Thought Leadership Circle: Accelerating Technology & AI Implementation / Kuwait

HE Omar Saud Alomar is the Minister of State for Communications Affairs, overseeing the efforts of Kuwait's Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), the Ministry of Communications (MOC), and the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA). His distinguished career spans information technology, internal audit, and commercial operations, with extensive experience in mobile telecommunications. He has led internal audit functions across 20 operators in Africa and the Middle East, served on various boards, and held CEO positions. Notably, as was head of commercial for Zain Kuwait, and he led market-defining initiatives during a period of significant change, including the rollout of LTE technology, customer care enhancements, and cost optimization efforts. He was also appointed Chairman and CEO of CITRA, where he played a crucial role in steering Kuwait's digital transformation and regulatory frameworks. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from California State University-Sacramento.

Sheikh Ahmad Duaij Jaber Al Sabah has been Chairman of the Commercial Bank of Kuwait since 2018, after holding the position of vice chairman from 2015-2018 and board member from 2012-2015. He is also the Chairman of Kuwait Banking Association effective and became a member in World Union of Arab Bankers in 2022. Al Sabah has been a board member of Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies from 2018. He graduated with an MBA from the Maastricht School of Management after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in science with a major in finance from Bentley College in the US.

Mohammad Mulla Yaqoub has served as Deputy Director General for Business Development at the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) since March 2015, bringing over 18 years of local, regional, and international experience in business development. His responsibilities include shaping KDIPA's strategy, promoting Kuwait globally, and developing economic zones. Elected as Vice President of the WAIPA Steering Committee in 2023, he actively participates in international forums on investment and business climate. Previously, he held marketing and brand development roles at Zain Group, leading the transformation from MTC to MTC-Vodafone across the Middle East and Africa, showcasing his expertise in project management, team building, and fostering positive organizational culture.

Abdullah Khaled Al-Ajmi has more than 30 years of experience in the IT and electronic payments sector, including 13 years as CEO of KNET. He holds a degree in computer engineering from Kuwait University.

Nawaf Hisham Al-Gharabally has held the position of Zain Kuwait CEO since March 2024. He has an impressive 25-year track record of success within Zain and the telecoms industry across the Middle East and Africa. Al-Gharabally has held roles as Zain Group and Zain Kuwait CTO prior to his latest appointment. Al-Gharabally joined the Zain family in 1998, and over the years has developed to become a key member of the organization's executive management team. He possesses extensive experience across a number of disciplines covering mobile technologies, digital transformation, strategy, and management with multiple career highlights, notably Zain Kuwait emerging as the first company to successfully launch 5G services in the Gulf region, under his leadership in 2019. Al-Gharabally graduated from Kuwait University in 1998 with a cachelor's degree in engineering, and went on to attain an MBA from London Business School in 2021.

Ammar Abdullah Boumijdad brings over 25 years of banking expertise, having held senior roles at Gulf Bank, Kuwait Finance and Investment Co. (KFIC), and BBK-Kuwait, among others. He has extensive experience in Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, and Trade Finance, managing portfolios across industries like ICT, Oil & Gas, and Manufacturing. Currently the Country Head for Mashreq Bank-Kuwait, Boumijdad oversees all business operations and ensures regulatory compliance. Academically, he holds a BEng in Communications Engineering, an MBS from the University of Kent, and a certificate in credit management, and he participated in Kuwait’s National Project for Leaders’ Development (Thukhur).

Esam Al-Kheshnam joined KNET in 2022 as the CEO and brings with him over 30 years of experience in the IT and financial services industry. Prior to joining KNET, he held several leadership roles including CEO of International Turnkey Systems, IT strategic department manager at the Central Bank of Kuwait, executive vice president for sales and COO at Path Solutions, business development manager for the financial services industry at Hasibat Information Technologies, and the business development manager at Gulf Business Machines. He also serves as board of director in the Industrial Bank of Kuwait. Alkheshnam holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the University of the Pacific in California as well as the General Management Program from Harvard Business School.

Shaymaa Al-Terkait is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving digital transformation in Kuwait. In 2023, she was appointed Country Manager for Google Cloud in Kuwait. As the senior lead, she is responsible for establishing the company's presence, including spearheading expansion initiatives, driving the government's digital transformation programs and positioning Kuwait as a regional tech hub. Prior to this role, she spent a decade at Microsoft, building relationships and solutions for entrepreneurs, enterprises, and the public sector. Later, as a government advisor, she spearheaded initiatives that accelerated Kuwait's digital transformation. She also guided technology strategies as a board member for Wafra Real Estate and Al-Rawdatain Water Bottling Company. In 2022, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of CITRA, solidifying her leadership in Kuwait's digital landscape. A passionate advocate for women in STEM-D, she mentors young women and is a frequent speaker promoting technology in the region. She holds a bachelor's degree in software engineering and an MBA from London Business School.

Sundus Bushahri leads SAP Kuwait. She is primarily responsible for SAP’s in-country presence and growth strategy, including sales, marketing, and operations. She is committed to driving and strengthening SAP’s diversity and inclusion culture and sustainability goals. With 15 years of experience in top international companies in different roles and leadership positions, she has established strategic partnerships, helping customers achieve their transformational goals and vision focusing on their customer value journey in an ever-evolving digital economy. She joined SAP in 2022 as vice president for business development and sales in Kuwait, where she built strong relationships and achieved significant success. Before SAP, she enjoyed a successful career with Oracle. She holds a bachelor of science in software engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida.

Mohammed Al-Kharafi has been with NBK for over 23 years, starting in 2001. After becoming Branch Manager, he transitioned to Group Operations in 2010, holding various leadership roles before his current position as Chief Operating Officer at NBK Group. With extensive experience in retail banking and operations, Al-Kharafi has served on the Board of the Credit Information Network Company (Ci-Net). He is also the executive sponsor of NBK’s Intelligent Automation Program and a key advocate for the bank’s digital transformation, focusing on efficiency and enhancing customer experiences. Al-Kharafi holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Arab Open University and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School, Chicago Booth, and the American University of Beirut.

Hessa Almuzaini is a Kuwaiti national with a strong background in support and operations. She holds a master’s degree in computer engineering from Kuwait University, where she graduated in 2008, and a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from the same institution, graduating in 2005. She has been working at the Central Bank of Kuwait since 2005, starting as a trainee systems engineer and progressing to her current role as Manager of Information Systems and Operations Department. In this role, she manages a team of over 100 responsible for in-house development projects, infrastructure, and technical support. Throughout her career, she has participated in numerous training courses and conferences, including executive programs from Harvard, Imperial College, and FranklinCovey. She is known for her expertise in various technologies, operating systems, and databases.

Silvia Lambiase is Senior Country Editor at The Business Year. She has wide-ranging experience working in economic analysis, media, business development, and marketing in various countries, including the UK, Nigeria, the UAE, Oman, and Kazakhstan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international economic relations from La Sapienza University of Rome and an MSc in economics and finance from the University of Liverpool.