6 Projects in 9 Months: A Look at Sigma EMEA's Expansion into Saudi Telecom Industry

Find out more about Sigma EMEA’s expansion journey in Saudi Arabia and its impact on driving innovation in the IT industry.

The Saudi telecom industry is expected to grow more than sixfold to $13.4 billion by 2029. Valued at $2.1 billion, telecom is at the forefront of the nationwide digital push, adopting substantial advancements like 5G networks, IoT and cloud computing.

This digital renaissance has created the perfect backdrop for global companies seeking to relocate their endeavors in Saudi Arabia. Recognizing the rapid expansion of the telecom sector, global IT consultancy and system integrator firm Sigma EMEA has recently expanded to Saudi Arabia via AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform.

Since setting up a business in Saudi Arabia, Sigma has taken the lead in spurring the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, with a strong focus on AI and future-ready network-managed solutions.

Strong Market Opportunity Drives SIGMA EMEA's Expansion in Saudi Telecom Industry

Founded in 2015, Sigma has built a reputation across many global markets for delivering exceptional system integration and consultancy services. Beyond Saudi Arabia, the company has operations in Egypt, the UAE, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Saudi Arabia’s growing reliance on cloud services, IoT platforms, and AI-powered solutions is closely linked to the country's thriving and expanding digital economy. With a population of 34 million people and a rapidly increasing internet penetration rate, this drives a significant demand for sophisticated telecom infrastructure.

Markedly, Saudi Arabia is among the most connected nations globally, with broadband penetration surpassing 99%. As of 2023, Saudi Arabia had approximately 14.5 million fixed broadband subscriptions, marking a notable increase from previous years.

As it continues to expand into Saudi Arabia, Sigma serves a crucial function by providing the foundational architecture that helps organizations improve business agility, respond faster to market dynamics and offer scalable, agile, and flexible services.

While Sigma had considered expanding to other regions, including Germany, initial projections indicated a 60% revenue increase upon entering Saudi. This ultimately became a reality, as Sigma exceeded these projections within nine months of business setup in Saudi Arabia.

"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," noted Ahmed El Nabarawy, chief commercial officer and KSA office managing director for Sigma EMEA.

With its vast expertise and broad product offering, Sigma EMEA remains fully dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of businesses and consumers with unprecedented reliability, greater versatility and seamless connectivity.

Relentless Digital Transformation Positions Saudi as Prime Expansion Target for Sigma EMEA

This noteworthy growth stemmed from a commitment to meaningfully engage with the local market and adapt to its conditions. With the help of AstroLabs, Sigma managed to fast-track its market entry and company registration in Saudi Arabia. Within only three months, thanks to AstroLabs' support, Sigma was fully operational.

ElNabarawy particularly touched on the impact of having access to the AstroLabs growing business network on deepening its local presence.

He explained that he managed to connect with potential partners and clients through one of AstroLabs' community 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,” he further explained.

Since its launch, Sigma has secured 6 major telecom infrastructure projects with leading service providers. Moreover, it managed to hold a pipeline of over 16 new business opportunities.

The fast-paced digital transformation of the Saudi telecom industry is reshaping every aspect of its applications, services and products. For Sigma, Saudi Arabia boasts an accumulation of driving factors that accelerate the sector's digital evolution and continued growth trajectory, making it the ideal market for its services and activities.

“I’ve worked in more than 16 countries, and I’ve never seen a digital transformation like what’s happening in Saudi Arabia. Everything is seamless. Everything is digitized. That makes it easier for businesses like ours to grow—and grow quickly," El Nabarawy said.

Sigma's long-term commitment to the local market is apparent in solid plans to expand its services and client base as well as nurture long-standing partnerships with industry stakeholders to support its future growth.

“We don’t sell solutions—we build partnerships. In Saudi Arabia, that mindset is not just appreciated. It’s essential" El Nabarawy concluded.