Abdulaziz Yaqoub Al-Babtain Named CEO of the Year 2026
In a new milestone reflecting its continued excellence and leadership journey, Ooredoo Kuwait proudly announced that it has won two prestigious awards at the 2026 Asian Telecom Awards. The company was crowned “Telecom Company of the Year” for the third consecutive year, while Abdulaziz Yaqoub Al-Babtain was named “CEO of the Year 2026.”
This recognition reaffirms the strength of the company’s institutional strategy, the effectiveness of its executive leadership, and its outstanding performance within the global telecommunications sector.
Ooredoo Kuwait was honored at one of the industry’s most prominent international gatherings during a distinguished ceremony held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore. The event brought together leading executives and decision-makers from across the telecommunications and technology sectors in Asia.
Issa Haider, Chief Technology Officer at Ooredoo Kuwait, received the two awards on stage before an audience of global telecom and technology leaders. The moment reflected the company’s growing regional influence and strengthening international presence, presenting a Kuwaiti success story capable of competing and excelling on the world stage, further reinforcing Kuwait’s position as a regional hub for digital transformation and innovation.
International Recognition of Leadership Behind a Transformational Year
Ooredoo Kuwait’s recognition in Singapore crowned an exceptional year marked by significant achievements led by CEO Abdulaziz Yaqoub Al-Babtain. With a clear strategic vision focused on sustainable growth and institutional integration, the company achieved strong financial and operational performance in 2025, driven by increased revenues and profitability, expansion of its customer base, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The dual recognition from Asian Telecom also reflected the company’s digital innovation initiatives under executive leadership. Throughout 2025, Ooredoo continued investing in the development of its networks and operational technologies, advancing automation, strengthening technological maturity, and enhancing system readiness to support Kuwait’s digital transformation agenda — while maintaining a strong focus on improving customer experience and delivering efficient digital services and solutions.
The company earned this recognition for its tangible achievements, which reinforced its position as a strategic national partner leading Kuwait’s integrated telecommunications ecosystem. Under Al-Babtain’s leadership, Ooredoo concluded impactful cooperation agreements with both public and private sector entities, aimed at expanding its digital services portfolio and strengthening integration between telecommunications and key national sectors.
These partnerships included qualitative initiatives to support and develop local content through the “51” platform, including collaborations with Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) and Kuwait Airways. These efforts helped showcase Kuwaiti production, enhance its digital presence, and extend the company’s impact beyond the traditional boundaries of the telecom sector.
Driven by executive leadership’s vision that human capital is the true engine of successful transformation, Ooredoo Kuwait has placed the empowerment of national talent and youth at the core of its institutional strategy. The company adopted an integrated approach focused on preparing a new generation of digital leaders through advanced leadership development programs, academic partnerships, and specialized training initiatives aligned with the latest developments in the technology sector.
This commitment extends beyond the company itself to the wider community through support for youth initiatives, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, and active community engagement — striking a balanced approach between sustainable growth, operational excellence, and social responsibility.
In light of this international recognition, Ooredoo Kuwait reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive institutional path built on innovation, operational discipline, and sustainable investment in people and technology. The company emphasized that this achievement is not a passing milestone, but rather a continuation of a clear strategic vision aimed at strengthening Kuwait’s digital readiness, enhancing regional competitiveness, and building long-term value for customers, shareholders, and society.
Since its establishment in 1999, Ooredoo Kuwait has solidified its position as a trusted national partner leading the development of the telecommunications sector through the advancement of its digital infrastructure, empowerment of national talent, and expansion of its societal impact.
With this 2026 recognition, the company confidently moves into a new phase of growth and innovation, supported by strategic leadership and an ambitious vision aligned with the evolving digital future of Kuwait and the region.