A major step in its expansion strategy to become a leading ICT provider in the region, ZainTech, Kuwait-based telecom operator Zain Group’s digital and ICT services division, will be acquiring the managed cloud provider Bios Middle East, which operates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. 

“ZainTech is a key part of Zain’s value accretive ‘4Sight’ strategy centered on evolving Zain’s core telecom business to maximize value and build on the company’s many strengths to selectively invest in growth verticals beyond standard mobile services,” said  Bader Al Kharafi, vice chairman and group chief executive at Zain, in a statement.

The acquisition will cause the operations of Bios Middle East to be fully integrated into ZainTech over the following 12 to 18 months, pending regulatory approvals.

As it works to become a tech partner for businesses and governments in the area, Andrew Hanna, chief executive of ZainTech, said the company is concentrating on organic growth and acquisitions of value-adding businesses.

“Managed cloud is a highly relevant and critical business area for our region, and with Bios’ established strong customer base, years of experience, and exceptional team, this strategic acquisition will supercharge our capabilities in hybrid and multi-cloud managed services and expand our offerings,” Hanna added.

Bios has provided managed services and cloud solutions since 2002, serving more than 300 national and international clients. More than 140 Bios personnel in the area, according to the statement, are capable of offering a variety of services, including managed multi-cloud access, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, security as a service, infrastructure as a service, and disaster recovery services.

“Bios shares with ZainTech the goal to become the region’s leading multi-cloud managed service provider. This deal will allow us to accelerate and scale towards that goal, with further benefits to both our customers and people,” said Dominic Docherty, managing director at Bios Middle East.