What Altai Consulting does

Altai Consulting is a Paris-headquartered boutique advisory firm founded in 2003 in Afghanistan by three French consultants — Emmanuel de Dinechin (ex-Monitor), Rodolphe Baudeau (ex-L'Oréal), and Eric Davin — to deliver strategy, research, and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services in developing countries. The firm serves governments in fragile and conflict-affected states, multilateral institutions (World Bank, UN agencies, EU trust funds), bilateral donors (FCDO, Danida, AFD, GIZ), industry associations (GSMA, GOGLA), and private-sector clients operating in emerging markets, with active delivery in 50+ countries and 400+ projects representing €4 billion in cumulative program work value. Service lines span migration and forced displacement, peace and security, economic growth, environment and climate, renewable energy, financial inclusion, telecom and digital, agriculture, social performance, consumer goods, and industrial sectors, underpinned by field research capabilities, GIS mapping, and quantitative survey methods.

The firm does not sell a software product platform; revenue is generated through project-based consulting engagements priced on a quote basis against client-specific scopes, sourced via direct business development and professional networks rather than traditional marketing channels. Core technology is centered on field research methodologies, monitoring and evaluation systems, stakeholder engagement approaches, GIS mapping, and quantitative surveys, with sister company Masae Analytics providing complementary data analytics and visualization services. The client roster is dominated by institutional donors and international organizations, with private-sector work concentrated in commercial and operational due diligence for investors in agro-processing, FMCG, digital, energy, and construction. The firm operates with 101-250 employees, holds GDPR compliance, and has earned recognition including the 2004 Mercure des Entrepreneurs award, the 2021 UNICEF Best Of Research award, and a 2025 Central Bank of Iraq recognition for its National Financial Inclusion Strategy contribution.

Name

Altai Consulting

Legal name

Altai Consulting

Website

https://altaiconsulting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Altai Consulting is a Paris-based boutique advisory firm delivering strategy, research, and monitoring and evaluation services to governments, multilaterals, donors, and private-sector clients across 50+ developing countries, with 400+ projects completed since its 2003 founding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy & Corporate Development Consulting (BPAHACAA)

Keywords

• Development consulting
• Strategy advisory
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Impact assessment
• Market research

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Advisory and Consulting Services: Boutique advisory firm providing strategy, research, monitoring and evaluation, and social performance consulting services to governments, international organizations, foundations, and private sector clients across developing countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Altai Consulting is a boutique advisory firm providing strategy, research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services to governments, international organisations, foundations, investors and private companies operating in developing countries. The firm delivers project-based consulting engagements across eight thematic areas—migration and forced displacement, peace and security, economic growth, social performance, environment and climate, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and telecom and digital—covering commercial and operational due diligence, impact assessment, and program design for clients across 50+ countries.

Product overview

Altai Consulting is a boutique advisory firm providing strategy, research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services to governments, international organisations, foundations, investors and private players operating in developing countries. The firm does not offer a software product platform but rather delivers professional consulting services across multiple thematic areas including migration and forced displacement, peace and security, economic growth, environment and climate, renewable energy, financial inclusion, telecom and digital, agriculture, consumer goods, and industry sectors. The company operates with a presence in over 50 countries and has a sister company, Masae Analytics, which provides data analytics and visualization services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Masae Analytics: Sister company providing data analytics and visualisation services, referenced as a partner for analytical work

