Henkel’s GBS+ Revolution: Driving Innovation and Sustainability in the MENA Region

Dec 19, 2024

Kholoud Hussein 

 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global business operations, Henkel’s Global Business Solutions+ (GBS+) network stands as a testament to innovation, efficiency, and strategic vision. This exclusive interview with Roland Haefs, Corporate Vice President of GBS+, and Shereen Alaa, Head of GBS+ Cairo, provides invaluable insights into the pivotal role played by GBS+ in Henkel’s global strategy, with a special focus on its expanding footprint in the MENA region.

 

The conversation explores the strategic foundations of Henkel’s Cairo GBS+ Center, its contributions to Henkel’s operational excellence, and its alignment with regional and global priorities such as digital transformation, sustainability, and talent development. With Egypt positioned as a regional hub for advanced services and solutions, the interview also delves into the potential for growth across the MENA region, including opportunities in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.

 

Sharikat Mubasher presents this exclusive interview, shedding light on how Henkel’s GBS+ continues to redefine business processes, foster innovation, and drive sustainable impact in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

 

The following questions are answered by Roland Haefs, Corporate Vice President, Global Business Solutions+ (GBS+): 

 

Could you provide an overview of the current scale and influence of the GBS+ network globally? What are the key goals for expanding its role within Henkel’s global strategy, particularly as it pertains to the MENA region?

 

Henkel’s GBS+ organization, with a workforce of over 3,600 highly qualified employees, has become a critical component of Henkel’s value chain. Over the past 20 years, it has evolved from a transactional partner to a strategic player, operating across all time zones and languages. Today, GBS+ centers are located in Manila (Philippines), Bratislava (Slovakia), Mexico City (Mexico), Shanghai (China), and Cairo (Egypt).

 

The organization consists of specialized teams in areas such as finance, HR, IT, planning, sourcing, production, logistics, marketing, and sales. This broad expertise enables Henkel to deliver innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of our global operations.

 

With a strong focus on digital transformation and process optimization, GBS+ will continue to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and expand its role in higher value-adding activities. As we look to the future, expanding GBS+’s capabilities in the MENA region will be a key aspect of Henkel’s global strategy, further strengthening our ability to support the company's growth and operational excellence across markets.

 

What were the strategic factors behind choosing Egypt as a base for Henkel’s GBS+ Center? Additionally, do you foresee opportunities to expand similar operations in Saudi Arabia, and what role could it play within Henkel’s MENA vision?

 

Henkel chose Egypt as the base for its GBS+ Center for several strategic reasons. First, Egypt’s central geographic location enables it to cover multiple time zones, facilitating real-time collaboration with countries across the EMEA region and beyond. Additionally, Egypt offers a highly skilled, multilingual talent pool, which was instrumental in the establishment of our GBS+ Center. This decision also aligns with Henkel’s long-term goal to strengthen its presence in Egypt and transform the country into a hub for both product and service exports.

 

The GBS+ Center in Cairo is a critical part of Henkel’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. It positions Egypt as a global export hub for Henkel, particularly in terms of digital and technological solutions. The center plays a key role in enhancing Henkel’s service offerings by strengthening our digital capabilities and enabling us to deliver high-impact, value-added solutions across the MEA region and beyond.

 

By leveraging local talent and advanced technologies, Henkel is driving operational efficiency and innovation in the region. The GBS+ Cairo center is already playing a pivotal role as an exporting hub for digital and technology-driven solutions, supporting Henkel’s global operations.

 

As for Saudi Arabia, the country’s Vision 2030 focuses on diversification and development across multiple sectors, including technology and innovation. Henkel’s established investments in Saudi Arabia, including manufacturing facilities and an expanding market presence, align closely with the Kingdom's strategic objectives. While there are no immediate plans for expanding GBS+ operations in Saudi Arabia, the country’s growing role in Henkel’s strategy presents potential opportunities for future collaboration in line with Vision 2030’s goals.

 

How do you envision the Cairo GBS+ Center contributing to Henkel’s standing across the MENA region? What are some specific regional milestones or achievements you anticipate for this center in the near future?

 

The GBS+ Center in Cairo plays a pivotal role in strengthening Henkel’s presence across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. As a comprehensive organization, it offers a wide range of services that support Henkel's global operations and enable the company to meet the diverse needs of countries worldwide. This is made possible by the center’s strong multilingual talent pool, which allows GBS+ Cairo to operate in eight languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Turkish, and Spanish. As a result, it provides services and solutions to over 75 countries globally.

 

Looking ahead, GBS+ Cairo holds significant potential to further contribute to Henkel’s strategic goals. It will remain a key part of Henkel's broader strategy to enhance its regional footprint, positioning Egypt as a hub for both product and technological exports. Henkel's vision includes not only expanding product exports but also strengthening its digital and technological presence by exporting innovative solutions and services.

