Innovation in the Saudi telecom industry is driving digital transformation nationwide, with the rollout of 5G mobile technologies and the adoption of digital-age technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing.
This has given rise to the essential framework for the footprint expansion of global IT companies such as SIGMA EMEA, founded back in 2015, as an IT consultancy provider and system integrator focused on the telecom sector.
Amid a fast-changing digital economy, Sigma EMEA plays an important role in delivering infrastructure that helps enhance businesses’ ability to respond quickly to changes in the Saudi market and realize the full capabilities of next-generation technology.
Besides Saudi Arabia, the company has operations in other markets in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. These include Egypt, the UAE, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Earlier in October, we sat down with Ahmed El Nabarawy, chief commercial officer and KSA office managing director for Sigma EMEA, to take a closer look at the company’s growth trajectory in Saudi.
Favorable Market Conditions Drive Innovation in Saudi Telecom Industry
Around four years ago, the company was considering the possibility of venturing into other markets, including Germany, but Saudi Arabia stood out as the company’s next destination of choice, mainly due to the market’s enormous potential. Findings of the company’s research at that time suggested a 60% rise in revenues in the event of setting up an office in Saudi Arabia.
According to El Nabarawy, the company has soared past these initial growth projections after expanding to Saudi Arabia, adding that it secured 6 major projects and built a pipeline of more than 16 potential opportunities in only 9 months.
“We thought it would take around two to four years to reach our projected increase, but things moved faster than anticipated. We’re thinking about doubling or tripling our revenue just from the Saudi market,” El Nabarawy revealed, crediting the instantly evolving telecom industry.
Propelling SIGMA EMEA’s smooth entry into the Saudi market was the support it received from AstroLabs’ on-ground team, causing the company to set up its Saudi business within just three months. “They [AstroLabs] made our life easy,” El Nabarawy recounted. “From company registration and bank account opening to hiring people and selecting the right workspace, they supported us at every step.”
Beyond incorporation, that support encompasses various facets, including the opportunity to get immersed in the dynamic AstroLabs community of innovators and stakeholders, and exclusive access to its networking events. “During these events, I connected with two partners and one client,” El Nabarawy said. “The community itself provides an atmosphere that lets everyone connect and work efficiently together.”
The share of the modernization happening on the ground across the Kingdom has cemented the need for expertise-based and consulting services from Sigma EMEA. The broader goal is to spur innovation in the wider Saudi IT industry to match a rapidly diversifying economy capable of creating new revenue streams by developing complex products and services.
Saudi Telecom’s Digital Shift Sparks New Opportunities
Sigma EMEA’s aspirations to secure a profound position in the overall telecom service market are intertwined with the country’s comprehensive digital agenda rooted in Vision 2030 for a fast-diversifying economy.
The sheer breadth and scale of the tech advancements are driven by innovation-friendly policies and improved technological infrastructure, which have ripened into a strong IT market, already contributing a little over 4% to the country’s GDP. In terms of market value, the Saudi IT industry is projected to grow to $27 billion in 2025, up from $21.6 billion in 2022.
“I’ve worked in around 16 countries before, but I’ve never seen digitalization like what we have in Saudi Arabia now,” he emphasized. “Everything is clear; everything runs through apps or portals, and government services are 100% digitalized.”
This rapid tech progress creates significant opportunities for global corporations with innovative strategies and game-changing solutions, such as Sigma EMEA, which is currently working with some of the nine major service providers in the Kingdom.
Encouraged by their track record and the Kingdom’s vision for digital adoption, Sigma EMEA is already planning its next phase of growth. Strategic partnerships are central to these plans.
“Our project’s nature is being a partner with our clients,” El Nabarawy explained. “We build long-term relationships, starting from consultancy about their software backbone and ending with operating their entire IT infrastructure.”
In Saudi Arabia and beyond, SIGMA EMEA’s brand will continue to stand for innovation, boldness, and a steadfast commitment to shaping the digital future.