Last Updated on February 19, 2024
The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and at the time of writing (January 2023) one of the very few areas where recruiting for top-tier consulting firms has not slowed down.
In this article, I want to provide an overview of the top 10 consulting firms and their work in the area in case you are interested to make the transition to this fascinating, high-growth area of the planet.
Update February 2024: Hiring has now also slowed down in the Middle East, yet most firms are still actively hiring.
The top 10 firms
Let’s get this started with the top 10 firms. Below these firms, I discuss the typical work these firms engage in in the Middle East in more general terms.
McKinsey & Company
The prime global management consulting firm has a strong presence in the Middle East, with 600 consultants in the region and 3,000 projects completed since 2000. The firm has offices in Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, Kuwait, Manama, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
The firm’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, McKinsey primarily focuses on strategy consulting, working with clients on issues such as corporate strategy, growth and competitiveness, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational design. The firm has a strong reputation in the region and has worked with many of the largest companies and government organizations in the Middle East.
McKinsey also focuses on operations, working with clients in the Middle East to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The firm has extensive experience working with clients in the energy sector, helping national oil companies and international oil companies to optimize their operations and improve performance. In healthcare, McKinsey has worked with hospitals, payers, and governments to improve the quality, access, and affordability of healthcare.
McKinsey is also actively involved in the area of digital transformation in the Middle East, helping organizations across various sectors to leverage digital technologies to create new business models and increase their competitiveness. The firm has helped many companies in the region to implement digital solutions in areas such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, and e-commerce.
McKinsey & Company has a reputation for delivering high-quality consulting services and building long-term partnerships with clients in the Middle East. They also have a strong team of local and international consultants with experience in the Middle East market and culture, which enables the firm to understand and cater to the specific needs of the clients. The firm also works closely with government organizations in the region to help them improve policies, regulations, and infrastructure to attract more investment and businesses. The firm’s presence in the region is a testament to its commitment to serving the needs of clients in the Middle East and helping them to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.
Bain & Company
Bain & Company is a global management consulting firm that has been serving clients in the Middle East for over 25 years. The firm has a strong presence in the region, with offices in Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh. The firm’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, healthcare, and retail.
In the Middle East, Bain primarily focuses on strategy consulting, working with clients on issues such as corporate strategy, growth and competitiveness, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational design. Bain has a proven track record in helping companies in the region to develop successful strategies and achieve sustainable growth. For example, in the Energy sector, Bain has helped national oil companies and international oil companies to optimize their operations and improve performance.
Bain is also active in the area of operations, working with clients in the Middle East to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. For example, in the healthcare sector, the firm has helped healthcare providers to improve their operations and reduce costs, through process re-engineering, supply chain optimization, and logistics optimization.
In addition, Bain is helping clients in the Middle East to digitally transform, by identifying opportunities to improve their operations and customer experience through digital solutions, such as automation and Artificial Intelligence. They are working with companies across various sectors such as retail, healthcare, and financial services to leverage digital technologies to create new business models and increase their competitiveness.
Moreover, Bain & Company has a significant presence in the region, in terms of its people, it has local and international consultants with experience in the Middle East market and culture, which enables the firm to understand and cater to the specific needs of the clients. The firm also works closely with government organizations in the region to help them improve policies, regulations, and infrastructure to attract more investment and businesses.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm that has a strong presence in the Middle East. The firm has been operating in the region for several decades and has offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh. BCG’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications.
In the Middle East, BCG’s focus is primarily on strategy consulting. They work with clients to help them develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. The firm has a strong reputation for its expertise in the energy sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading oil and gas companies to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. BCG also has a strong track record in the healthcare and retail sectors in the Middle East.
BCG also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The firm has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
BCG is also actively involved in the area of digital transformation in the Middle East, helping organizations across various sectors to leverage digital technologies to create new business models and increase their competitiveness. The firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.
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Strategy&
Strategy& (formerly known as Booz & Company) is a global management consulting firm that has a decent presence in the Middle East with more than 500 employees. The firm has worked with clients in the region for several decades and has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Beirut, Riyadh, Cairo, and, most recently, Doha. Strategy&’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications.
In the Middle East, Strategy& primarily focuses on strategy consulting. They work with clients to help them develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. The firm has deep expertise in the energy sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading oil and gas companies to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. Strategy& also has a strong track record in the retail, telecommunications, and healthcare sectors in the Middle East.
Strategy& also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The firm has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
Strategy& is also actively involved in the area of digital transformation in the Middle East, helping organizations across various sectors to leverage digital technologies to create new business models and increase their competitiveness. The firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.
