Zain Group, a telecom innovator in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, has announced a strategic collaboration with neXgen Group, a smart city advisory and consulting services provider based in the UAE. The cooperation will see both entities join forces in advising governments and mega real estate developers in facilitating the deployment of smart city solutions across the region.
The announcement was made at the World Congress in Barcelona at a signing ceremony attended by Zain Group Chairman Asaad Al Banwan, Zain Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer, neXgen MD Ghazi Atallah, senior executives from both Zain and neXgen as well as industry dignitaries and international media.
The operation with neXgen falls in line with and builds on the establishment in 2014 of the Zain Digital Frontier and Innovation (ZDFI) business unit, which is charged with launching Zain into the digital space with the view to growing the company through new innovative business streams that add to Zain’s customer service offerings. ZDFI primarily focuses on the areas of innovation; digital services; corporate venturing; and smart cities.
Zain has already identified substantial incremental revenue opportunities from the investment in smart city deployments in the Gulf region, and the strategic cooperation with neXgen Group will initially focus on smart city opportunities in key Zain operating markets.
Commenting on the collaboration, Zain Group CEO, Scott Gegenheimer said, “The smart city revolution is sweeping the region, and pairing Zain’s regional footprint and expertise as a communications provider with neXgen’s competence in smart city technology and services will fast-track Zain’s development and success in this space.”
Gegenheimer continued, “We believe in technology unlocking the potential of and transforming the way people live their lives and conduct their business. Given the coming together of the Internet of Things and the power of robust data applications, we are a strong proponent of smart city-styled developments that will empower and enhance the lives of millions of people across the region.”
Ghazi Atallah, Managing Director of NeXgen Group commented, “We are very excited to be entering this collaboration with Zain given the company’s pioneering credentials as a leading telecom provider across the region. Their innovation, experience, and professionalism are credentials we are set to benefit from, and I believe together we have a real opportunity to take the smart city concept to the next level.”
The cooperation will focus on delivering smart city technology solutions as a service and will include design and integration for applications including smart living in smart districts, smart safety and security, and smart education.
The concept of smart cities relates to the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance performance and wellbeing, to reduce costs and resource consumption, and to engage more effectively and actively with citizens. Key smart sectors include transport, energy, health care, water and waste. A smart city should be able to respond faster to city and global challenges than one with a simple transactional relationship with its citizens.
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