 

Furthermore, the Cairo center is expected to play a central role in Henkel’s sustainability and digitalization initiatives, which are integral to the company's regional and global objectives. This will enable GBS+ Cairo to drive value for Henkel while supporting the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation in the MEA region.

 

In what ways will the Cairo GBS+ Center support and enhance Henkel’s operations in the MENA region? 

 

The GBS+ center in Cairo plays a critical role in enhancing Henkel’s operations by streamlining and standardizing processes through the use of automation and digital solutions. With over a decade of experience, GBS+ Cairo is focused on adopting value-added activities that drive greater efficiency and effectiveness across the organization.

 

The center provides a comprehensive suite of services, including human resources, financial accounting and analysis, sales order processing, customer service, and marketing support. This broad portfolio enables Henkel to optimize operations and improve responsiveness to market demands, leading to better overall business performance.

 

In recent years, the center has expanded its capabilities to include IT and data analytics, reinforcing Henkel’s competitiveness in an increasingly fast-paced market. Moreover, the expansion of language support from three to eight languages has allowed GBS+ Cairo to serve over 75 countries, further strengthening its global reach and operational impact.

 

By leveraging local expertise and driving innovative practices, the GBS+ Cairo center supports Henkel’s global strategy, positioning Egypt as a key hub for advanced services and solutions, not just in the MENA region, but on a global scale.

 

How does the Cairo GBS+ Center fit into your broader vision for Henkel’s GBS+ network, and what unique contributions do you see it making to Henkel’s regional success across MENA, including Saudi Arabia?

 

The Cairo GBS+ Center is a key element of Henkel’s broader vision for its Global Business Services (GBS+) network. Strategically located in Egypt, the center takes full advantage of the country’s robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and deep regional market knowledge to optimize essential processes, including finance, IT, and sales. 

 

This aligns with Henkel’s goal of streamlining operations, enhancing digital capabilities, and fostering innovation across the global network. With its focus on process efficiency and service excellence, GBS+ Cairo plays a critical role in supporting Henkel’s growth strategy, both within the MENA region and internationally, including in key markets such as Saudi Arabia.

 

The following questions are answered by Shereen Alaa, Head of Global Business Solutions+ (GBS+), Cairo:  

 

Can you give us an overview of the Cairo GBS+ office's current scale and scope, including the number of employees, primary services, and areas of specialization?

 

GBS+ Cairo began in 2014 and has grown significantly since then, now employing 260 talented people. The center provides a wide range of services and solutions in human resources, accounting, and financial analysis, sales order processing and payments, customer service, sales reporting, marketing support, and IT and digital solutions. 

 

This diverse portfolio allows Henkel to streamline operations and contribute to better overall business performance. Additionally, the number of supported languages has increased from three to eight, allowing GBS+ Cairo to offer its services from Egypt to more than 75 countries across the globe. 

 

How does the Cairo GBS+ Center support the development of local talent, particularly young professionals in Egypt? What skill sets are being prioritized to make the workforce competitive on a global scale?

 

At GBS+ Cairo, we are committed to the continuous development and upskilling of young Egyptian talent by providing unique opportunities for hands-on and practical experience. 

We offer on-the-job training programs that strengthen our employees’ expertise and job rotation opportunities to broaden their knowledge beyond their area of expertise. 

 

Additionally, we focus on our young talents in universities and organize multiple programs that prepare them for the job market. These include internships that give them hands-on work experience and job shadowing and case studies sessions to familiarize them with the practical application of their studies. We are proud that 54% of our interns were hired with us.

 

We aim to enhance skills across all areas, but prioritize expert competencies, digital mindset, and business acumen. This is in addition to soft skills training programs that equip our team members with the skills needed in today’s and tomorrow’s work environment, such as communication, presentation, project management, strategic thinking, and many more.

 

All these initiatives aim to prepare the workforce for global competitiveness, ensuring that local talent contributes effectively to Henkel’s international operations while also fostering Egypt's talent pool for future growth in the region.

 


Could you elaborate on the Cairo GBS+ Center’s approach to sustainability and social responsibility, and how it aligns with Henkel’s global standards? What positive impacts have been observed on the local environment and community, and what are your future goals in this area across MENA?

 

The GBS+ Cairo approach to sustainability and social responsibility aligns closely with Henkel’s global strategy, particularly its commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives, which place a high priority on environmental and community well-being. 

At Henkel, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is central to our purpose, focusing on sustainability, social engagement, and ethical business practices.

 

Our CSR initiatives aim to make a lasting positive impact on the environment and society through education and active community involvement.

