TCS eyes growth in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf: Sumanta Roy outlines expansion plans and regional impact

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has firmly established itself as a key player in the Middle East and Africa, capitalizing on the region’s digital transformation. As part of its global expansion strategy, the company continues to bolster its footprint across the Gulf countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where its presence has grown exponentially over the years.

In an exclusive conversation with FinancialExpress.com, Sumanta Roy, President & Regional Head of Middle East and Africa, discussed how TCS has become an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s evolving digital landscape. He elaborated on the company’s role in transforming sectors such as telecom, banking, and government services, emphasizing the importance of long-term local investments and talent development in driving sustained growth.

A Strong Foundation in Saudi Arabia
According to him the company has been deeply embedded in Saudi Arabia for over 25 years, providing cutting-edge IT solutions to a variety of sectors. The company’s long-standing relationship with the Saudi government is exemplified by its collaboration with the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI). TCS, Roy told FinancialExpress.com on the sidelines of a recently concluded Global Labor Market Conference, in Riyadh, helped launch Saudi Arabia’s first social insurance platform, which has since evolved into one of the country’s most important social security systems. Currently, TCS is assisting GOSI with the revamping of its system using advanced technology.

Beyond GOSI, TCS has built an extensive portfolio in Saudi Arabia, working with major telecommunications companies, banks, and even playing a role in the merger between CityBank and NCB, Saudi Arabia’s largest bank. Roy emphasized the depth of TCS’s involvement in the region, with projects spanning across key industries, including telecom, banking, and insurance.

Empowering Women and Local Talent

A notable achievement for TCS in Saudi Arabia in his view is its Women’s Center, which has been operating for over a decade. Launched well before the push for female empowerment in the workforce, the center initially employed a significant number of Indian women. Over time, this evolved into a regional success story with women from Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia leading the workforce. Today, the center has grown to employ over 600 women, celebrating ten years of operations, he said.

Roy talked about TCS’s focus on reskilling and local talent development. As automation continues to redefine industries, TCS has explored innovative ways to redeploy talent, including retraining employees for emerging roles in design and digital innovation. This approach is essential, particularly in the context of evolving business needs and workforce transformations.

Digital Innovation and Key Projects
According to him, TCS’s presence is expanding across the Gulf region, including Qatar, the UAE, Oman, and Kuwait. In Qatar, the company played an instrumental role in the nation’s ambition to become a smart country’s by implementing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to improve citizen services. The GIS system supports digital interventions, such as helping vertical farmers adjust to sandstorms and optimize their harvest schedules. Projects like these not only contribute to Qatar’s smart city initiatives but also reinforce TCS’s commitment to fostering digital transformation in the region.
In the UAE and Oman, it has continued to solidify its role as a technology partner in key sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and government services. The company’s expertise in building secure and scalable IT infrastructure makes it an attractive partner for countries seeking to modernize their services and digitize their economies.

Bridging the Gap in Africa

While TCS’s operations in the Gulf region continue to thrive, the company has also made substantial inroads in Africa. Roy highlighted TCS’s growing presence in South Africa, where the company works closely with local universities to train and hire young talent. In countries like Kenya and Uganda, TCS is involved in critical projects such as running the tax systems for their respective revenue authorities.

However, TCS’s approach in Africa is nuanced. Due to labour cost dynamics, the company has focused primarily on South Africa and other sub-Saharan countries where the business model aligns more closely with TCS’s core objectives. The company’s approach to reskilling and localization is helping bridge the skills gap, creating opportunities for local workers while fostering sustainable growth.

Future Prospects in Saudi Arabia and Beyond

Looking ahead, TCS has ambitious plans to expand further in the Gulf and Africa. In Saudi Arabia, the company is continuing to grow its presence and increase its local workforce. The company’s efforts in fostering talent are set to ramp up, with new initiatives such as the development of a Cyber Security Center in Bahrain, which will bring in local talent, train them, and ensure that the workforce is future-ready.

Roy also mentioned the potential for collaboration with government agencies in the Gulf, particularly in areas like SME training, where TCS can offer specialized skills development to help local businesses thrive in the digital age. This focus on up-skilling is especially important in a region where there is a high demand for skilled workers to drive economic diversification and growth.