The firm’s network of experts and global perspectives provide clients in the Middle East with a strategic edge and support them in addressing the most complex and strategic business challenges. As a part of PwC network, Strategy& also works closely with PwC Middle East to provide advisory services to clients across the region.
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman is a global management consulting firm that has a presence in the Middle East. The firm has been serving clients in the region for several decades from its offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh. Oliver Wyman’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as financial services, energy, transportation, and healthcare.
In the Middle East, Oliver Wyman works with clients on a wide range of consulting projects, including strategy, operational improvement, risk management, and organizational design. The firm has deep expertise in the financial services sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading banks and insurance companies to help them address strategic and operational challenges. They also have a strong reputation in the healthcare and transportation sectors in the Middle East.
The firm also focuses on helping clients in the Middle East to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. This can include process re-engineering, supply chain optimization, and logistics optimization. They have also been actively working with clients in the region to help them improve their risk management practices, particularly in areas such as cyber security, enterprise risk management and regulatory compliance.
Oliver Wyman is also helping clients in the Middle East to digitally transform, by identifying opportunities to improve their operations and customer experience through digital solutions, such as automation and Artificial Intelligence. They are working with companies across various sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and transportation to leverage digital technologies to create new business models and increase their competitiveness.
Kearney
Kearney (formerly A.T. Kearney) is a global management consulting firm that has a presence in the Middle East. The firm has been operating in the region for several decades and has an office in Dubai. A.T. Kearney’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, healthcare, financial services, and telecommunications, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, Kearney’s focus is primarily on strategy consulting. They work with clients to help them develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. The firm has a strong reputation in the energy sector, and has worked with many of the region’s leading oil and gas companies to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness. Kearney also has a strong track record in the healthcare, retail and logistics sectors in the Middle East.
Kearney also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The firm has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
In the Middle East, A.T. Kearney is active in the area of digital transformation, working with clients across various sectors to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency and leveraging digital solutions to improve their operations, and customer experience and create new business models.
A.T. Kearney has a reputation for delivering high-quality consulting services and building long-term partnerships with clients in the Middle East. They have a strong team of local and international consultants with experience in the Middle East market and culture, which enables the firm to understand and cater to the specific needs of the clients. The firm’s presence in the region is a testament to its commitment to serving the needs of clients in the Middle East and helping them to achieve sustainable growth and long-term success.
Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services firm that has a significant presence in the Middle East. The firm has been serving clients in the region for several decades and has offices in Al Khobar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha. Accenture’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as energy, telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, Accenture primarily focuses on digital transformation, working with clients to help them leverage technology to improve their operations and customer experience. The firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions, such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics, that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve. Accenture is also helping clients in the region to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness, particularly in the area of innovation.
Accenture also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. The firm has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
In the Middle East, Accenture also has a strong reputation for its expertise in the energy sector, where it has been working with national oil companies and international oil companies to help them optimize their operations, improve their performance and implement digital solutions. The firm is also active in the healthcare and financial services sectors, helping clients to improve their operations, improve their customer experience and implement digital solutions.
EY
Ernst & Young (EY) is a global professional services firm that has a strong presence in the Middle East. The firm has been serving clients in the region for several decades and has offices in most major cities in the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and more. EY’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as financial services, energy, transportation, and healthcare, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, EY offers a wide range of services to its clients, including audit and assurance, consulting, tax and legal, and transaction advisory services. EY is known for its strong expertise in the financial services sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading banks and insurance companies to help them address strategic and operational challenges, including regulatory compliance and digital transformation. The firm also has a strong reputation in the energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors in the Middle East.
EY’s consulting practice in the Middle East focuses on helping clients to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness, particularly in the area of digital transformation, where the firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions, such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics, that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve. The firm also works closely with clients in the region to help them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity.
The firm also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. EY has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
EY’s Tax practice in the Middle East is well-known for its ability to provide tax and legal advisory services. EY’s tax professionals work with clients to help them navigate the complex regulatory environment in the Middle East and minimize the tax impact of their business operations. They also help companies in the region to establish their presence in the local market and support them in growing their business.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PwC, also known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, is a global professional services firm that has a strong presence in the Middle East. The firm has been serving clients in the region for several decades and has offices in most major cities in the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, and more. PwC’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as financial services, energy, transportation, and healthcare, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, PwC offers a wide range of services to its clients, including audit and assurance, consulting, tax and legal, and deals. PwC is known for its strong expertise in the financial services sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading banks and insurance companies to help them address strategic and operational challenges, including regulatory compliance and digital transformation. The firm also has a strong reputation in the energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors in the Middle East.
