Zain South Sudan

What Zain South Sudan does

Zain South Sudan is a licensed mobile telecommunications and information technology services provider operating exclusively in the Republic of South Sudan, headquartered in Juba and legally constituted as Mobile Telecommunications Company South Sudan Limited. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zain Group, a Boursa Kuwait-listed telecommunications multinational (ticker: ZAIN) serving approximately 50.6 million customers across eight Middle East and African markets as of December 2023. Zain South Sudan was the first operator to migrate to the new +211 country code following South Sudan's independence and the first to accommodate inbound roaming subscribers during early operational challenges in the country.

The company's underlying technology is a 4G mobile network nationwide with 4.75G experience capability in selected locations across Central Equatoria State. Service distribution runs through direct enterprise sales, an extensive Point of Sale (POS) partner network (incentivized via the Million Campaign), retail stores/kiosks, and USSD self-service codes (*123#, *103#, *106#, *190#) supported by a 123 call center and WhatsApp customer care. The product portfolio spans prepaid bundles (SAWA Plan daily/monthly, Eezee Net, Flex with a 25% bonus, JUNUBI Offers, Sultan Deals), postpaid business plans (CUG, hybrid data at 5/10/20GB), enterprise ICT (DIA, managed security, call center, hosted IP telephony, SIP Trunk, APN), Bulk SMS Banking, ATM Corporate Solutions, My Tune caller-tune advertising, international roaming, and Travel eSIM.

Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-recurring prepaid mobile services (voice, data, SMS bundles) and postpaid business subscriptions, complemented by managed-service revenue from enterprise ICT and usage-based international roaming. The company segments its base into individual prepaid consumers (primary), business and corporate postpaid customers (primary), enterprise and government clients, and international travelers. Pricing is denominated in South Sudanese Pounds and is subject to a regulated tariff exchange rate framework jointly administered with the Bank of South Sudan and the National Communications Authority. With 184 employees and no standalone revenue disclosure, the operation functions as a relatively small subsidiary within Zain Group's regional footprint.

Name

Zain South Sudan

Legal name

Mobile Telecommunications Company South Sudan Limited

Website

https://ss.zain.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Zain South Sudan is a Juba-based mobile telecommunications and ICT services provider, wholly-owned by Zain Group, serving individual consumers, businesses, and government clients across South Sudan via 4G/4.75G networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Telecommunications Services

NAICS

Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), All Other Telecommunications (517810)

SIC

Radiotelephone Communications (4812), Telegraph & Other Message Communications (4822)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Mobile Network Operators (Retail MNOs) (HDAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Mobile Operators (HDAIAAAG), VoIP Access & ITSP Services (HDAIAHAD)

Keywords

• Mobile telecommunications services
• Mobile data services
• Enterprise ICT solutions
• International roaming services
• Prepaid mobile plans

Headquarters

HQ city

Juba

HQ country

South Sudan

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Prepaid Mobile Services: Prepaid voice, data, SMS, and bundle services sold to individual consumers via airtime, data bundles, and promotional offers.
2. Postpaid Business Services: Postpaid mobile and data plans for business customers including Closed User Group (CUG), corporate postpaid services, and dedicated business solutions.
3. Enterprise ICT Solutions: DIA (Direct Dial In & Out), managed ICT services, managed security services, call center solutions, bulk SMS platform, and hosted IP telephony for enterprise clients.
4. International Roaming: International roaming services allowing customers to use SIM cards abroad with roaming subscribers able to use Zain network while in South Sudan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Zain South Sudan provides mobile telecommunications services across South Sudan, including prepaid and postpaid voice, SMS, mobile data bundles (SAWA Plan, Flex Bundles, Eezee Net, Sultan Deals), international roaming, and enterprise ICT solutions such as DIA (Direct Dial In/Out), managed ICT/security services, bulk SMS, and postpaid data plans. The operator runs a 4G nationwide network with 4.75G experience in selected Central Equatoria State locations.

