SBI, a global Data, AI, and EPM consultancy, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. This announcement follows SBI’s participation as a sponsor at the Data 2030 Summit in Riyadh, showcasing its early commitment to the Saudi market and the growing importance of data-driven innovation across the Kingdom.
Founded over 15 years ago and headquartered in France, SBI operates in 11 offices across Europe, Africa, Middle East, North America, and APAC, partnering with global technology leaders such as Snowflake, Microsoft, Strategy…, The firm delivers large-scale transformation programs across retail, finance, transport, logistics, and health.
“Our expansion into Saudi Arabia is a natural next step in SBI’s global growth journey,” said Thomas Lusson, Global CEO of SBI Group. “The Middle East, and Saudi Arabia in particular, play a pivotal role in our long-term ambitions as the region continues to lead major transformation programs powered by data and AI.”
By establishing an office in Riyadh, SBI is strengthening its local delivery capabilities and tapping into the Kingdom’s accelerating demand for AI and data transformation. With the Saudi enterprise AI market forecast to expand at nearly 38% per annum through to 2030, establishing a local base now allows SBI to ride the inflection point in demand, positioning the firm closer to clients and ecosystem partners as digital programs scale.
“As Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 agenda, data and AI have become essential enablers of economic diversification and performance,” said Karim Lahlou, Managing Director of SBI Middle East. “By expanding our presence, we aim to support organizations in building modern data platforms, optimizing financial performance, and transforming insight into action.”
With its 11 global offices and partnerships, SBI’s expansion signals a deepening commitment to the region’s data economy. The firm’s Riyadh office will act as a hub for delivering on-the-ground support to enterprises seeking to modernize data infrastructure, enhance financial performance, and embed AI into decision-making.
“Saudi Arabia is at the heart of our regional vision for META,” added Imad El Ayoubi, CEO of SBI META. “Our growing presence here reflects the Kingdom’s importance as a catalyst for innovation and digital transformation across the region.”
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia’s next wave of growth will be driven by scaled data platforms, AI-enabled operations, and cloud-native architectures across priority sectors. By landing early in Riyadh, SBI is positioned to capitalize on this momentum.
About SBI Group
SBI is a global consulting firm specializing in Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM). For over 15 years, SBI has helped leading organizations harness the power of data to drive smarter, faster, and more effective decision-making. With a team of 300+ experts and a 95% certified consultant base, SBI partners with 150+ clients worldwide to transform data into a strategic performance asset.
Headquartered in France with offices across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and APAC, SBI combines deep technical expertise with business insight to deliver measurable results, enabling enterprises to enhance efficiency, strengthen governance, and achieve sustainable growth.
About AstroLabs
AstroLabs is the leading business expansion platform in the Gulf, supporting high-growth companies to set up, operate, and achieve full market integration in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
With over a decade of experience and a network of 10,000+ decision-makers, we’ve helped 1,850+ companies successfully enter, scale, and embed themselves within the region’s fastest-growing economies.
In partnership with government entities across Saudi Arabia and key global markets, we run strategic programs that accelerate market access, build foundational industries, and support regional visions like Saudi Vision 2030.