 

At GBS+ Cairo, we are proud of our strong culture of volunteering, with each team member contributing an average of 7.5 hours annually, leading to an impressive total of 10,000 volunteering hours dedicated to community projects over the past decade, such as Children Cancer Hospital, Green school program to name a few. This collective effort highlights our commitment and reflects our core values of equity, inclusivity, and social impact, which align perfectly with Henkel’s global standards. 

Both Henkel’s broader goals—such as reducing its environmental footprint, fostering a circular economy, and improving resource efficiency—and GBS+ Cairo's community outreach initiatives are aimed at creating long-term positive impacts on both the environment and society. Moving forward, Henkel’s goals in MENA, including Egypt, will continue to focus on strengthening these sustainability efforts, ensuring they contribute to Henkel’s global vision of a sustainable and equitable future for all.

 

By prioritizing sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical values, we bring our purpose to life: "Pioneers at Heart for the Good of Generations".

 

How does the Cairo GBS+ Center promote gender equality and female leadership? What initiatives are in place to increase women’s participation in the workforce, and are there similar plans for other parts of the MENA region?

 

At Henkel, we strongly believe that our diversity is our strength! We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that nurtures the growth of all employees. 

Since women make up nearly 70% of the workforce, we see this representation as a proud accomplishment that embodies our basic beliefs and ideals rather than merely a figure. For us at GBS+ Cairo, increasing women's involvement in the workforce is essential to attaining inclusivity and balance, which in turn encourages creativity and innovation.

 

We are committed to fostering an atmosphere that nurtures everyone’s growth and enables women to assume leadership positions and play a part in the company’s success. This is evident with our over 65% female representation in leadership. We see that empowering women to assume leadership positions contributes is integral to shaping and cultivating a culture of collaboration and excellence.

 

What is the center’s future outlook for growth within the MENA market? What potential do you see for further expansion and impact throughout the region, and what makes MENA a priority for Henkel?

 

The Cairo-based GBS+ Center is a key component of Henkel's broader strategy to enhance its presence in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region and position Egypt as a global export hub. 

Henkel has strengthened its presence in the Middle East and Africa region with GBS+ Cairo positioned as a comprehensive organization, that provides a wide range of high-impact value-adding services and solutions as well as digital and technological solutions that support Henkel's global operations and enables the company to cater to all countries across the globe. 

 

Looking ahead, GBS+ Cairo holds significant potential to further contribute to Henkel’s strategic goals. It will remain a key part of Henkel's broader strategy to strengthen its regional footprint in the dynamic and growing market in the Middle East and Africa region. 

 

Furthermore, the Cairo center is expected to play a central role in Henkel’s sustainability and digitalization initiatives, which are integral to the company's regional and global objectives. This will enable GBS+ Cairo to drive value for Henkel while supporting the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and digital transformation in the MEA region, adding to the region's strategic importance.

 

 

 

 

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Launching stablecoins in Saudi Arabia: the path to a faster, more open financial future

Noha Gad

 

The global financial ecosystem is undergoing a quiet yet profound transformation, driven by the rise of digital assets. At the forefront of this shift are stablecoins, digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a reserve asset such as the US dollar, gold, or another fiat currency. Unlike other cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, whose prices fluctuate sharply, stablecoins aim to combine the speed and efficiency of digital assets with the reliability of traditional money. 

Stablecoins promise the transparency and borderless nature of blockchain technology while mitigating the wild price swings that have hindered the everyday use of digital currencies. They are becoming a critical infrastructure layer for the new economy, enabling instant settlements, powering decentralized finance applications, and offering a digital haven of stability. Thanks to their potential to streamline payments, reduce transaction costs, and enhance financial inclusion, stablecoins are increasingly used for faster payments, remittances, and cross-border transactions.

 

Regulated rollout in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is taking steady moves toward launching stablecoins under national regulation, signaling a new phase in the Kingdom's digital asset strategy. Recently, Saudi Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing Majed Al-Hogail announced that the government plans to launch stablecoins soon in partnership with the Capital Market (CMA) and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), affirming that digital currencies could create a faster financial system if they were developed within Saudi values and regulations.

With 79% of retail transactions already cashless, Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to utilize stablecoins as part of its vision to become a global logistics and financial hub. 

Experts believe that the Kingdom’s exploration for regulated, utility-based stablecoins marks a turning point for the region’s digital asset landscape and reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernization, consumer protection, and financial stability. They emphasized that stablecoins could advance the Saudi financial ecosystem when embedded in rigorous regulatory frameworks and governed transparently, ultimately enhancing payments, trade, and innovation.

