EY and Microsoft Strengthen Saudi Push with AI-Driven Consulting Partnership

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 18-02-2026

4 min

EY Saudi Arabia is strengthening ties with Microsoft to expand services locally.

EY Studio+ unites design, data and AI-led transformation for businesses.

The partnership blends Microsoft’s cloud tools with EY’s industry expertise.

Both firms aim to support Vision 2030 and sector-wide digitisation.

The real test will be measurable impact, not just polished presentations.

EY in Saudi Arabia is deepening its ties with Microsoft, as the two organisations look to expand consulting and technology-driven services across the Kingdom. The move builds on their longstanding global relationship, but this time the focus is firmly on the Saudi market and the evolving needs of businesses here.

At the centre of this effort is EY Studio+, a global, customer-first growth and transformation offering. In simple terms, it brings together EY’s capabilities in design, sales, marketing and customer experience under one umbrella, with a strong emphasis on AI-led transformation. The idea is to help companies not only adopt new technologies, but also rethink how they engage with customers in what is becoming an increasingly AI-driven economy.

I’ve seen many startups across MENA struggle with fragmented digital strategies, brilliant tech on one side, clunky customer journeys on the other. It can be a bit of a faff to stitch everything together. So when big players talk about unifying design, data and cloud under one roof, it does catch my attention. Whether it’s spot on in execution will, of course, depend on delivery.

According to Omar Odeh, EY MENA Consulting Leader, the two firms have a track record of working together to leverage advanced technology for clients and communities. He noted that through EY Studio+, the plan is to respond to rapidly changing business needs in the region and develop value propositions that help clients thrive in a competitive landscape, while contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economic growth.

On the Microsoft side, Maha Albrahim, Vice President of Enterprise Partner Solutions at Microsoft Arabia, said the collaboration combines Microsoft’s AI and cloud capabilities with EY’s industry expertise and design-led approach. The intention, she explained, is to help organisations across Saudi Arabia accelerate digital transformation and build experiences that are innovative and human-centred.

That said, this is not just about shiny new tools. The two companies also plan to co-develop thought leadership and new methodologies around experience design and innovation. They are expected to take part in industry forums and exhibitions in the Kingdom, showcasing how their combined capabilities can address sector-specific challenges. In a market like Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 continues to reshape industries from finance to tourism, such alliances are definately aligned with the national push for digitisation.

Alfonso Gutierrez, EY MENA Microsoft Alliance Leader, described the collaboration as another opportunity to translate bold ambitions into tangible results. He pointed to secure, scalable and intelligent solutions that can transform how organisations engage customers and drive growth, not only in Saudi Arabia but across the wider Middle East.

And believe it or not, this kind of partnership is becoming more common as consulting firms and tech giants realise they need each other. Cloud without industry insight can feel hollow. Advisory without cutting-edge tech risks being outdated. I reckon the real test will be whether clients see measurable impact, faster go-to-market strategies, smarter use of data, better customer retention, rather than just polished presentations.

For founders and scale-ups reading on Arageek, there’s also a broader takeaway. The convergence of AI, cloud and design is no longer optional. Even early-stage ventures are expected to think about customer experience from day one. Big alliances like this may seem far removed from a bootstrapped startup in Riyadh or Jeddah… but the standards they set tend to ripple across the ecosystem.

In short, EY KSA and Microsoft are signalling that they want to shape how digital transformation unfolds in the Kingdom. The ambition is clear: blend technology with experience-led consulting to create lasting value. Now it’s about turning that ambition into real-world impact, and in today’s market, that’s easier said than done.

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