SETS International
SETS International is a Lebanon-headquartered multidisciplinary engineering and program management consultancy with 850+ experts across 11 offices in 8 countries, serving government ministries, sovereign developers and large private clients in MENA with transport planning, BIM, AI/digital, infrastructure design, and heritage conservation services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBeirut, Lebanon
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SETS International does
SETS International is a privately held, multidisciplinary engineering and program management consultancy headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, with operations across 11 offices in 8 countries on 4 continents (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Uganda, Canada) and a workforce of 850+ experts. Founded in 2005 and co-founded by current Chairman Dr. Isam Kaysi, the firm is structured around nine integrated service lines: Transport Planning & Infrastructure, Program & Construction Management, Architecture/Urban Planning/Landscape, Water/Environment/Sustainability, Electro-Mechanical & Energy, Design Technology (BIM 3D to 7D), Artificial Intelligence & Digital Services, Structural Design, and Heritage Conservation. Its Saudi subsidiary is a Joint Stock Company between SETS s.a.r.l (Lebanon) and Innovative Solutions Office for Architectural Engineering Consultancy, holding CR, Saudi Council of Engineers and SAGIA licenses.
The firm's technical stack combines Building Information Modeling (3D to 7D) using Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD Utility Design and Revit with transport modeling suites (Emme, PTV VISUM/VISSIM/VISTRO, CUBE, SYNCHRO, TransCAD, Paramics, Aimsun), geospatial analysis and proprietary data platforms. AI and digital products include COVREX (a spatiotemporal COVID-19 risk index), the MMS Mobility Management System (an AI-powered transport command-and-control platform completed in 2025), the MENA Observatory on Responsible AI (for the American University in Cairo), and the Urban Observatory AI Assistant. Underlying data assets comprise 0.5M+ records across 3,000+ km of roads and 25+ warehoused datasets over five years, with Arabic text-mining applied to crowdsourced accident data. The firm uses AI capability types spanning NLP, predictive analytics (a SMART scoring framework covering Safety, Mobility, Accessibility, Reliability), optimization, knowledge retrieval and process automation.
SETS generates revenue through project-based professional services fees for engineering consultancy, program and construction management, and increasingly through proprietary digital products embedded in those engagements. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales: senior leadership-led business development targeted at government ministries, sovereign-backed developers and large private sector clients, combined with competitive tendering, direct appointments and framework agreements with international development organizations (UNHCR, World Bank). Primary client segments are Government Ministries & Authorities (Saudi ministries of transport, municipalities, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Makkah Region Development Authority, the Egyptian Ministry of Transport) and large Real Estate Developers/Investors (PIF, Qiddiya Investment Company, Diriyah Gate Company, Majid Al Futtaim, Orascom). Recurring anchor engagements include a SAR 3.0B PMO for the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Project for the Reconstruction of Makkah, traffic management for the USD 22B Riyadh Metro, involvement in a USD 23B Saudi road prioritization program across ~25,000 km, and program management for the 6,300-hectare King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Branding is reinforced by four consecutive years on ENR's Top 225 International Design Firms and a Top 15 MENA ranking.
SETS International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SETS International
- Legal name
- SETS International s.a.r.l
- Website
- https://setsintl.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SETS International is a Lebanon-headquartered multidisciplinary engineering and program management consultancy with 850+ experts across 11 offices in 8 countries, serving government ministries, sovereign developers and large private clients in MENA with transport planning, BIM, AI/digital, infrastructure design, and heritage conservation services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SETS International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Engineering Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Engineering Services (541330), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Systems Engineering & Technical Program Management (BPAHAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial/Process Plant General Contracting (IMAFAAAH), Engineering design services (line design, substation design, civil/structural) (EUADAKAG)
Keywords
Where SETS International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beirut
- HQ country
- Lebanon
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices10 records
Markets served
SETS International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Engineering Consultancy Services: SETS generates revenue through project-based engineering consultancy fees for transport planning, infrastructure design, architecture, electromechanical services, BIM services, AI/digital services, heritage conservation, and structural design. Revenue is earned through competitive tenders, direct appointments, and framework agreements with government agencies and private developers.
