Zain Sudan

Telecommunication has a large impact on the development of both the private and public sectors. Being the largest telecommunication company in Sudan, Zain has continued over the span of 22 years to push the national economy forward, which significantly impacted the economy of the country.

Zain also pursues a policy of recruitment for Sudanese employees and workers in all its functions, in addition to providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

This is excluding the CSR projects, which contribute to the development of the community through intelligently designed projects and programs tailored to fit the needs of all Sudanese citizens.

In 1996 15 engineers from Mobitel's (now Zain) Network division laid the foundation for the future, by installing the first 10 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), covering “Dar Elhatif”, Burry, Bahri, Shambat, Umdurman, Almahdia, Khartoum South's new extension, the General Command and Abo Haraz.

By the end of 1997, Wad Madani and Port Sudan, in addition to other cities and states, joined the Sudanese Mobile Telephone Network, through optical fiber cables.

The years 1998-1999 witnessed a giant leap in the development of the Sudanese Mobile Telephone Network, as it covered numerous cities; towns and villages in almost every state in the Country.

In a short period of time, and in accordance with its forward-looking strategy, Zain extended its network far and wide, remaining the best companion for travelers on the national highways, as part of its wonderful world that spreads across all the Greater Sudan's cities; villages and countryside.

Over the years, the growing number of Zain stations increased coverage nationally in addition to updating the network technologies. The data communication services were then introduced which required updating and replacing the devices and equipment used.

With the growth of its subscriber base, Zain developed the main network to accommodate advanced services and meet its subscribers’ aspirations, in addition to keeping pace with the global progress in this technical field. Consequently, a number of locations were added. The capacity of the main network then exceeded 11 million subscribers who now enjoy the latest technology in the world.

Zain's network was classified by Ericsson as the best performing and efficient network in Africa and the Middle East in 2011.

Jabra Switching Center, in South Khartoum is the largest and most advanced of its kind in Africa, run on the latest and best global systems. The Center is characterized by the ability to scale in size to meet the ever-growing customer base, as well as containing the latest disaster recovery technology, in addition to housing state-of-the-art buildings.

Since the acquisition by MTC/Zain Group, Zain was keen on bringing the latest mobile telecommunications technologies to Sudan in order to expand the network. $1.5 billion was invested over the last 6 years to develop its administrative and operational capabilities. Today, Zain uses the latest towers technology, to provide coverage to over 1000 cities and villages throughout Sudan, with the national coverage exceeding 90% of the total population of the country through 2,400 towers nationwide. Using 2G, 3G and 3.5G technologies, data transmission services were made accessible, in alignment with the

In a bid to remain the leading telecom company and to keep pace with the latest technologies, Zain is ready to launch 4G LTE technology for the first time in Sudan, which allows for speeds 4 times faster than 3G. This will enable the provision of new services and a richer experience for individuals as well as the economic and corporate sectors, leading to a strong and positive impact on the development of telecommunications infrastructure and the advancement of the economic sectors. Additionally, the technology will double the exchanged Internet data volumes and increase the use of smart phones that support this technology, providing room for expansion in terms of increased data usage in the different development sectors such as the educational and health service sectors among others.

With the Environment being a top concern for Zain, the company employs eco-friendly practices by installing intelligent towers. Designed to blend into the environment and surrounding landscape, these towers also consume minimum energy. In fact, unlike traditional towers, these don't require large generators as they extract the energy needed from the wind and sun, such as the ones installed in Tutti Island, the palm-shaped tower on the Nile Street and Port Sudan's seafront Street. In the same context, the company transferred more than 300 232 sites to hybrid power system which consumes 40% less fuel. Zain also turned to using solar power in some stations, reducing the overall fuel consumption by 100%.

It is often and for different reasons that telecom networks merge. But it was the first time in the history of the telecom industry worldwide for a network to split its operations. As a result of South Sudan's succession, Zain had to face the challenge of separating its network into two independent networks.

Efforts to separate South Sudan's network and arrangements for a new network infrastructure began in 2010, where an urgent need to prepare the Data and Switch and Centers appeared. The centers were complete and ready by 2011.

