Abdelbagi Ahmed, Digital Enablement Senior Manager at Zain Group speaks with Teletimes International in exclusive interview
Teletimes: Let’s start by exploring your professional background. Could you shed some light on how your role has expanded and transformed over the years?
Ahmed: My professional journey commenced right after completing my education in 2001, stepping into the world of technology as a software engineer. This role was my entry point into the industry, where I dabbled in various developmental projects, gaining invaluable experience along the way. My career took a significant turn when I ventured into the telecommunications sector, initially joining Zain Sudan in 2005 as a charging system engineer. This position was the cornerstone of my career, where I specialized in charging systems, billing, and Business Support Systems (BSS), progressively taking on more responsibilities. My journey didn’t stop at a local level; as nine years later, I advanced to a group role based in Kuwait 2014, where I was entrusted with supporting the operations of seven operators across Zain’s Middle East and Africa footprint, currently serving a customer base of over 50 million people. This experience has been instrumental in my professional growth, offering me a comprehensive view of the telecommunications industry.
Teletimes: Digital transformation is a buzzword in today’s business landscape. Could you discuss Zain’s journey in digital transformation, particularly with BSS, and the challenges you’re navigating currently?
Ahmed: Tackling digital transformation is inherently complex, largely because ‘digital’ means different things to different people. When it comes to digital transformation, my perspective, honed over years of experience, is that it essentially enables an organization to adapt, survive, and flourish in an ever-changing environment. It’s about leveraging technology not just for the sake of innovation but to drive meaningful growth, enhance customer value, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. In the realm of BSS, this transformation takes a tangible form, allowing us to harness new technologies effectively. As we navigate through the era of 5G and anticipate the advent of 6G, our focus remains on how to monetize these technologies in a way that benefits our community at large. BSS is pivotal in this context, enabling fair and efficient monetization strategies that support every Zain operation’s digital transformation goals.
“Tackling digital transformation is inherently complex, largely because ‘digital’ means different things to different people.”
Teletimes: To distill your insights, would it be accurate to say that you view digital transformation as a process that emphasizes adaptability, scalability, and flexibility for the organization?
Ahmed: Absolutely, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Those three elements form the core of our digital transformation strategy, ensuring that Zain remains at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, ready to adapt to changes, scale operations efficiently, and maintain flexibility in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Teletimes: Considering the global shift towards post-pandemic recovery, how did 2023 unfold for Zain, especially in terms of commercialization, monetization, and infrastructure investments?
Ahmed: Reflecting on 2023, it’s clear that the year was fraught with challenges, yet it was a period of remarkable success for Zain, particularly from a BSS perspective. We embarked on multiple significant projects across our footprint, such as the launch of a pioneering BSS initiative in partnership with Huawei in Iraq as one example. This success is a testament to our strategic investment in technology and infrastructure, which has positioned us well for future advancements. Additionally, our exploratory work with 5.5G in Kuwait and KSA highlights our commitment to innovation. These experiences underscore our resilience and forward-thinking approach as we navigate the complex telecom landscape. Today, Zain provides 5G commercial services in Kuwait, KSA, Bahrain and most recently Jordan making Zain the regional leader in offering this hi-speed and reliable service. This technology is empowering our operations to offer appealing consumer and enterprise services that are driving revenue growth.
Teletimes: With the advent of AI and its increasing influence in the tech industry, how do you envision its integration within BSS and the broader future of Zain’s software initiatives?
Ahmed: The integration of AI into our operations, particularly within BSS, is a journey filled with both challenges and immense potential. While concepts like machine learning have been part of the technological discourse for years, effectively leveraging AI in a way that adds real value remains a key challenge. Our partnership with leading global solution providers has been instrumental in initiating this journey, allowing us to pilot AI applications within BSS successfully. These early forays into AI have not only demonstrated potential but have also paved the way for further exploration and integration of AI technologies. It’s about identifying and executing on use cases where AI can drive efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and ultimately contribute to our strategic goals. This journey is just beginning, but the promising results from our initial projects have set a solid foundation for the future.
“The integration of AI into our operations, particularly within BSS, is a journey filled with both challenges and immense potential. While concepts like machine learning have been part of the technological discourse for years, effectively leveraging AI in a way that adds real value remains a key challenge.“
Teletimes: As someone with a background in software engineering, what excites you the most about the current and future state of the industry?Ahmed: The industry’s pace of innovation and the potential for transformative technologies to shape our future excite me the most. The ongoing discussions around monetizing 5.5G, reminiscent of similar debates about 5G, underscore the continuous evolution of our industry. It’s not just about the telecom sector; it’s about how these technological advancements can foster innovation across communities and industries.
