KPMG and Edarat launch strategic partnership to accelerate AI adoption in Saudi Arabia

KPMG has signed a partnership agreement with Edarat, a major player in the Middle East’s data center market, aimed at driving the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across Saudi Arabia.

 A publicly listed company on Tadawul, Edarat is one of the largest independent data center providers in the MENA region. The company provides the data center infrastructure and ICT on which companies can host their cloud solutions, which is a rapidly growing market.

 The partnership with KPMG focuses on helping organizations leverage Edarat’s cloud infrastructure for their AI services and solutions. Jihad Nehme, Chief Business Development Officer at Edarat, said that the goal is to accelerate the implementation of AI technologies in the Kingdom, while ensuring compliance with the National Data Management Office and other regulators in a low cost and efficient way.

 “At Edarat, we believe that our robust data center facilities and cloud infrastructure is crucial in enabling businesses to harness the power of AI effectively and securely. Together with KPMG, we aim to pave the way for a vibrant, innovative future that accelerates economic growth and enhances industry efficiency.”

 KPMG’s expertise will be provided by its Advisory team, which has extensive expertise in cloud, artificial intelligence, and data, as well as organizational capabilities that guide the implementation of AI and embed its use.

 “KPMG is committed to empowering Saudi Arabia with the latest AI technologies to drive economic growth, societal transformation, and turbo-charge the regions intelligent economies. This collaboration with Edarat showcases our joint commitment and considerable investment to scale the AI infrastructure necessary in the Kingdom,” said Mazhar Hussain, Partner and Head of AI at KPMG.

 Supporting its consulting work, KPMG will leverage this private AI cloud, that is designed to make AI deployment easier and more cost-effective for organizations based in Saudi Arabia. “This cloud service is built to ensure full compliance with local regulations while providing scalability and security, making it an ideal solution for Saudi businesses looking to embrace AI without significant upfront costs,” said Hussain.

 The partnership between the two companies was sealed with a memorandum of understanding signed in the sidelines of LEAP in Riyadh.