ShareKUWAIT: Zain has announced a partnership with Nestlé Kuwait, INJAZ Al-Arab, and INJAZ Kuwait to kick-off the Sustainability Heroes initiative. The program aims to empower Kuwaiti youth and university students to excel in the field of entrepreneurship, with a focus on addressing social and environmental challenges to create a sustainable future. The partnership was announced during a press conference held at Zain’s headquarters in Shuwaikh, attended by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait; Salam Abdel Baki, General Manager of Nestlé Kuwait; Laila Al-Mutairi, CEO of INJAZ Kuwait; and senior executives and teams from all three partners.
The Sustainability Heroes initiative will enable 200 university students to acquire essential knowledge and skills for success in entrepreneurship, with a focus on sustainable ventures. The program offers youth unique opportunities to explore innovative solutions to pressing environmental and social challenges. The initiative is being launched in line with the Company Program, organized by INJAZ to empower aspiring Kuwaiti youth. Zain has supported this competition annually as part of its nearly two-decade-long strategic partnership with INJAZ, dating back to the association’s inception in 2005.
Over the years, Zain has supported various academic and training initiatives led by INJAZ, investing in the potential and creativity of Kuwaiti youth, helping them pursue their ambitions in entrepreneurship, and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the job market. Commenting on the partnership, Waleed Al-Khashti said: “Our long-term partnership with INJAZ continues to bring tangible outcomes each year through innovative programs and initiatives that achieve our shared vision of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and investing in the talents and creativity of Kuwaiti youth, who consistently demonstrate excellence in all fields.”
He added: “Today, we welcome Nestlé to this partnership—a step that will undoubtedly open new doors and opportunities for ambitious Kuwaiti youth to gain firsthand experience and skills from our pioneering expertise in technology and nutrition. Together, we will show participants how we harness innovation to drive sustainable growth, and we look forward to nurturing their talents and sharing our passion for digital innovation throughout the program.”
Salam Abdel Baki said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners for their invaluable support of Sustainability Heroes, which falls under our Nestlé Needs Youth initiative. This program is vital for empowering local youth and nurturing Kuwaiti talent, demonstrating Nestlé’s commitment to helping young people develop the skills necessary for fulfilling careers or to start their own businesses.”
Laila Hilal Al-Mutairi, CEO of INJAZ Kuwait, stated: “One of the main objectives of this initiative is to foster sustainable entrepreneurship. This initiative enables students to explore innovative solutions that address environmental and social challenges within our community, through their participation in the INJAZ Company Program, which equips students with the necessary skills to establish successful business. This ensures a more sustainable future for upcoming generations, drives economic growth, and creates future job opportunities.”
As part of this partnership, the Sustainability Heroes initiative by Nestlé and the Company Program competition by INJAZ will transform classrooms into platforms for launching startups. Students will develop entrepreneurial and business management skills while gaining insights from experienced business leaders from Zain, Nestlé, and INJAZ. Participants will also receive tailored training and mentorship from Nestlé teams.
The annual Company Program competition equips students with hands-on experience in establishing and managing their startups. Throughout the competition, expert volunteers from various private-sector institutions in Kuwait train participating students on fundamental business skills.
Through these real-world experiences and mentorship opportunities, students acquire critical management skills and tools for building successful ventures, enhancing their qualifications for the job market. Participants will also benefit from interview sessions for internship opportunities at Nestlé Kuwait and Zain, providing them with real-life exposure to dynamic work environments.
Through this partnership, Zain seeks to empower youth passionate about developing their ideas and projects into reality. This is achieved through year-round training programs, including the Company Program competition and Sustainability Heroes, continually striving to provide an inspiring environment for youth creativity and innovation in Kuwait.