 

Impacts on key sectors

Utilizing regulated stablecoins could have transformative impacts across key sectors in the Kingdom, thanks to their stability, speed, and blockchain efficiency. They could revolutionize the fintech and payments landscape through a foundational shift towards a real-time, programmable, and seamlessly integrated financial infrastructure. The inherent transparency of blockchain transactions, when designed with privacy safeguards, can automate regulatory reporting and anti-money laundering checks, creating a more secure and efficient financial system. Additionally, stablecoins could enable instant, low-cost remittances vital for the Kingdom's large expatriate population, outpacing traditional systems by reducing fees and settlement times.

 

In logistics and e-commerce, stablecoins will play a pivotal role in streamlining cross-border settlements, cutting friction in supply chains, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub. By eliminating the settlement delays and interbank fees inherent in current card and transfer systems, consumers will enjoy near-instant checkout, both online and in physical stores, using QR codes or device-to-device transfers. This will eventually create a more dynamic, cash-lite economy where small merchants benefit from immediate settlement, reducing their working capital burdens.

 

Integrating stablecoins into the real estate sector will also facilitate fractional ownership of tokenized assets and attract global capital inflows. In his speech at the World PropTech Summit 2025, Al-Hogail highlighted that stablecoins could expand the SAR 300 billion real estate funds market by enabling transparent, real-time investor access to commercial, residential, and land properties. Additionally, a regulated, Riyal-pegged stablecoin would enable atomic settlements, where payment and asset title transfer occur simultaneously in a single, irreversible transaction. This eliminates the need for lengthy escrow processes, reduces counterparty risk, and significantly cuts the administrative and legal fees associated with property transactions.

 

Furthermore, High-value properties can be divided into digital tokens representing shares, traded on regulated platforms, thereby unlocking immense liquidity in a traditionally illiquid market and opening the sector to a broader base of investors.

 

Launching and integrating regulated stablecoins into major sectors in Saudi Arabia will not merely digitize cash but also deploy a programmable monetary platform that reshapes economic interactions. The transformation across retail, real estate, and finance sectors will be characterized by the near-elimination of settlement risk, a substantial reduction in transaction costs and time, the unlocking of new asset classes and liquidity, and the creation of a more inclusive, transparent, and globally competitive digital economy for the Kingdom.

 

Major challenges 

Regulating stablecoins in Saudi Arabia presents different challenges that entwine technological innovation with core financial and national priorities. These challenges include:

  • Regulatory classification and legal clarity. Determining whether a stablecoin is a payment instrument, a security, a commodity, or a new, unique asset class is pivotal to deciding which regulatory authority, either SAMA, the CMA, or both, has oversight. Creating a seamless, non-overlapping regulatory border for potentially hybrid instruments that blend payment and investment features requires unprecedented inter-agency coordination and potentially new legislative frameworks.
  • Implementing rigorous Shariah-compliance frameworks. Stablecoins must comply with Shariah principles to gain mass acceptance in the Kingdom. Thus, regulators will need to establish clear and standardized guidelines, which may lead to a preference for asset-backed or gold-backed stablecoin models over algorithmic ones.
  •  Operational and technological hurdles. Regulators may face the operational and tech hurdles of cross-border coordination and effective supervision. Domestically, Saudi regulators might need to build new supervisory capacities to monitor 24/7 blockchain-based systems, conduct real-time audits of reserve holdings, and oversee smart contract security to protect consumers from technical failures or hacks.

 

Finally, the emergence of stablecoins represents a pivotal evolution in the architecture of global finance, offering a fusion of blockchain innovation and monetary stability. In Saudi Arabia, the deliberate and regulated integration of this technology is a modern means to advance the strategic ambitions of Vision 2030, ultimately enhancing payments efficiency, revolutionizing capital markets through tokenization, and fortifying the Kingdom’s position as a cross-border trade connection.

The successful navigation of regulatory and technological challenges will eventually determine whether the Kingdom can transform these digital instruments into robust pillars of its future economy.

Founder-Led Sales: A Critical Phase Every Startup Must Master

Ghada Ismail

 

In the early stages of a startup, sales are rarely handled by a dedicated team. Instead, founders are often the first—and sometimes only—salespeople. This approach, known as founder-led sales, plays a critical role in shaping how a startup understands its market, refines its product, and builds early traction.

Founder-led sales refers to a model where the founder is directly responsible for selling the product or service. This typically includes pitching to customers, running demos, negotiating commercial terms, and closing the company’s first deals. While it may appear informal, founder-led sales is a deliberate and necessary phase for most early-stage startups.

 

Why founder-led sales is common in early-stage startups

Startups operate under conditions of uncertainty. Products are still evolving, customer segments are not fully defined, and pricing models are often being tested. In this environment, hiring a sales team too early can lead to misalignment and wasted resources.