A proposal for the network separation which covered 90% of the populated areas was prepared since January 2011. The objective was to build an independent network from Sudan's with the most advanced Billing and VAS systems. This was completed before September 1 which was the date marked for the separation. The network separation was completed immediately after the independence of South Sudan.

South Sudanese engineers in addition to other staff had been trained to manage the Zain- South Sudan network which was the first independent network in comparison to others. Thanks to the early and careful planning, the network was established with the world's most advanced 3G technology and covered South Sudan's largest cities including Juba, Wau and Malakal. The network was also extended to other populated cities and SIM Cards were changed to bear the new name, Zain- South Sudan.

It was not an easy task, but in spite of many challenges, beginning with the political situation which required a detailed and solid plan before the separation, the team in south Sudan was able to implement this plan with utmost accuracy.

Zain was the first company to use the new numbers after migration to the new country code together with the new Zain- South Sudan SIM Cards in the newly born nation. A technical plan was also prepared to ensure the continuity of the service even when using the new numbers.

In addition, roaming subscribers in South Sudan were able to use the Zain- South Sudan network at a time when other networks were facing difficulties in accommodating roaming subscribers.

This project was the first of its kind in the world, and the main factor for its success was the team spirit and synergy between Zain- Sudan and Zain- South Sudan. It is worth mentioning that this accomplishment was undertaken without the assistance of foreign consultants which reaffirms the efficiency of Zain's experts, its biggest asset.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Department commenced its work in 2001, under the management of the Deputy GM and the Sales and Marketing Manager. To supervise events, activities, as well as internal and external communication, one employee was hired in 2004.

The actual launch of the CSR department's activities took place in 2005 when a new division was established for the purpose of handling social support and media relations. At the time, 20 health and educational institutions along with a number of development projects were supported. In recognition of its leading role in social responsibility, Zain earned first recognition from the Presidency of the Republic of Sudan, The 1st Class Presidential Duty Order in 2006, thus becoming the first company to achieve such an accolade.  

In 2006, with the assistance of an external board of trustees composed of experts in social work, and under the supervision of Zain's General Manager, the CSR Department was established as part of the Regional Operations sector of the company.

In 2009, the Department expanded its work which in turn called for an increase in staff from one to four.  

In 2010, the Corporate Communication Department was expanded to include: Media Communication along with CSR and Sponsorships, both reporting directly to the MD and CEO.

Zain, recognaizes the pivotal roleplayed by the CSR projects in developing its capabilities, and in supporting the achievement that aim for its growth as a leading entity. Zain's commitment to positively impacting Sudan's communities is a matter that occupies, day after day, a deeper place in the business strategy, as a considerable budget is allocated annually towards the support of community services.

Zain's social responsibility programs focus on four key areas: health; education; community development; and environmental protection.

In the area of education, Zain has assisted in laying the foundations to encourage the development of a future generation capable of driving the wheels of change, and to ensure the continuity of education in areas that lack basic necessities, such as North and South Kordufan, Darfur's five states, Blue Nile state, Kassala, AlGadarif, and AlJazeera, Zain has spent approximately $823,000 in implementing its Student Seating Project which benefitted a total of 30,000 students. Furthermore, in addition to donating 20 computer labs to educational institution in various states, 20 schools and study halls were built.

Moreover, Zain has not lost sight of the importance of the basic needs for academic attainment, spending a total of $1,288,000 on the provision of school uniforms, pens, and books to more than 115,000 students, paying particular attention to orphans. Also, since 2012, Zain partnered with Mujadidoon Charity Association to provide meals for students, particularly orphans and underprivileged children. A total of 1,500,000 meals were distributed to help disadvantaged families and to ensure that students don't withdraw from schools.

With regard to health, Zain has left its mark on most states through the establishment of hospitals and the rehabilitation of health centers. From 2002 and till date, the cost of health projects has reached SDG 4,250,000. Examples:

• The establishment of Sherkela Hospital For Safe Motherhood and Childhood in North Kurdufan, at a cost of $545,000, to provide medical care to more than 5,000 families;

• Signing an agreement to supply a state-of-the-art MRI device to the Red Sea state, with a cost of more than $847,000, providing much needed services for the state's patients;

• Distribution of medical equipment and a number of devices to various hospitals and health centers across the country;

• Sponsoring a number of medical conferences as well as celebrating World Heart Day in addition to providing vaccination and organizing breast cancer awareness campaigns;

• A blood donation campaign in celebration of the World Blood Donor Day, in an attempt to lead by action.