Product overview

Zain South Sudan is a telecommunications operator providing a comprehensive suite of mobile communications and digital services. The product portfolio includes voice services (Voice Freedom with cross-network calling, Roaming, Business Landline), data services (SAWA Plan with daily and monthly packages, Mobile Internet, 4G/4.75G network), and business solutions (DIA Service with ICT offerings, Postpaid services, Bulk SMS, My Tune). The offerings are delivered through multiple channels including prepaid and postpaid plans, with value-added services like Flex Bundles providing 25% bonus credits. The company operates primarily under the Zain Group brand, with campaigns like Sultan Deals bundling JUNUBI voice/data offers with smartphone promotions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAWA Plan Data bundle packages for prepaid subscribers with daily options (500MB for 6,850 SSP, 3GB for 35,900 SSP) and monthly tiers from 15GB to 250GB (143,600 to 789,800 SSP). Subscribed via USSD codes *106*1*1#, *106*1*3#, and *106*3*1# through *106*3*7#.
• Flex Bundles Subscription service offering a 25% bonus on every activation, providing extra value to prepaid subscribers who dial *103# to subscribe.
• Roaming Service International roaming service allowing subscribers to use their Zain SIM cards while traveling abroad with partner mobile operators. Prepaid roaming is auto-activated; postpaid requires activation at authorized offices.
• Voice Freedom Voice calling service enabling subscribers to use Zain voice minutes to call any mobile network in South Sudan at the lowest rates with no same-network or Zain-to-Zain call restrictions.
• Mobile Internet (Business) Business mobile internet solutions including Closed User Group (CUG) offers, Corporate & Individual Postpaid Services, and Data Connectivity services for business teams.
• DIA Service Enterprise ICT service portfolio providing Direct Dial In & Out (DDI & DDO) for PABX systems, Managed ICT Services, Managed Security Services, Collaboration and telephony services, Bulk SMS Platform, and Hosted IP Telephony for enterprise clients.
• My Tune Caller Tune Advertisement Service enabling businesses to replace traditional ring-back music with customized promotional content, advertisements, or brand messages for callers.
• Bulk SMS Bulk SMS Platform for businesses to increase brand awareness and reach target audiences through SMS marketing and large-scale corporate messaging.
• Business Landline Business landline services offering Voice Plans, Short Numbers, Toll Free Numbers, and SIP Trunk Service for enterprise customers.
• Postpaid Hybrid Data Plan Postpaid hybrid data plan offering 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB monthly data options for corporate customers, activated via USSD *190#.
• Travel eSIM Digital eSIM service for international travelers providing outbound connectivity options for South Sudanese subscribers traveling abroad.
• Sultan Deals Consumer campaign bundling JUNUBI Offers (unlimited voice bundles and affordable data) with FLEX value boosts and a 6GB smartphone welcome bonus (1GB/month over 6 months) for new smartphone activations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Environmental pillar scored 10/10 (best-in-class recognition)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Business Disability Forum (BDF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Strategic partnership to embed accessibility into procurement processes. Zain is the first telecom operator in MENA to partner with BDF, advancing the Accessible Products and Services pillar of WE ABLE 2030 vision and opening access to BDF's global network of 600+ organizations.
• PurpleSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 December 2025Partnership with PurpleSpace, the networking and professional hub for disabled employees, to support the first Corporate Employee Resource Group (ERG) in the region for individuals with disabilities. PurpleSpace conducts case studies highlighting Zain and WE ABLE's role in driving meaningful change.
• Twic County RepresentativesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 July 2025Partnership with Twic County representatives (Hon. George Akot and Hon. Rehan Ajuet) to donate essential medical equipment and cover clinic staff costs for one full year to address urgent healthcare needs in Warrap State.
• University of JubacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2024Transformative partnership to launch a paid internship program as part of Zain Group's 'Gen Z' initiative. The program is designed to equip fresh graduates with skills, experience, and confidence to become future leaders, contributing to capacity building in South Sudan.
• The ButterflycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 November 2024UAE-based organization renowned for disability training that conducted a three-day 'Learn and Lead' program for 15 Masters from Zain's eight markets, focusing on Advocacy, Disability Awareness, Self-Empowerment, Leadership, Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills.
• Tecno MobileminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2024Partnership to unveil the Tecno Camon 30 series in Juba, bringing cutting-edge mobile devices to South Sudanese consumers with advanced technology and superior camera capabilities.
• Bank of South SudancoreOthers · 30 April 2024Collaborative effort with Bank of South Sudan and National Communications Authority to develop new regulated exchange rate for telecom tariffs, bringing market stability and transparent pricing.
• National Communications Authority (NCA)coreOthers · 30 April 2024Regulatory partner for telecom pricing, tariff adjustments, and communications sector oversight in South Sudan. NCA approved phased Telecommunications Tariff Exchange Rate Adjustment in June 2026.
• Kuwait Counseling Center (KCC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2021Psychological facility providing free online counseling and therapy sessions to all Zain employees Group-wide. KCC offers confidential assessments and therapy sessions supporting employees through challenging times as part of the BE WELL mental wellness strategy.
• International Labor Organization Global Business and Disability NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership to help achieve disability inclusion goals under Zain's WE ABLE initiative, supporting increased employment of people with disabilities and ensuring training programs and operating locations are disability inclusive.
• Valuable 500coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Zain became a member of the Valuable 500, a global collective of CEOs who aim to place disability on the leadership agenda, making disability inclusion a priority at the highest levels.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MTN Group: Pan-African telecom incumbent with operations across multiple SSA markets including South Sudan; offers voice, data, mobile money, and enterprise services at much greater scale than Zain South Sudan.
• Airtel Africa: Large African MNO group operating voice, data, and mobile money services across multiple SSA markets; representative of broader incumbent competitive dynamics relevant to Zain South Sudan's positioning.
• Vodacom: Major African telecom group (South Africa-led) with MNO and mobile money operations across multiple SSA markets; relevant as a benchmark for MNO business model evolution in emerging African markets.

Emerging players

• Mara Group: Pan-African mobile-first operator with focused presence in select markets including South Sudan (via its Mara South Sudan subsidiary); competes on smartphone financing and digital-first distribution in similar low-penetration environments.

Direct peers

• Africell South Sudan: Another mobile operator licensed in South Sudan, competing head-to-head with Zain and MTN on voice, data, and value-added services for individual consumers and SMEs in the same domestic market.
• Zain Sudan: Sister subsidiary under Zain Group, operating in neighboring Sudan with a similar mobile/enterprise product set and parent group playbook — useful for benchmarking operating metrics and product strategy.
• MTN South Sudan: Direct competitor in the South Sudanese mobile market, offering prepaid/postpaid voice and data services over its own 3G/4G network to similar consumer and enterprise segments. Closest like-for-like comparable on footprint, product mix, and target customers.

Regional players

• Smile Communications: 4G-focused mobile operator active in select East African markets (Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria); comparable as an emerging 4G/data-led challenger model relevant to Zain's 4G/4.75G strategy in South Sudan.

Others

• Huawei (carrier network equipment): Major supplier of mobile network infrastructure, including 4G/4.5G equipment used by emerging-market MNOs; relevant ecosystem participant given Zain South Sudan's 4G/4.75G expansion.
• National Communications Authority (South Sudan): South Sudan's telecom sector regulator governing licensing, spectrum, and tariff framework; directly relevant as the counterpart enabling Zain's regulated tariff FX adjustment and spectrum access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Zain_SSD
• Facebookfacebook.com/zainsouthsudan211
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zain-south-sudan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zain South Sudan