Zain, Kuwait’s leading technology innovator, has sponsored the 11th e-Government Forum, themed “Digital Government and Integrated Service Strategy,” organized by the Kuwait Federation of Engineering Offices and Consulting Houses in collaboration with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), under the patronage of H.E. Minister of State for Telecommunications Affairs, Omar Al-Omar.
Zain participated in the forum’s opening ceremony alongside prominent officials from both the public and private sectors. The company’s support for the event aligns with its strategy to bolster the national economy and highlight the private sector’s role in advancing state-led digital transformation initiatives.
This participation underscores the spirit of cooperation between public and private sectors, combining efforts to drive economic growth. As a strategic partner to government bodies, Zain is deeply invested in national development plans, believing that future-focused investments are essential to addressing upcoming challenges.
Notable attendees included Abdullah Al-Ajmi, Acting Chairman of the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA); Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait; Hamad Al-Marzouq, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Meshal Al-Kandari, Chief Commercial Officer; and Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer.
The forum also featured Fatima Al-Qallaf, Head of Partnerships and Events at CAIT; Bader Al-Salman, President of the Kuwait Federation of Engineering Offices and Consulting Houses; Hannes Astok, Chairman of Estonia’s e-Governance Academy; Shaima Al-Terkait, Country Manager of Google Cloud Kuwait; and Sundus Boushehri, Executive Director of SAP Kuwait.
Nawaf Al-Gharabally, CEO of Zain Kuwait, stated, “The strong link between economic growth and state projects encourages increased cooperation between government institutions and the private sector to achieve developmental goals. This forum showcases a vision of genuine collaboration and partnership.”
Al-Gharabally further noted, “Government initiatives to stimulate the economy are the driving force in aligning private sector efforts with sustainable development goals. Zain is committed to enhancing its strategic partnership with the public sector to support the nation’s strategic priorities, strengthening Kuwait’s competitiveness as a financial and commercial hub.”
He continued, “The lines between public and private institutions have blurred with the private sector’s growing role in national development. Amid today’s rapid global economic shifts and reliance on digital services, strategic partnerships with the public sector are vital to building a diversified knowledge-based economy.”
Al-Gharabally emphasized, “Technology has become the backbone of successful, sustainable governance, with digital transformation essential to government service infrastructure. Digital platforms are now citizens’ primary channel for services, and forums like this one encourage experience sharing and best practices to advance digital integration in the public sector.”
During the ceremony, Hamad Al-Marzouq delivered an opening speech, expressing, “We are delighted to support and partner with the 11th e-Government Forum, a key platform that unites decision-makers and specialists from both sectors to share expertise and contribute to mutual developmental objectives.”
He highlighted the successful growth of the Sahel app, which has provided a seamless digital experience to citizens and residents by connecting various government entities and enabling faster service completion, with over 60 million transactions processed since its launch.
Al-Marzouq added, “This digital transformation has shifted government services to be citizen-centric, unlike in the past. Technology has provided a unified platform for citizens, supporting the overarching goal of citizen convenience.”
He also recognized the impact of Sahel Business, which has enhanced Kuwait’s business environment, reduced bureaucracy, and empowered entrepreneurs and startups to achieve sustainable success.
Al-Marzouq reaffirmed Zain’s support for the public sector, stating, “Our early investment in emerging technologies such as AI has positioned Zain as a leading strategic partner in the government’s digital transformation efforts, contributing to the ‘New Kuwait 2035’ vision and economic growth. The private sector is integral to local development plans.”
He explained, “We collaborate closely with global tech leaders like Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon to realize this vision. Such partnerships form a strategic blueprint to advance Kuwait’s tech landscape, requiring joint public-private collaboration.”
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity strategies to counter the growing digital threats targeting individuals, governments, and organizations, appreciating the forum’s focus on this critical aspect.
At the forum, Zain showcased its latest digital solutions for the business sector, including AI-powered drones, cloud solutions, and more. Zain also participated in discussions on data governance, inter-agency data sharing, and maximizing returns from technology investments.
As a leader in digital services, Zain is committed to leveraging technology and AI to lead digital transformation and foster innovation. Zain’s business portfolio includes comprehensive solutions such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI-powered drones, 5G connectivity, and other advanced technologies to meet the needs of both public and private institutions, driving economic growth and supporting national development goals.
The e-Government Forum spans three days, bringing together major digital service providers, telecom and IT companies from Kuwait, the region, and beyond, with over 500 attendees, 30 speakers, 25 sponsors, and 20 presentations, alongside government partners and interactive panels.
Each year, the forum discusses pathways to enable Kuwait’s government institutions to transition toward an advanced digital governance model, establishing an integrated, efficient system through digital transformation and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles.
This year, the forum features distinguished participation from Estonia’s e-Governance Academy (eGA), a leader in digital society initiatives. Since 2002, eGA has partnered with over 290 organizations in 143 countries to build open, democratic digital societies, enhancing citizens’ quality of life and supporting transparent governance worldwide.
