Concord Times (Freetown)
Sahr Morris Jr.
25 June 2009
Concord — Leading mobile telecommunications operator, Zain has scooped two major honours at the prestigious 2009 Global Telecoms Business (GTB) Innovation Awards at a gala ceremony in London last week.
Zain's Zap mobile commerce service won the Innovation in Mobile Banking award, while Zain Group CEO, Dr Saad Al-Barrak won the Editor's Lifetime Achievement Award for personal contribution to the telecommunications industry.
The Editor of GTB, Alan Burkitt-Gray, in awarding Dr Al-Barrak said, "He is a dynamic and inspiring executive who is driving telecommunications forward. Under his leadership, one company has grown to become one of the fastest growing operators in the world, delivering to Zain's customers in Africa and the Middle East exciting services that are way beyond what is available in most other parts of the world. Zain has become one of the most exciting telecoms operators in the world under Dr Al-Barrak's command."
Dr Al-Barrak said, "Zain is changing how people look at telecommunications and the role mobile telephony plays in improving social and economic well-being. I accept this award on behalf of the entire workforce across all Zain's operations, without whose dedication, hard work and vision, we would not be where we are today.
"But now we must look to tomorrow and continue to provide our customers unique and much needed services fulfilling our brand promise of 'A Wonderful World'."
The Innovation in Mobile Banking Award given to Zap mobile commerce service is the latest chapter in Zain's efforts to not only push the boundaries of mobile communications, but also reshape the future of banking in Africa and soon in the Middle East.
"For any market in the world, the combination of services we are providing through Zap mobile commerce would be exciting," declared Dr Saad Al-Barrak, "but when set in an African context, the implications are especially profound given the critical economic needs of many Africans living in the countries in which Zain operates. In this sense, what we deliver contributes to more than just a healthy bottom line; it genuinely helps improve lives."
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