Khaberni - Zain Group has entered into a strategic partnership in the areas of enhancing excellence in human capabilities with GSMA Advance, the educational and training arm of the GSMA, to launch the "Regulatory Academy".
Zain, a leader in technological innovations in the Middle East and Africa markets, stated that this collaboration - under the umbrella of the group’s Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity University (IDEU) - aims to offer certified training programs with GSMA Advance to build world-class expertise for regulatory teams in its operations, enabling them to anticipate change, interact with regulatory bodies, and contribute to shaping the future of the telecommunications and information technology industry.
The group reported that the new academy will allow teams responsible for regulatory, legal, and compliance operations access to globally recognized accreditation programs from GSMA Advance, which are based on an integrated training methodology that includes self-paced e-learning modules, expert-led seminars, practical applications, alongside region-specific content addressing key issues such as spectrum management, developments in 5th generation networks, the Internet of Things, mobile privacy, cybersecurity, competition policies, and financial technology in the digital age, among others.
It is worth mentioning that the GSMA Advance aims to develop the skills of personnel in the mobile communications sector through internationally accredited courses that offer programs in 5G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cybersecurity, also known as the "Learning and Skills Division at GSMA", and is considered a strategic partner for many institutions in building a future-ready workforce.
Zain pointed out that the academy, which is part of the group's IDEU initiative, will support the strategic objectives aimed at enhancing governance, unifying regulatory orientations in various markets, building a sustainable system for developing capabilities, and establishing the stature of regulatory and policy leaders as thought leaders at the industry level.
It added that this move will help enable Zain's teams to efficiently handle the complex regulatory environments shaped by 5th generation technologies, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and data-based business models, ensuring robust compliance, an active role in policy-making, and impactful contributions to digital ecosystems.
Zain’s Chief Regulatory Officer, Dr. Andrew Aruoguolo, stated, "The regulatory landscape is increasingly complex and of greater strategic importance, driven by artificial intelligence, 5th generation, and satellite technologies, and through the Regulatory Academy program, we are not only building knowledge but also building the capacity to influence."
He continued, "At Zain, we are equipping our teams to anticipate change, interact with regulatory bodies, and actively contribute to shaping the future of our industry, and through our partnership with GSMA Advance, we ensure that our teams are ready for change."
He further stated, "The Zain Regulatory Academy extends our investments that place the employee at the core of our priorities, within a highly specialized professional field increasingly central to the security and sustainability of the future of the telecommunications sector, and with the evolving work environments, this educational initiative enhances governance, unifies visions, and achieves sustainable growth, by providing the group’s teams with global expertise and practical regulatory insights."
On his part, the Head of GSMA Advance, Dr. Drew Macfarlane, said, "We are pleased to welcome Zain Group as a partner in the excellence program in human capabilities. This partnership reflects a clear commitment to investing in the human element as a fundamental driver for the success of institutions, and through supporting policy and regulatory staff with organized and globally recognized accreditation programs, Zain not only enhances its internal expertise but also sets a new standard for excellence at the sector level."
He added, "As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve in parallel with modern technologies and new business models, it is essential for institutions to have teams that are not only knowledgeable but also possess certified competencies recognized at the industry level. This partnership represents a leading model of how major operators are taking proactive steps to build these capabilities on a wide scale."
It is noted that the Regulatory Academy launched by Zain Group complements the platform of initiatives and programs of the leading IDEU University launched by the group in cooperation with IE University, Spain. Since 2023, IDEU University has engaged more than 2,000 employees in digital transformation programs, including paths to obtaining master’s degrees, achieving a success rate of 92%, with over 800 active in master’s programs, contributing to issuing more than 10,000 certificates, and delivering over 100,000 training hours.
