.