Zain partners with DOCOMO Digital, Apigee to boost its digital strategy

Zain will initially launch the platform with a pilot phase in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and will be thereafter gradually extended to all Zain operations.

To introduce this API programme and connect its operating companies across the region onto a single enablement platform, Zain will work alongside the Apigee team at Google Cloud as the API platform provider, FOO, a regional mobile digital solutions entity as the developer, and Shift Technologies, the Apigee Edge API Platform implementer in the Middle East region.

Zain has partnered with DOCOMO Digital as its first new content partner using the new API layer. DOCOMO Digital offers a mobile commerce ecosystem-enabling platform that encourages financial inclusion for citizens worldwide.

Zain Kuwait and Zain Saudi Arabia will be the first operators to offer DOCOMO Digital’s services. The API platform is set to give opportunities for large digital players and individual developers alike to be able to launch services to Zain customers in a reduced amount of time.

In due course, with the new open source digital enablement platform available at each of its operations, Zain will be able to offer Internet service providers, other mobile network operators, and its own customers the following features:

• Direct Operator Billing, SMS, Location-Based Service and Identity Services;
• A streamlined engagement model with a single contract offering access to other APIs;
• Centralised support for fast-track new partner integration;
• Centralised reconciliation services and reporting.

The agreement with Google and DOCOMO Digital will bolster Zain’s efforts to further leverage the capable operations of FOO, a mobile digital solutions developer in which Zain holds a strategic stake. FOO’s expertise in implementing and managing this platform played a critical part of the development of the API. FOO will further support the rollout of the API platform across other Zain markets.

For more information about DOCOMO Digital, please check out a detailed profile of this company in our dedicated, industry-specific online company database.