Founder-led sales allow startups to:

  • Leverage the founder’s deep understanding of the problem and solution
  • Build trust with early customers who want to engage with decision-makers
  • Adjust messaging and positioning quickly based on live feedback
  • Validate assumptions before scaling commercial efforts

Early customers are not only buying a product. They are buying into a vision, and founders are best positioned to communicate that vision clearly.

 

How founder-led sales support product-market fit

One of the most important outcomes of founder-led sales is learning. Direct conversations with customers help founders understand what truly matters to buyers and where the product delivers the most value.

Through founder-led sales, startups can:

  • Identify recurring pain points and unmet needs
  • Understand why deals are won or lost
  • Test pricing, packaging, and positioning
  • Use customer feedback to shape the product roadmap

This process accelerates the journey toward product-market fit and reduces the risk of building solutions that lack real demand.

 

Where founder-led sales works best

Founder-led sales is especially effective in B2B startups, particularly those serving mid-market or enterprise customers. In these segments, purchasing decisions often involve multiple stakeholders and longer sales cycles, making credibility and trust essential.

It is most effective in:

  • B2B and enterprise-focused startups
  • Products that are new, technical, or complex
  • Markets where relationships and long-term commitment matter

In such cases, founder involvement signals accountability and long-term intent.

 

When founders should transition away from sales

Founder-led sales is not a permanent model. As the startup matures, founders should begin translating their experience into repeatable processes that can be passed on to a dedicated sales team.

A transition becomes viable when:

  • The ideal customer profile is clearly defined
  • Sales messaging is consistent and repeatable
  • Demand follows predictable patterns
  • The founder can train others based on proven insights

 

Wrapping Things Up…

Founder-led sales is not a distraction from building a startup; it is a foundational phase that informs strategy, product development, and future growth. For early-stage startups, particularly in emerging ecosystems, founder-led sales provide the clarity and confidence needed to scale effectively. By staying close to customers early on, founders can build stronger businesses and better sales engines for the long term.

How angel syndicates bridge founders' dreams with investors' gains

Noha Gad

 

In the dynamic world of startups, founders chase breakthroughs amid fierce competition, while investors hunt for the next big opportunity in a sea of pitches. In recent years, we have seen a major shift as investing in startups is no longer limited to venture capital (VC) firms. It increasingly includes individual investors who use technological tools and data to steer capital directly into the startups they care about and believe in. Angel syndicates emerged as a game-changer, pooling resources to fuel innovation and deliver shared rewards.

 

What are angel syndicates?

An angel syndicate is an informal group of individuals and/or angel investors who pool their resources together to invest in startups, normally via a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a separate company with its own balance sheet that can be established as a trust, a corporation, a limited partnership, or a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Each member of the group may not qualify as a BA themselves, but together they have access to more opportunities. One or two investors may "lead" the syndicate.

These high-net-worth individuals invest some of their own money into startups, typically in exchange for equity. The total amount invested will probably be lower than funding from a VC firm or a bank; however, founders can receive cash much earlier compared to traditional funding routes or from bigger investors.

In addition to investing in early-stage deals, an angel syndicate allows a startup founder to deal with just one representative of the syndicate, rather than with 10 or 20 individuals.

 

How do angel syndicates work?

At the beginning, the syndicate lead must secure an allocation or a piece of the round. They do this from their source of deal flow, either from inbound interest from a founder or via cold outreach. Once leaders find a deal they deem worthy, they will bring it to the syndicate members to choose to collectively invest in the startup.

A syndicate lead can request more info, such as milestones reached, business model, market size, team, financial data, as well as the term sheet, to determine and regulate the relationship between investors once the investment vehicle has been materialized.

To close the deal, the SPV will be created, which will be the party that will execute the investment in the startup. The important decisions will be made by the leader. The expenses related to the creation of the investment vehicle are usually equally paid by the investors, regardless of the amount invested.

 

Benefits of syndicate investing

  • Better deal access. By forming a syndicate, investors can pool their resources and invest a larger amount in each deal. Syndicating an investment this way is frequently required to gain access to the most competitive opportunities alongside VC firms, since founders may have high minimum investment requirements.
  • Portfolio diversity. Syndicate investing allows angels to build larger portfolios. By investing with an angel syndicate and increasing portfolio size, investors can significantly increase the probability of tripling or quintupling their invested capital across the entire portfolio
  • Shared deal flow and due diligence. Syndicate investing allows angel investors to pool their knowledge, experience, and resources. By leveraging the collective intelligence of the entire angel syndicate, they are able to source more opportunities and carry out more informed due diligence on the startups they review. 
  • Simplicity. The rise of online syndication platforms made it easier for investors to participate in syndicate investing. These platforms provide a central location where investors can connect, identify and evaluate potential investment opportunities, and manage their investments. 