- Program & Construction Management Services: Fees for project management, program management, and construction supervision services delivered through PMO establishment and operation.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
SETS International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SETS International is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy firm providing specialist services across seven core disciplines: transport planning and infrastructure, program and construction management, architecture and urban planning, water and environment, electromechanical and energy, design technology (BIM), and artificial intelligence/digital services. The firm delivers end-to-end engineering solutions from strategic planning and design through construction supervision, supported by advanced BIM 3D-7D modeling, AI-driven data analytics, and proprietary digital platforms for transport management and heritage conservation.
Product overview
SETS International is a multinational engineering consultancy firm operating across 11 offices in 8 countries on 4 continents with 850+ experts. The company offers a portfolio of professional service lines organized as an integrated engineering and consulting practice rather than a unified software product. The core service offerings include: (1) Transport Planning & Infrastructure covering strategic transport planning, traffic management, and BIM for highways; (2) Program & Construction Management providing PMO and project advisory services; (3) Architecture, Urban Planning & Landscape; (4) Water, Environment & Sustainability; (5) Electro-Mechanical & Energy; (6) Design Technology (BIM 3D-7D modeling); (7) Artificial Intelligence & Digital Services (data platforms, AI tools, web applications); (8) Structural Design; and (9) Heritage Conservation. Notable digital products include the MMS Mobility Management System, Urban Observatory AI Assistant, MENA Observatory on Responsible AI, and COVREX COVID-19 Risk Index. The company leverages proprietary datasets and domain expertise to deliver AI-driven solutions for engineering projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mindsets: Member firm of SETS Group providing strategic management advisory services, including advisory services for Makkah Region Development Authority.
Products and services
- Transport Planning & Infrastructure Services Strategic transport planning, transport policies and systems, transport engineering and modeling, traffic management, smart cities, urban infrastructure development, highways, bridges, traffic studies, transport demand modeling, and intelligent transport systems delivered to government ministries, municipalities, and private developers.
- Program & Construction Management Services Comprehensive program management services including project management, program management, construction management and supervision, Project/Program Management Office (PMO) establishment, and project advisory services for complex infrastructure and development projects.
- Architecture, Urban Planning & Landscape Services Comprehensive architectural design, urban planning, and landscape architecture services for private developers and public authorities, covering individual sites, large-scale developments, and mixed-use projects with sustainable solutions.
- Water, Environment & Sustainability Services Engineering and science consulting for environmental challenges and water management, including water infrastructure, wet utilities (water supply, sewage, stormwater drainage, irrigation), municipal and industrial waste management, environmental assessments, and climate resilience.
- Electro-Mechanical & Energy Services Full spectrum of electromechanical services and energy solutions including MV/LV distribution, telecommunications, lighting, ITS, HVAC, firefighting, plumbing, construction management, and sustainability assessments (LEED, BREEAM, ESTDAMA, QSAS).
- Design Technology (BIM) Services Building Information Modeling (BIM) 3D to 7D modeling, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) with 4D and 5D modeling, facility management support, and innovative tools for design workflows and project stakeholder coordination across infrastructure, roads, highways, utilities, architecture, structures, and MEP disciplines.
- Artificial Intelligence & Digital Services
Quantifiable outcome
- ENR ranking improved from 184 to 171 worldwide over four consecutive years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SETS International
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SETS International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature7 records
SETS International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ASD (Architecture Studio Design)coreSETS collaborates with ASD on heritage conservation projects in Jeddah Historic District, providing technical support, restoration design, and construction supervision services for the rescue and conservation of historic buildings in alignment with UNESCO guidelines.
- Nesma & PartnerscoreJoint venture partnership for the MASAR Project infrastructure design in Makkah, including design development using 3D BIM models for roads, wet utilities, dry utilities, MEP and architecture with automatic clash detection.
- AYESAcoreJoint venture SETS-AYESA for Thumamah Road upgrade project in Riyadh, covering highway design, infrastructure design, hydrological studies, and utilities coordination across an 18 km urban freeway section with 10 grade-separated interchanges.
- Louis Berger / Hill International JVcoreSETS acts as the Traffic Management Team for the Louis Berger/Hill International PMCM joint venture on Riyadh Metro Lines 4, 5, and 6, providing specialized services to review, advise on, and approve traffic management plans during metro construction.
- IMK EngineeringminorLocal partner in Uganda providing technical support services for construction supervision of the Gulf State embassy project in Kampala, supporting SETS' East Africa expansion.
- Talaat-Imam Consulting EngineerscoreJoint venture partnership for the Sustainable Rural Sanitation Services Program (SRSSP) in Egypt, serving as Program Management Consultant for Phase 2 covering sanitation services to over 120,000 households in 46 villages.
