Deloitte and PwC to (Maaal): Digital transformation in the Kingdom is progressing steadily towards achieving Vision 2030 goals

By: Mamdoh Almalki

Officials from major accounting and financial consulting companies confirmed to (Maaal) the importance of digital transformation as it is progressing steadily towards achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Whether through providing advanced technical solutions, cooperating with emerging companies, or supporting the public and private sectors, major global companies play a pivotal role in promoting innovation and economic growth in the Kingdom.

Radad Ayoub, Partner in Cybersecurity Services at PwC Middle East, spoke to (Mal) on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 conference held in Riyadh, about the “CISO500” program launched by PwC Middle East in cooperation with “Sirar” Company, affiliated with stc, which aims to train 500 information security officers by 2030. This program is a strategic step aimed at enhancing the skills of leaders in the field of cybersecurity, and qualifying them to deal with the increasing digital threats, which contributes to strengthening the digital infrastructure in a safe and sustainable manner in the Kingdom.

For his part, Faisal Daras, Partner at Deloitte Middle East, explained that their participation in “LEAP 25” aims to confirm Deloitte’s commitment to supporting digital transformation in the region. Daras pointed out that Deloitte’s pavilion showcases the latest technological solutions in the fields of generative artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and sustainability. He added that the exhibition provides visitors with a unique opportunity to interact with presentations and influential dialogues that focus on advanced technology applications in various sectors, reflecting Deloitte’s vision to accelerate digital transformation by providing innovative solutions that are in line with the strategic needs of organizations in the region. Regarding innovative technical solutions, Radad Ayoub spoke about PwC Middle East’s recent launch of a document on the importance of cybersecurity in supporting the growth of electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia. With electric vehicle sales expected to reach 64% of the market by 2035, the importance of digital infrastructure in the Kingdom will increase. Ayoub added that PwC Middle East is aware of the cyber challenges associated with this transformation, and through this document seeks to highlight the importance of advanced security strategies to protect networks and secure user data, to ensure the reliability of operations and protect electric mobility in the Kingdom.

Regarding Deloitte, Faisal Daras pointed out the launch of the Silicon-2-Service service during the exhibition, which aims to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in the Middle East. The service is based on industry best practices in terms of production and deployment, in addition to integrating artificial intelligence with private cloud infrastructure. Daras said that the service relies on advanced technology platforms such as NVIDIA, and helps companies improve the performance of their operations using artificial intelligence, which contributes to achieving tangible results on the ground.

Regarding the role of digital technology in the Kingdom, it is clear from talking to Ayoub and Daras that both companies see digital transformation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a major driver of economic growth and a fundamental element in business strategies. Ayoub said: “We see that the Kingdom is moving steadily towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030 by strengthening digital infrastructure and adopting advanced technologies. This is a fundamental pillar for improving the operational efficiency of companies and supporting innovation in various sectors.” For his part, Dras explained: “The Kingdom is making remarkable progress in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and this progress is part of the Kingdom’s strategy to improve digital stability and enhance the resilience of the Saudi economy.” He added that the Kingdom ranked first in the Cybersecurity Index for 2024, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing digital sustainability and data protection in all sectors. Regarding strategic partnerships with emerging companies in the region, Radad Ayoub confirmed that PwC Middle East focuses on cooperating with emerging technology companies to enhance innovation and provide innovative solutions to its clients in various sectors. He explained that PwC is developing strategic partnerships with emerging companies working in the fields of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain, with the aim of improving institutional performance and enhancing the growth of companies in the region.

Faisal Daras from Deloitte also pointed out that the company is collaborating with key partners in the public and private sectors, as well as with startups, to support the adoption of emerging technologies in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud, and sustainability. He added that Deloitte is working to develop these partnerships to support innovation and provide flexible and specialized solutions to meet the needs of the local market. Speaking about future expectations, Radad Ayoub said that digital transformation will continue to have a significant impact on various industries in the Kingdom, including the oil and gas sector, healthcare, education, and the financial sector. Ayoub added that PwC Middle East is working closely with public and private companies to achieve the goals of digital transformation in the Kingdom, noting that this transformation contributes to increasing the Kingdom’s competitiveness at the global level. Faisal Daras confirmed that digital transformation will have a profound impact on all industries in the Kingdom. He said: “We see new sectors such as sports, travel, and tourism witnessing unprecedented growth in the Kingdom, and we at Deloitte provide solutions that help these sectors make the most of the new digital capabilities.” He added that expectations indicate that digital transformation will enhance innovation and growth in the Kingdom, which will contribute to improving the Kingdom’s ability to compete globally.

Radad Ayoub also pointed out that PwC Middle East supports the digital transformation of government and private institutions in the Kingdom through strategic consulting and innovative technology solutions that contribute to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainable innovation. PwC is considered a leading company in providing advanced technology solutions that support the achievement of the goals of Vision 2030.

In the same context, Faisal Daras said that Deloitte seeks to support government and private institutions in adopting modern technologies by providing integrated solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence, data, cloud, and cybersecurity. He explained that Deloitte provides advanced technology solutions that help organizations adapt to digital challenges and achieve sustainable growth.