 

How do angel syndicates support startups' businesses?

  • Financial backing: Startups can secure substantial capital infusions by pooling resources from multiple investors, often enabling larger funding rounds than a single angel could offer alone. This supports critical business functions such as product development, team expansion, and market entry strategies.
  • Guidance and mentorship: syndicates deliver invaluable mentorship and strategic guidance from experienced lead investors and syndicate members. Their collective networks open doors to potential customers, partners, and subsequent VC opportunities, accelerating growth and credibility in competitive ecosystems.
  • Reducing administrative burdens: When a lead handles due diligence and negotiations, this will reduce administrative burdens on founders, leading to quicker deal closures and freeing up time for core business activities. 

In summary, angel syndicates revolutionize early-stage investing by offering startups not just essential capital but also mentorship, networks, and streamlined processes that propel business growth amid fierce competition. Investors, in turn, gain access to premium deals, diversified portfolios, and shared due diligence, amplifying their chances for substantial returns without the isolation of solo ventures.

From Concept to Reality: How the API Economy Is Taking Shape Inside Saudi Arabia

Ghada Ismail

 

In the first article, we explored the API Economy as a global shift, but understanding the concept is only the beginning. The real story emerges when we look at how the API Economy takes shape on the ground, inside actual markets.

When a user taps “pay,” links a bank account, or signs into a digital wallet, the experience looks simple. But behind every smooth tap lies a hidden world: API gateways, microservices, integration layers, open-banking rails, and banking-as-a-service components working in perfect coordination. While global conversations highlight Stripe, PayPal, and social media APIs, Saudi Arabia’s reality is driven by a growing network of local firms quietly building the financial infrastructure of the future.

This article maps the local ecosystem, the players powering it, how the architecture works, and why Saudi Arabia’s API economy is becoming a strategic backbone for the region.

 

Why the API Economy Is Accelerating in Saudi Arabia

The foundations of Saudi Arabia’s API ecosystem are being shaped by three intersecting forces:

1. Regulatory clarity and open banking readiness.
Saudi regulators and banks have laid down frameworks that encourage standardized APIs, account-data access, and safe third-party integrations. This clarity reduces friction for both fintechs and API providers.

2. Rapid consumer adoption of digital payments.
With mobile wallets, tap-to-pay, and online banking becoming mainstream, demand for stable, scalable backend infrastructure has never been higher.

3. The need for speed, cost efficiency, and modular development.
Instead of reinventing infrastructure, fintechs can now assemble it — using APIs for payments, identity, compliance, or card issuance. This modularity is what allows Saudi fintechs to launch fast and scale without massive upfront investment.

Together, these factors have created the conditions for a strong local market of API builders, integrators, and specialized fintech-infrastructure companies.

 

Who Is Building Saudi Arabia’s API Infrastructure?

Saudi’s API ecosystem isn’t driven by one type of company — it’s a layered network of infrastructure specialists. Below are the key categories and the local firms shaping each layer.

 

1. Microservices, Cloud & Integration Firms: SkyTech Digital, AusafTech, Tech Polaris

These companies form the technical backbone that many fintechs rely on:

SkyTech Digital

  • Designs microservices architectures and cloud-native applications.
  • Helps businesses migrate from legacy or monolithic systems to modular, API-driven backends.
  • For fintechs, this means faster performance, better scalability, and easier maintenance.

AusafTech

  • Specializes in full-stack API integration — from advisory to testing to long-term maintenance.
  • Connects systems to payment gateways, CRMs, cloud platforms, and messaging services.
  • Plays a crucial role when fintechs need multiple integrations handled reliably.

Tech Polaris

  • Offers API development and integration support for businesses building modular services.
  • Represents the growing demand for API-first engineering firms in the Kingdom.

These firms make fintech architecture possible: without microservices, cloud-native environments, or integration scaffolding, fintech products simply wouldn’t scale.

 

2. Fintech-Facing API Platforms: Open Banking, Payments, Cards & Payouts

Beyond general integration, Saudi fintechs rely on API-first firms that offer ready-made financial infrastructure.

Open banking aggregators (e.g., Lean Technologies, SingleView)

  • Provide account-data APIs, payment initiation, and bank connectivity.
  • Let fintechs fetch transaction data, verify accounts, or build budgeting tools without separate bank integrations.

Banking-as-a-Service & card-issuing platforms (e.g., NymCard)

  • Enable virtual cards, user payouts, financing modules, and program management — all via APIs.
  • Allow fintechs to launch financial services without building rails from scratch.

Payment service providers and merchant platforms (e.g., Geidea)

  • Offer robust payment APIs, checkout solutions, and payment links.
  • Let marketplaces, apps, and online merchants embed payments instantly.