- GOPA InfracorePartnership for Kitchener Drain Project Wastewater Component in Egypt, assisting the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities in planning and managing wastewater collection systems serving around 400,000 people.
- Mindsets Strategy & Decision AdvisorscoreMindsets is a sister company within SETS Group, providing strategic management advisory services. Awarded contract for Makkah Region Development Authority strategic alignment advisory, demonstrating integrated service offerings within the group.
- GOPA-INFRAcorePartnership for Participatory Infrastructure Project (PIP) in Egypt, commissioned by GIZ, to undertake design and supervision services for infrastructure improvements in informal areas of Greater Cairo Region.
- ASD ArchitectscoreCollaboration on Makkah Techno Valley project with ASD Architects as international master planner, providing detailed master plan, roads and infrastructure design, and technical coordination for the innovation park.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SETS International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- IDOM: Spain-headquartered engineering consultancy with growing Middle East presence, particularly in transport and infrastructure. Comparable to SETS in multidisciplinary service offering and emerging international footprint, though smaller in MENA.
Broad incumbents
- Arcadis: Global design and consultancy firm with MENA presence (Arcadis Middle East). Overlaps with SETS in transport planning, water/environment, and urban development services for government clients.
- Parsons Corporation: US-headquartered engineering firm with a long-standing Middle East presence focused on transport, defense, and critical infrastructure. Competes with SETS on Riyadh Metro PMCM-adjacent work, traffic management, and Saudi infrastructure programs.
- Bechtel: Global engineering, construction, and project management firm active in MENA megaprojects. Competes with SETS on large PMO and infrastructure programs in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, often at higher scale.
- AECOM: Global engineering and professional services firm with very large MENA presence, particularly Saudi Arabia. Competes with SETS on transport planning, urban development, and PMO mandates for Vision 2030 programs but at much larger scale and balance sheet.
- AtkinsRéalis: Global engineering services and nuclear firm with active MENA operations (formerly Atkins/SNC-Lavalin). Competes for transport, urban design, and program management mandates across the Gulf, overlapping with SETS service lines.
- WSP Global: Global consultancy with significant MENA footprint (acquired Wood E&I), competing for transport, environment, and infrastructure design mandates. Overlaps with SETS in transport planning, water, environment, and PMO services.
- Jacobs Solutions: Global engineering, technical, scientific, and consulting firm with established Saudi and GCC operations. Overlaps with SETS on transport, water, environment, and program management services for government and mega-project clients.
Direct peers
- Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners): Lebanon-rooted, multidisciplinary international engineering consultancy with deep MENA roots and ENR Top 50 ranking. Closest direct comparable to SETS in service mix (transport, urban, infrastructure, PM/CM), client base (governments and giga-developers), and Lebanon-headquartered heritage.
- KEO International Consultants: Kuwait-headquartered multidisciplinary engineering consultancy with strong MENA footprint and similar service portfolio (transport, architecture, PM/CM, MEP). Closest mid-sized peer in scale, geography, and client mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SETS International social profiles
Digital presenceSETS International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SETS International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
SETS International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SETS International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SETS International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SETS International
What does SETS International do?
SETS International is a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy firm providing specialist services across seven core disciplines: transport planning and infrastructure, program and construction management, architecture and urban planning, water and environment, electromechanical and energy, design technology (BIM), and artificial intelligence/digital services. The firm delivers end-to-end engineering solutions from strategic planning and design through construction supervision, supported by advanced BIM 3D-7D modeling, AI-driven data analytics, and proprietary digital platforms for transport management and heritage conservation.
Is SETS International a public or private company?
SETS International is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SETS International founded?
SETS International was founded in 2005. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SETS International based?
SETS International is headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Middle East region.
How does SETS International make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Engineering Consultancy Services are the primary driver. The others are program & Construction Management Services.
Who are SETS International's main competitors?
IDOM is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Arcadis, Parsons Corporation, Bechtel, AECOM, AtkinsRéalis, WSP Global and Jacobs Solutions. Direct peers are Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) and KEO International Consultants.
Does SETS International have an API?
No public API is recorded for SETS International.
What industry is SETS International in?
SETS International's product category is Engineering Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAIAI, Systems Engineering & Technical Program Management, with a secondary code of IMAFAAAH, Industrial/Process Plant General Contracting. Its NAICS code is 541330 and its SIC code is 8711.