At GITEX 2025, ZainTECH’s CEO outlines the company’s AI-first strategy, regional digital leadership, and enterprise transformation efforts.
DUBAI: At GITEX 2025, ZainTECH — the integrated digital solutions arm of Zain Group — is highlighting its AI-first strategy for enterprise transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). With a focus on artificial intelligence, digital services, cloud, cybersecurity, robotics, and modern infrastructure, the company aims to demonstrate how intelligent technologies are enabling organisations to become more agile, resilient, and data-driven.
The Brew News sat down with Andrew Hanna, CEO of ZainTECH, to discuss the company’s evolving strategy, how it supports governments and enterprises in their digital journeys, and what’s next for the regional tech leader.
The Brew News: What are the key highlights of ZainTECH’s participation at GITEX 2025?
Andrew Hanna: This year marks our third consecutive year at GITEX, and it’s a significant milestone in ZainTECH’s evolution. Our focus is on demonstrating how digital, intelligent, and resilient solutions come together to create measurable impact for customers.
We’re showcasing innovations that combine data, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity with industry-specific use cases. The idea is not just to talk about digital transformation but to show how it works in practice — through real customer experiences, case studies, and results. Our theme this year is about translating vision into value for enterprises across MENA.
The Brew News: : How does ZainTECH turn these digital and AI aspirations into practical outcomes for clients?
Andrew Hanna: It starts with truly understanding the customer’s challenge. We don’t believe in pushing a pre-set product and then trying to find a problem for it. Instead, we take a consultative approach — identifying where the real value lies and co-creating a solution around that.
This means working hand in hand with clients to apply the right technology that delivers visible, tangible outcomes. It’s a longer process than off-the-shelf solutions, but it drives much greater value in the long run.
The Brew News: How do you strike a balance between standardisation and customisation for different industries?
Hanna:
We avoid a cookie-cutter approach but also don’t believe in reinventing everything from scratch. The key is modularity — having adaptable digital building blocks that can be tailored for each industry.
Our differentiation lies in our ability to deliver intelligent, flexible solutions quickly and at scale, backed by deep regional knowledge and strong technology partnerships.
The Brew News: Many companies today are adopting AI. How does ZainTECH ensure it delivers real value and not just buzzwords?
Andrew Hanna: That’s an important point. AI for its own sake doesn’t solve problems. The real winners are the companies that use AI to address specific, relevant business challenges.
We stay focused on outcomes — how AI can make operations more efficient, predictive, and intelligent. The difference lies in how technology is applied to create value, not just how advanced it sounds.
The Brew News: The UAE is seen as a regional leader in digital transformation. How does this environment influence ZainTECH’s strategy?
Andrew Hanna: The UAE is an incredibly dynamic and forward-thinking market. The government plays a major role in driving digital transformation, setting a strong example for industries to follow.
As a company that primarily serves enterprise and government clients, we’re aligned with that vision. Our work is about enabling these organisations to serve their stakeholders better — whether that’s improving services, increasing efficiency, or enhancing citizen experiences.
We are proud to be at the centre of that ecosystem, helping both government and enterprise sectors keep pace with rapid technological change.
The Brew News: Data protection is a top priority for organisations today. How does ZainTECH ensure client data remains secure?
Andrew Hanna: Security and data protection are fundamental to everything we do. In every market we operate, we maintain in-country infrastructure, including secure data centres and cloud frameworks.
We also have strong governance, risk management, and compliance processes, along with appointed data protection officers and strict protocols to ensure customer data remains local and protected.
Additionally, we work closely with regulators and local government entities to maintain full transparency and compliance with regional data laws.
The Brew News: Are you collaborating with government entities on any major projects?
Andrew Hanna: Yes, absolutely. We are working with several government departments across the region on AI development, data modernisation, and cybersecurity initiatives. Many of these projects involve end-to-end transformation — from infrastructure upgrades to secure application development.
These collaborations are central to our mission of helping public sector organisations modernise and achieve operational excellence.
The Brew News: ZainTECH has expanded rapidly across the region. What’s next for your growth strategy?
Andrew Hanna: We are already present in eight countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, and Egypt. Our current focus is deepening our presence within these markets, strengthening customer relationships, and expanding the scope of our services.
Rather than entering new territories, our strategy now is to grow wider and deeper — bringing advanced capabilities to existing clients and ensuring that we remain their preferred digital transformation partner.