When assembled together, these API components create a “plug-and-play fintech stack” — one that allows startups to focus on the product rather than the plumbing.

 

How These Layers Work Together: A Realistic Saudi Fintech Stack

To understand how this ecosystem behaves in practice, imagine a Saudi fintech launching a digital wallet, BNPL service, or SME-payments tool:

  • Backend architecture: A firm like SkyTech builds the cloud-native, microservices-based foundation.
  • Payment processing: The fintech integrates Geidea’s payment APIs.
  • Cards and payouts: They plug into NymCard’s card-issuing or payout APIs.
  • Bank-account connectivity: Lean Technologies or SingleView enables account linking and open-banking flows.
  • Additional integrations: AusafTech manages CRM, SMS, cloud services, and other connections.

The result?
A fully operational fintech product built in months — not years — thanks to a layered ecosystem of specialized API providers.

This is the API Economy made real.

 

Why Local Firms Matter More Than Ever

While global API giants dominate headlines, Saudi fintechs increasingly depend on regional infrastructure firms — for reasons that are both practical and strategic:

  • Regulatory alignment: Local providers are built for SAMA compliance and Saudi banking rules.
  • Localization: They understand cultural norms, payment behaviors, and Arabic-language user journeys.
  • Speed of integration: Proximity enables faster iteration and customization.
  • Resilience: Relying only on global providers increases risk; a diverse regional stack is more stable.

These companies are not outsourced vendors; they are ecosystem enablers building national infrastructure.

 

Implications for Founders, Investors, and Policymakers

For startups and founders:

  • APIs significantly reduce time-to-market.
  • Modular infrastructure lets teams focus on UX and differentiation.
  • Choosing the right integration partners becomes a strategic decision.

For investors:

  • API providers are long-term infrastructure bets.
  • Their value compounds as the fintech market expands.

For regulators:

  • Clear API standards and sandboxes accelerate innovation.
  • Supporting local API firms strengthens national digital sovereignty.

 

Conclusion: Saudi Arabia’s API Economy Has Entered Its Infrastructure Phase

If the first article explained what the API Economy is, this article explains how it is being built in Saudi Arabia — and by whom.

The Kingdom’s fintech growth is not powered solely by consumer-facing apps, but by the invisible architecture behind them: APIs, microservices, integration frameworks, open-banking rails, card-issuing platforms, and PSP gateways. Companies like SkyTech Digital, AusafTech, Tech Polaris, Geidea, NymCard, Lean Technologies, and SingleView are quietly building the rails that make everything possible.

The real story of Saudi fintech is not just about innovation on the surface.
It’s about the infrastructure underneath — reliable, compliant, modular, and fast-evolving.

And as Saudi Arabia accelerates toward a fully digital economy, those who understand and invest in this infrastructure will be shaping not just apps, but the future of finance across the region.

Vision 2030 in motion: How Saudi tourism is blending technology with environmental care

Noha Gad

 

The tourism sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing a historic and transformative change, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism powerhouse. This strategic shift is a cornerstone of Vision 2030, which targets increasing tourism’s contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP) from 3% to 10% by 2030, and aims to attract 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.

During the first half (H1) of 2025, the total number of inbound tourists in Saudi Arabia reached 14.3 million tourists, with inbound tourism spending estimated at SAR 90.5billion, according to recent figures released by the Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, the tourism hospitality facilities in the Kingdom recorded an overall occupancy rate of over 51% during the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, with Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) standing at SAR  154 in the same quarter. 

Driving this ambition is a dual commitment to sustainability and technological innovation. The Kingdom is not merely expanding its tourism offerings, which span from the pristine Red Sea coast and the ancient Nabatean tombs of AlUla to futuristic megaprojects like NEOM, but is doing so with a foundational pledge to environmental stewardship. 

Also, the Kingdom is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR), to revolutionize the visitor experience and operational efficiency. From AI-powered personalized itineraries and smart city management to immersive VR previews of heritage sites and AR-enhanced cultural exhibitions, technology is becoming the invisible backbone of Saudi tourism.

 

Green tourism in Saudi Arabia 

Saudi Arabia is putting sustainability at the core of its tourism strategies, particularly through eco-tourism integrated into its latest destination concepts that protect and preserve natural habitats and local wildlife. A range of nature reserves have already been established, including the Harrat al-Harrah Reserve, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve. The National Center for Wildlife works to protect, develop, and resettle ecosystems and biodiversity, in addition to treating risks related to wildlife.

