SAS opens new regional headquarters in Riyadh to drive AI and analytics innovation

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SAS, a global leader in data and AI, has announced the opening of its new Middle East and North Africa Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The announcement was made during SAS Innovate on Tour in Riyadh, the company’s flagship regional event attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, and technology experts.

The establishment of the new headquarters reinforces SAS’s long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia and highlights its commitment to supporting governments and enterprises across the region in leveraging AI and advanced analytics to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.

“Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a hub for innovation and digital transformation. By establishing our regional headquarters in Riyadh, we are positioning ourselves at the heart of this growth. Our investment underscores SAS’s belief in the Kingdom’s potential and our commitment to supporting Vision 2030,” said Alexander Tikhonov, regional director, Middle East Türkiye & Africa, SAS.

Mohammed Kiki, country manager, Saudi Arabia, SAS, added: “From Riyadh, SAS will partner with governments, enterprises, and academia across the Middle East to deliver cutting-edge AI and analytics solutions. This headquarters will also serve as a hub for knowledge sharing, skills development, and regional collaboration.”

The new regional headquarters will house leadership, consulting, innovation, and customer engagement teams, enhancing collaboration with local partners and clients across key industries including banking, government, energy, utilities, and telecommunications.

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At SAS Innovate on Tour in Riyadh, discussions focused on the role of advanced analytics and emerging technologies such as Agentic AI, Generative AI, and Digital Twins in shaping the future of decision-making. Global SAS experts shared insights on how organizations can simplify complexity, boost productivity, and implement responsible AI practices grounded in trust, transparency, and governance.

As part of its $1bn, three-year global investment plan announced in 2023, SAS outlined its strategy to drive customer success, build strategic partnerships, nurture the next generation of innovators, and preserve its culture of innovation. The company’s latest developments include trusted generative AI tools, synthetic data generation, Viya Copilots, and digital twin advancements in manufacturing, alongside research in quantum computing for industries such as life sciences and banking.

Presented in collaboration with Microsoft, Intel, AWS, RedHat, and other regional partners, SAS Innovate on Tour in Riyadh underscored how data-driven transformation and AI innovation can help organisations accelerate growth, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to a future where data and AI power progress across the Middle East.