Kiyadat:
Driving national talent impact across the GCC
Kiyadat, Deloitte Middle East’s Centre of Excellence for national talent development, reflects Deloitte’s commitment to empowering GCC professionals to lead the region’s future. Meaning “leaders” in Arabic, Kiyadat equips national professionals with skills, mentorship, and networks to rise into leadership roles across technology, innovation, and business sectors.
Over the past year, Kiyadat has delivered measurable impact across the GCC, turning vision into action. Emiratization rose to 9% and Saudization reached 50%, reflecting Deloitte Middle East’s strong contribution to nationalization priorities. More than 60 UAE nationals directly engaged with Deloitte leaders, participating in influential conversations, while new Youth Councils launched in the UAE and KSA gave young professionals a platform to shape industry dialogue and policy.
Deloitte Middle East introduced and expanded flagship initiatives to accelerate career growth. The Masar KSA program brought over 100 students from leading Saudi universities to Deloitte’s Riyadh office for immersive sessions with business leaders, while KFUPM Job Shadowing Program provided 12 students with hands-on experience across five business lines. In the UAE, 32 career fairs and workshops strengthened outreach, helping attract and nurture the next generation of talent.
Kiyadat also deepened its commitment to mentorship and leadership development. The Najahi program successfully launched with 100 nominations and 22 mentee matches, offering personalized coaching for high-potential professionals. Meanwhile, 20 Bright Stars and 10 Bright Start professionals were onboarded, and 21 UAE nationals in the Mustaqbaly program registered for the ACCA pathway, one already achieving a certification. These programs allow graduates and students to "earn while they learn," combining education, employment, and professional growth.
Recognition of Kiyadat’s influence grew this year. For the first time, Kiyadat was represented at Gitex, while Deloitte’s Fast 50 report spotlighted Kiyadat as a new category, highlighting 60+ start-ups qualified under its umbrella. Media presence, including Dubai TV coverage of the UAE Youth Council, amplified the initiative’s reach and visibility.
Through strategic partnerships, such as the ongoing ADGMA collaboration for the PAQT program and secondment opportunities with clients, Kiyadat ensured national talent gained exposure to global best practices and sustainable career pathways.
This past year demonstrated that Kiyadat is more than a vision; it is a platform of impact. By combining structured career pathways, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, Deloitte Middle East is not only preparing GCC nationals for the future of work, it is empowering them to lead it today.
