Zain Iraq and HONOR Forge Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize Iraq's Gaming and Esports Sector

Baghdad, Iraq, April 2025: As part of its strategy and commitment to supporting the gaming and esports landscape that attracts Iraqi youth, Zain Iraq, one of Zain Group's leading mobile telecommunications providers in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through its leading esports platform, Zain esports, with HONOR, the leading global smartphone brand. This groundbreaking partnership aims to transform Iraq's esports and gaming landscape, empowering professional competitors and grassroots talent to thrive in this rapidly evolving digital entertainment ecosystem.

Under this agreement, Zain and HONOR will co-organize and deliver world-class esports tournaments throughout Iraq. The partnership extends beyond competitions to include integrated marketing initiatives, featuring dynamic social media campaigns, strategic influencer partnerships, and immersive live-streaming experiences—all designed to catalyze Iraq's esports community while establishing HONOR as the preferred gaming smartphone brand of choice within Zain's digital gaming ecosystem. This multifaceted collaboration will further elevate the competitive experience through comprehensive tournament sponsorships, with HONOR providing state-of-the-art smartphones and gaming accessories as prizes, fostering deeper community engagement, and delivering specialized technical expertise to participants.

Commenting on the agreement, Emre Gurkan, CEO of Zain Iraq, said, "Through the Zain Esports platform, our dedicated esports brand, Zain reaffirms its dedication to delivering the ultimate online gaming experience. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to empowering Iraq’s youth and elevating the digital experiences of our subscribers, who continue to be the driving force behind everything we do. We strive to meet their needs by staying at the forefront of the latest developments and technologies in the e-gaming world. We are pleased to partner with HONOR, a global leader in smart devices, and combine our collective expertise to elevate the e-sports sector in Iraq."

Echoing this sentiment, The General Manager of HONOR Iraq, Debo Zhang said, "Our partnership with Zain Iraq holds particular significance as it provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our presence in the region and contribute to the flourishing e-sports sector, which is experiencing remarkable growth among youth, especially in Iraq. We will leverage our expertise and experience to enhance gaming experiences, develop player skills, and provide comprehensive support for tournaments and competitions."