PwC’s consulting practice in the Middle East focuses on helping clients to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness, particularly in the area of digital transformation, where the firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions, such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics, that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.
PwC also has a strong reputation in the region for its ability to provide tax and legal advisory services. PwC’s tax and legal professionals work with clients to help them navigate the complex regulatory environment in the Middle East and minimize the tax impact of their business operations.
Deloitte
Deloitte is a global professional services firm that has a significant presence in the Middle East. The firm has been serving clients in the region for several decades and has offices in most major cities in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha. Deloitte’s work in the Middle East primarily focuses on helping clients across various industries, such as financial services, energy, transportation, and healthcare, to address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges.
In the Middle East, Deloitte offers a wide range of services to its clients, including audit and assurance, consulting, tax, and legal, and financial advisory. The firm is known for its strong expertise in the financial services sector and has worked with many of the region’s leading banks and insurance companies to help them address strategic and operational challenges, including regulatory compliance and digital transformation. The firm also has a strong reputation in the energy, healthcare, and transportation sectors in the Middle East.
Deloitte’s consulting practice in the Middle East focuses on helping clients to develop and implement strategies for growth and competitiveness, particularly in the area of digital transformation, where the firm has a team of experts who work with clients to help them identify and implement digital solutions, such as automation, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics, that can help them transform their businesses and stay ahead of the curve.
The firm also works with clients in the Middle East on operations, helping them to improve their operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity. Deloitte has helped many companies in the region to optimize their supply chains, improve their logistics and distribution processes, and implement digital technologies to automate and streamline their operations.
In addition to consulting services, Deloitte has a strong reputation in the region for its ability to provide audit and assurance, and tax and legal services. Deloitte’s audit and assurance professionals work to help clients meet regulatory and compliance requirements, and its tax and legal professionals help clients navigate the complex regulatory environment in the Middle East and minimize the tax impact of their business operations.
Other firms
There are other firms, that are currently growing their presence in the region. Among them are
KPMG Strategy
Offices: Dubai
Arthur D. Little
Offices: Dubai, Beirut, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi
OC&C Strategy Consultants
Offices: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat
Roland Berger
Offices: Manama, Beirut, Doha, Riyadh, Dubai
Simon Kucher & Partners
Offices: Cairo, Dubai
Booz Allen Hamilton
Offices: Abu Dhabi. Beirut, Cairo, Doha, Dubai
Alvarez & Marsal
Offices in MENA: Dubai, Riyadh
L.E.K. Consulting
Offices: Mumbai in India is the hub for all work in the Middle East
All of these firms offer a wide range of consulting services, including strategy consulting, operational improvement, digital transformation, and more. They work with clients across various industries, such as healthcare, energy, financial services, and government. These firms have a strong reputation and track record in the region and many of them have been working with major clients in the Middle East for many years.
What work are consulting firms doing in the Middle East?
Management consulting firms in the Middle East work with organizations across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, healthcare, education, telecommunications, and more, to help them address a variety of strategic, operational, and organizational challenges. The work is not too different from other areas of the world, however, since the region is growing so fast with the KSA and UAE leading the pack, the magnitude of the projects is often much longer and the duration longer.
What are the key projects the top-tier firms work on?
- Strategy consulting: Many management consulting firms in the Middle East help organizations develop strategies for growth, expansion, and competitiveness. This often involves analyzing market trends, identifying potential new business opportunities, and developing plans to enter new markets or expand into new sectors.
- Operational improvement: These firms also help organizations in the area improve their operations, which can include identifying areas of inefficiency and implementing solutions to increase productivity and reduce costs. This can include process re-engineering, supply chain optimization, and logistics optimization.
- Digital transformation: As technology is rapidly changing, consulting firms are also helping organizations digitally transform by identifying opportunities to improve their operations and customer experience through digital solutions, such as automation and Artificial Intelligence.
- Organizational design and change management: Management consulting firms may also assist firms in the region to design and implement new organizational structures and processes that better align with the company’s strategy and goals. They may also help organizations navigate and manage change initiatives, such as mergers, acquisitions or organizational restructuring.
- Government advisory: Firms also help the governments of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar improve their policies, regulations, and infrastructure to attract more investment and businesses. Advising government on Public-private partnership, privatization, and more.
- Human capital: Many consulting firms work on Human Capital projects in the Middle East, such as Talent Management, Succession Planning, and Leadership Development to help organizations develop the necessary human capital to support their growth and long-term success.
All of these services aim to help Middle Eastern organizations and governments to become more competitive, efficient, and profitable in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.
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