5 December 2024; Dubai, United Arab Emirates - PwC Middle East released its Corporate Sustainability Impact Report, titled “Our commitment to the region: Creating impact, supporting communities”. The report highlights PwC’s transformative journey of purposeful impact, which included 235 initiatives (up 96% from last year), 16,161 volunteer hours (175% year-on-year increase), and 33,145 beneficiaries (Up from 14,443 last year).
The firm focuses on empowering communities through educational programmes aimed at upskilling youth, women and underprivileged populations in the region. For instance, the SustainIT programme allowed the firm to donate over 1,200 IT assets to support equitable access to education. Similarly, over the course of the year, PwC Middle East worked with 8 organisations on women empowerment programmes where over 17 initiatives were delivered, benefiting more than 280 women across the region, enabling them to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Whether it’s participating in Ramadan initiatives, the annual One Firm Impact Day, or being part of local projects, PwC’s employees invested time to engage in initiatives that foster community and compassion. The commitment to service is reflected in the increasing number of volunteers, doubling their efforts from 2023. In 2024, employees in the Middle East participated in over 40 Ramadan initiatives - with 21 of these programmes taking place in Saudi Arabia.
Individuals also applied their expertise without charge to help nonprofits and social enterprises to transform, empowering them to tackle societal and environmental challenges more effectively. In 2024, employees completed eight pro bono projects - doubling their commitment to pro bono initiatives - across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon and Palestine, allowing organisations to access essential services without diverting their limited funds from core missions.
Reflecting on this year’s progress, Roland Hancock, Education and Skills Leader and Chief Sustainability Officer, PwC Middle East, said: “At PwC Middle East, we measure our success by the positive impact we create in our communities and the environment. Whether providing pro bono services, delivering upskilling for disadvantaged youth, or supporting local startups, we are building a brighter, more sustainable future. Our efforts include environmental restoration and humanitarian support, and through our programmes, we are equipping individuals and communities to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
A central theme of this year’s report is the role of people in driving sustainability forward. Mona Abou Hana, PwC’s Chief People Officer for EMEA and the Middle East, shared: “Giving back isn’t just a responsibility; it’s essential to building a purpose-driven business. Corporate volunteering provides our people with a meaningful way to develop, connect, and give back. When our employees dedicate their expertise to causes that matter, they enrich the lives of others while also gaining essential skills such as empathy and resilience. Our commitment to corporate sustainability is about fostering a culture of purpose and transformation that resonates beyond business objectives, inspiring meaningful change across the communities we support.”
PwC calls on businesses across the region to join in addressing critical challenges and creating a positive impact. Through collaboration, volunteerism, and environmental advocacy, the firm in the Middle East seeks to inspire a broader movement toward purposeful action to give back to communities while aligning its initiatives with local needs and national visions across the region.
Click here for more information on PwC Impact.
About PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 149 countries with more than 370,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.
Established in the Middle East for over 40 years, PwC Middle East has 30 offices across 12 countries in the region with around 12,000 people. (www.pwc.com/me).
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