The Kingdom’s national initiatives, like the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the National Tourism Strategy (NTS), mandate that growth must be sustainable, regenerative, and aligned with ambitious conservation targets. For instance, the SGI aims to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tons annually by 2030 and increase the percentage of protected land and marine areas to 30% of the Kingdom's total area. Therefore, all tourism giga-projects are required to align with these goals. The 30% protection target is particularly crucial, as many projects, like the Red Sea Project, are located within or adjacent to protected zones, mandating a regenerative approach that enhances the environment.

The NTS targets implementing guidelines for energy, water, and waste management across new and existing destinations, acting as the operational link between the SGI's high-level goals and on-the-ground tourism development.

Giga projects, such as the Red Sea project, NEOM, and Al Ula, are large-scale experiments and benchmarks for building tourism from the ground up on green principles. The Red Sea project, spanning an archipelago of 90 islands scattered along the western coast of Saudi Arabia, targets developing luxury resorts using 100% clean energy, aiming for 100% carbon neutrality. Al Ula region, Saudi Arabia’s historical open-air museum, is expected to be on the global tourist radar, combining heritage with modern sustainable worldviews. This project is expected to contribute to carbon neutrality in the long term. 

All mega- and gig-projects underscore the Saudi government’s efforts to forge a future where tradition, innovation, and sustainability go hand-in-hand. According to the World Tourism Barometer, published by UN Tourism in January 2025, Saudi Arabia was one of the best-performing destinations in the world for 2024, seeing a tourism uplift of over 69% for the full 12-month period compared to 2019.

 

Digital tools driving Saudi Arabia's sustainable tourism

Smart tourism in Saudi Arabia refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and smart city infrastructure, into the travel and tourism experience. It aims to enhance convenience, personalization, and sustainability for both domestic and international visitors.

Building upon its sustainable foundation, Saudi Arabia is strategically deploying advanced technologies to create seamless, personalized, and immersive visitor experiences. These technologies are integral to managing tourism growth efficiently while elevating engagement to world-class standards.

AI serves as the central nervous system of this new tourism ecosystem. Beyond powering personalized recommendations on platforms like the official Visit Saudi portal, AI is crucial for operational sustainability and management. It is used for predictive analytics to optimize energy and water use in large resorts, manage visitor flows to prevent overcrowding at sensitive heritage sites, and provide real-time, multilingual assistance through AI-powered chatbots and virtual concierges. 

For immersion and accessibility, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are transforming how visitors explore Saudi heritage and future destinations. Before travel, VR enables potential tourists to take digital journeys through destinations like the ancient tombs of Hegra in AlUla or the futuristic models of NEOM. Platforms like the Metaverse let visitors explore Saudi landmarks from anywhere, offering a glimpse into the Kingdom’s rich heritage, no matter where they are in the world.

On-site, AR applications enrich the physical experience; for instance, at historical locations, visitors can use their smartphones or AR glasses to see historical recreations superimposed on ruins, receive interactive guided narrations, or access instant translation of inscriptions, bringing millennia of history to life in an engaging, educational format. Interactive museums, such as the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, turn history into an experience through screens, sound, and smart displays. Historic and cultural sites like AlUla, Diriyah, and Jeddah’s Al-Balad offer AR experiences that let visitors interact with stories from the past.

 

Key smart tourism platforms in Saudi Arabia

The smart tourism ecosystem in Saudi Arabia is supported by several key digital platforms, ranging from official government portals to giga-project-specific applications. These platforms leverage AI, data analytics, and integrated services to enhance the visitor journey from planning to post-trip.

  • ‘Visit Saudi’ portal and application is the official national tourism platform that serves as the primary digital gateway for all international and domestic tourists. It offers AI-driven personalized itinerary planning, destination discovery, event bookings, and integrated visa application links. 
  • Nusuk is the official unified digital platform for pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah, managed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. It offers end-to-end journey management, including eVisa, electronic permit issuance, accommodation booking, flight packages, and health services. The platform uses data analytics for crowd management and a seamless spiritual experience.
  • Tawakkalna app. Thanks to its robust identity verification infrastructure, this application is integrated into the tourism and events sector. It provides a secure digital identity, via Absher integration, for fast-track entry at major events, festivals, and tourist attractions, reducing queues and enhancing security.

 

As Vision 2030 continues to unfold, Saudi Arabia’s model offers a forward-looking blueprint for how destinations can grow responsibly. It demonstrates that with clear vision, supportive policy, and strategic investment, tourism can be a force for economic vitality, cultural celebration, and environmental preservation. This transformation in the Saudi tourism sector represents a purposeful integration of environmental stewardship and technological innovation. By establishing a firm green foundation through national initiatives and advancing a sophisticated smart toolbox with artificial intelligence, immersive tech, and data-driven platforms, the Kingdom is not merely expanding its tourism sector; it is redefining its future.