In believing that its growth is directly linked to the growth and development of the communities which it serves Zain launched its community services with the source of life, water. In helping to improve the lives of 16,750 persons, Zain drilled 10 solar powered boreholes in the Red Sea state, established a complete water station in the village of Morka in the Northern state, 10 water pumps in North Kurdufan, followed by the implementation of the AlJifail Water Project, aimed at improving the lives of 10,000 across North Kurdufan.

In addition, Zain participates in all sporting, cultural and health events, among others.

What is more, Zain paid particular attention to people with special needs through the execution of various initiatives and contributions of which the following are the most notable:

• A laboratory for training the deaf on communication methods;

• The organization of the Paralympics, in collaboration with DAL Group;

• Supporting the Ibn Aljamoh Organization for people with special needs.

To support this segment of the society even further, capacity building programs for the deaf, mute and blind were organized; to help them rely on themselves by teaching them skills that would improve their livelihoods. The workshops included training in carpentry, aluminum works, and food production. To date, 90 disabled persons have benefitted from this initiative. In 2014, Zain fully sponsored the Khartoum Cheshire Home for the rehabilitation of special needs children to ensure the home provided a suitable environment for the children with opportunities for medical treatment, skills acquisition and professions to enable them to provide for themselves and their families. 5046 was allocated as a toll-free number for donations.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Zain contributes iftar meals to student hostels, hospitals, prisons, people with special needs, and to those stuck on in traffic jams. The meals distributed total to 1,000,000 annually.

Zain's concern for the environment stems from its care to developing the communities in which it operates. This is reflected in its tree planting projects. The shades of the hundreds of thousands of trees planted by Zain in Sudan's numerous states, narrate a success story. Zain further promotes environmental protection through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy in the operation of its towers and stations, as means of conserving energy and mitigating greenhouse gases emissions.

Likewise, Zain pays unprecedented attention to culture, for it firmly believes that culture is the pillar for social development. In light of this, Zain holds an annual cultural event in February, in the name of the acclaimed international Sudanese novelist, El Tayeb Salih. The El Tayeb Salih International Award for Creative Writing, which is attended by prominent African and Arab novelists and literates, aims to foster and encourage talent, and promote the Arabic language worldwide. Zain also continually sponsors the Rashid Diab Center, and has sponsored thus far 40 forums, 24 seminars for the prominent Sudanese scholar Abdalla El Tayeb to complete the journey of the late scholar in preserving the Arabic language, held in Alshariga Hall at the University of Khartoum. Zain further sponsored 25 other activities in collaboration with the Sudanese Writers Union, along with sponsoring of the Sons of Aljazeera Association for Literature and Arts.

Zain's wonderful world continues to offer initiatives and a variety of programs in recognition of the Sudanese community. In 2012 it launched the Ideal Mother Award in all of Sudan's states out of loyalty and respect for the mother's role in the society and deepening the values of altruism and bestowment in addition to recognizing her great role in the upbringing of future generations. The National Day was launched the same year as part of the Sudan's Independence celebrations and a symbol of gratitude for those who epitomized the spirit of sacrifice and redemption to the beloved Sudan.

Zain has played a leading role in youth training and development by preparing this segment to enter the labor market. With the increasing number of graduates, the company launched in October 2009 the Graduate Training Program in the Call Center department with the highest degree of transparency and equality for a full year. The number of beneficiaries was nearly 4000 up until 2014. The CSR and HR departments also contributed to this initiative for an even greater positive impact on the community.

Zain also provided- through this initiative - training opportunities for people with special needs, which are fairly distributed among Sudan's different states.

It is worth mentioning that Zain also acknowledges, supports and motivates talents in the Call Center to develop their managerial skills and methods, thus ensuring better performance.