Zahid Group Expands Data and AI Strategy with Snowflake Platform
Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group is expanding its enterprise data and AI capabilities through a multi-year engagement with Snowflake, with the companies targeting improved data governance, faster reporting and broader use of artificial intelligence across the diversified business group. Zahid Group, which operates across sectors including heavy equipment, energy, transport and manufacturing, formalised the agreement with Snowflake during a signing ceremony at Zahid Business Park in Jeddah.
The initiative is being led by Zahid Group’s Digital Solutions Division and focuses on consolidating data from different business units and departments onto a centralised, governed and scalable platform. The move is intended to give business leaders faster access to consistent information while reducing the manual work involved in consolidating and reconciling reports. In a subsequent phase, Zahid Group plans to use Snowflake Cortex AI to allow employees to interact with enterprise data using natural-language queries.
The initiative comes as Saudi Arabia continues to increase investment in AI and digital infrastructure. The Saudi Council of Ministers has designated 2026 as the Year of AI, while PwC estimates that AI could contribute approximately 12.4% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030. Zahid Group previously operated with data distributed across multiple systems, requiring manual consolidation and contributing to inconsistencies in reporting. The company began testing Snowflake through the Caterpillar Helios initiative, which demonstrated the use of secure, real-time data sharing.
Following that initial deployment, Zahid Group is expanding the platform across its wider digital environment. The implementation includes real-time data streaming and integration with core business platforms, including Infor and Salesforce. According to the company, the resulting data architecture has helped standardise reporting processes and reduce month-end reporting cycles from several days to hours, and in some cases minutes. The reduction in manual processes is also intended to improve consistency and provide business leaders with more timely information for decision-making.
Suzan Sadek, Group IT Manager, Zahid Group, said, “Data is one of the most valuable assets of the digital economy. By choosing Snowflake, we are building a trusted and scalable data foundation that enables AI-driven innovation, faster decision-making, and improved customer experience. This transformation strengthens Zahid Group’s competitiveness, while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to create a data-driven economy.”
Michel Nader, General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey & Africa, Snowflake, said, “Zahid Group is demonstrating how trusted data can become the foundation for enterprise AI at scale. Snowflake brings information closer to customers while providing leading AI capabilities to enable digital transformation across Zahid’s operating environment. We are proud to support the company’s next phase too, where employees can access trusted insights faster and strengthen the Group’s ability to create lasting and scalable value across its businesses.”
The next stage of the programme will focus on expanding the use of governed data products, advanced analytics and AI capabilities across additional functions within Zahid Group. The company said the broader objective is to make data more accessible across its operations while establishing a foundation for further AI adoption and digital transformation.
