Zain Group announced on April 28 the launch of the ‘Zain Regulatory Academy’ in partnership with GSMA Advance, the learning and skills arm of GSMA. The initiative is part of Zain’s Inclusion, Diversity & Equity University (IDEU) and aims to provide accredited training for its policy and regulatory professionals across eight Middle East and Africa markets.
The program is designed to address the growing need for specialized expertise as digital technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Internet of Things, and data-driven models shape increasingly complex regulatory environments. The academy offers access to GSMA Advance’s ‘Best Practice in Public Policy & Regulatory Impact Accreditation’, which combines online modules, expert-led seminars, practical assignments, and region-specific content on topics such as spectrum management, mobile privacy, cybersecurity, competition policy, fintech regulation and more.
Dr. Andrew Arowojolu, Zain Group Chief Regulatory Officer said: “The Zain Regulatory Academy extends our people-first investment into a highly specialized capability area that is becoming increasingly central to the future sustainability of our industry. As operating environments evolve, this learning initiative strengthens governance, alignment, and sustainable growth through capability-building our teams with globally informed expertise, practical regulatory insight and the confidence to shape sector-defining conversations that support the economic visions of the nations we serve.”
Dr. Drew MacFarlane, Head of GSMA Advance said: “We are delighted to welcome Zain Group as a GSMA Advance People Excellence Partner. This collaboration reflects a clear commitment to investing in people as a driver of organizational success. By supporting their policy and regulatory professionals through structured, globally recognized accreditation, Zain is not only strengthening its internal expertise but also setting a benchmark for excellence across the industry.” He continued: “As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve alongside new technologies and business models, organizations must ensure their teams are equipped not just with knowledge but with validated industry-recognized capabilities. This partnership is a strong example of how leading operators are taking proactive steps to build those capabilities at scale.”
According to information released by Zain Group about IDEU’s flagship platform with Spain’s IE University since 2023—2,000 employees have participated in digital transformation programs including master’s pathways; there has been a 92% course pass rate; over 800 active master’s students; more than 10 thousand certificates awarded; and over 100 thousand training hours completed.
The launch marks another step in building robust governance frameworks within Zain while fostering talent development aligned with global best practices.