Products and services

• Strategy Consulting Services Strategy consulting engagements for governments, international organizations, foundations, investors, and private sector clients operating in developing countries. Covers strategic advisory across telecom and digital, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and other sectors.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Services Real-time monitoring, evaluation and learning services for migration and mobility programmes across 22 African countries, encompassing over 400 projects. Includes field research, quantitative survey methods, and rigorous M&E frameworks.
• Migration and Forced Displacement Research Research and advisory services for migration patterns, vulnerable groups, and forced displacement programmes. Conducts detailed studies of migration patterns and research with vulnerable groups to understand their needs and foster inclusion.
• Renewable Energy Business Model Assessment Assessment of innovative clean energy business models across Africa and Asia. Includes impact assessment of more than 250 clean energy business models.
• Financial Inclusion Advisory Advisory and research services supporting financial inclusion strategy development, including contribution to national financial inclusion strategies (e.g., Iraq's National Financial Inclusion Strategy).
• Commercial and Operational Due Diligence Commercial and operational due diligence in the agro-processing, FMCG, digital and telecom, energy, and construction sectors to support investors and companies seeking to raise funds.
• Agricultural Value Chain Digitisation Consulting Advisory services to digitise agricultural value chains benefiting smallholder farmers, delivered across more than 25 countries.
• Peace, Security and Stabilisation Monitoring Monitoring and advisory services for security and stabilisation activities across fragile and conflict-affected regions in Africa and the Middle East.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ projects delivered across 22 African countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Masae AnalyticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing analytics and data services. Collaboration enables integrated consulting and analytics offerings to clients.
• GSMAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal industry association representing mobile operators. Collaboration on telecom and digital development initiatives in developing markets.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency implementing international cooperation projects. Partner on development consulting engagements.
• World BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational financial institution providing loans and grants to governments. Collaboration on development projects and advisory services.
• DanidamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish development cooperation agency. Partner on development consulting and capacity building projects.
• FCDOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Partner on international development programs and consulting engagements.
• EUmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union institutions and funding mechanisms. Partner on development projects funded by EU trust funds and programs.
• AFDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Development Agency providing financing and technical assistance. Collaboration on development projects in partner countries.
• CGAPmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultative Group to Assist the Poor. Partnership on financial inclusion advisory services and research.
• GOGLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal association for off-grid solar energy. Partnership on clean energy business model assessment and market development.
• IUCNminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Union for Conservation of Nature. Partnership on environmental and climate-related consulting engagements.
• WWFminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Wildlife Fund. Partnership on environmental conservation and sustainable development projects.
• Conservation InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization focused on conservation. Partnership on climate and environment-related advisory services.
• ItadminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development consultancy. Partnership on monitoring, evaluation and learning projects.
• IntegrityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultancy specializing in governance, security, and justice. Partnership on development consulting engagements.
• Mott MacDonaldminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlobal engineering and development consultancy. Partnership on project implementation and advisory services.
• Tana CopenhagenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDanish consultancy specializing in governance and development. Partnership on monitoring and evaluation projects.
• BDO LLPminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional services firm. Partnership on financial and advisory consulting engagements.
• EcorysminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResearch and consulting company. Partnership on development research and evaluation projects.
• IIEDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Institute for Environment and Development. Partnership on sustainable development research and advisory.
• Grameen Foundation USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrofinance organization. Partnership on financial inclusion and livelihood development projects.
• AXA ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate advisory services provider. Partnership on climate risk and adaptation consulting.
• Acre AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural and climate resilience organization. Partnership on agricultural development projects.
• TALIRIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch organization focused on livestock and agriculture. Partnership on agricultural value chain projects.
• CiradminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench agricultural research organization. Partnership on agricultural development and research.
• NitidaeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable development consultancy. Partnership on environmental and agricultural consulting.
• Vertigo LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable development consultancy. Partnership on environmental assessment and advisory services.
• Danish Refugee CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization. Partnership on migration and forced displacement consulting engagements.
• NRCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Refugee Council. Partnership on displacement and refugee assistance consulting.
• Durable SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on durable solutions for displaced populations. Partnership on displacement consulting.
• Impact InitiativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian research and analysis organization. Partnership on impact assessment and research.
• ChemonicsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development consultancy. Partnership on development project implementation.
• DT GlobalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development firm. Partnership on development consulting and project delivery.
• WYG/UpperQuartileminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational development consultancy. Partnership on project implementation and advisory.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dalberg Global Development Advisors: Boutique strategy and policy advisory firm focused exclusively on international development, emerging markets, and social impact — directly comparable to Altai in client base, geography, and project-based advisory model.
• Palladium: International development consultancy delivering strategy, M&E, and implementation services to donors and DFIs across emerging markets — overlapping with Altai's MEL and thematic practice areas.
• Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI): Large global development firm providing consulting and implementation services to bilateral and multilateral donors — directly comparable in donor-funded advisory and emerging-market operations.
• Chemonics International: International development consultancy and implementation partner to USAID, FCDO, and other donors — overlapping with Altai's donor-funded project delivery and partnership ecosystem.
• Oxford Policy Management: Policy-focused development consultancy advising governments and donors on economic growth, social policy, and M&E in developing countries — closely comparable practice mix and client base.
• Genesis Analytics: Africa-headquartered development consultancy providing economic advisory, M&E, and social impact services to DFIs and donors — comparable in emerging-market focus and donor-client mix.
• Itad: Specialist M&E and learning consultancy serving international development clients — directly overlaps with Altai's MEL practice and is listed as an active project partner.
• DT Global: International development firm delivering advisory and program implementation for donors across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East — comparable in geography, donor clients, and project-based engagement model.

Broad incumbents

• McKinsey & Company (Social Sector Practice): Global strategy consultancy with a dedicated Social Sector practice serving multilateral institutions and governments on development strategy — broader portfolio but overlapping donor clients and policy-advisory work.
• Boston Consulting Group (Social Impact practice): Global consultancy with a Social Impact and International Organizations practice serving development institutions — broader portfolio but directly competitive for high-end development advisory mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Altai Consulting