PwC Middle East has signed an agreement to acquire Emkan Education, a Saudi-based consultancy specializing in education and skills development advisory services. The formal announcement was made as part of a ceremony at the Ministry of Investment, where His Excellency Eng. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, made it official. The move underlines PwC's commitment to continuing to be at the heart of supporting Saudi Arabia's goal of transforming the education sector and developing its talent pool in support of the Kingdom's efforts for economic diversification.
The development of the education and skills sectors forms an essential pillar toward achieving the goals set forth in Saudi Vision 2030, which include workforce development, driving innovation, and empowering citizens.
The firm will thus be acquiring a high-performing team of experts known to lead and enhance deep knowledge in the educational sector. The purchase of Emkan Education by PwC will elevate the capabilities of the PwC organization in education and skills in the Middle East. The three team leaders are extremely respected Saudi women, and the change they have been spearheading in the education sector positively aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which relies more on national talent, increasing female workforce participation.
Indeed, it will be led by Roland Hancock, PwC's Partner and Education & Skills Leader. With the coalition of Emkan Education's local expertise with PwC's global outreach, the firm will be able to provide the most comprehensive support to clients across the region to help them achieve their strategic goals and contribute to the creation of a dynamic, forward-thinking education system in Saudi Arabia.
Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Emkan Education to PwC Middle East. This combination is a significant milestone in our commitment to helping shape the future of education across the region. By integrating Emkan’s deep expertise with PwC’s global capabilities, we are strengthening our ability to deliver tailored solutions that align with the broader goals of economic transformation and skills development across the Middle East. Together, we will help build a future-ready education ecosystem that empowers the next generation of leaders and innovators throughout the region”.
Commenting on the announcement, Riyadh AlNajjar, Middle East Chairman of the Board and KSA Senior Partner at PwC Middle East, said: “Education and upskilling is the cornerstone of sustainable development, driving progress across all sectors. At PwC, we are deeply committed to supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. This acquisition strengthens our ability to help clients deliver world-class education while fostering the local talent and expertise that will be critical to the future success of Saudi Arabia’s knowledge economy”.
Dr Mounira Jamjoom, Co-founder of Emkan Education noted: “Joining forces with PwC Middle East marks an exciting new chapter for our consultancy. Together, we are committed to delivering bespoke solutions that will enhance Saudi Arabia’s education system, drive human capital development, and play a key role in achieving the transformative goals of Vision 2030”.
Basma Bushnak, CEO, Emkan Education added: “This is an achievement not just for Emkan Education but for all Saudi professionals. I am confident that this partnership will lead us to new heights and I look forward to what we can achieve together”.
