NADEC Achieves ISO/IEC 42001

AJMS Group supports one of the Kingdom’s largest food and agriculture companies in achieving the world’s first AI management system standard—a milestone for Vision 2030’s responsible AI ambitions.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC), one of Saudi Arabia’s largest integrated agriculture and food production companies, has achieved ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification—the world’s first internationally recognized standard for artificial intelligence management systems (AIMS). The certification was achieved through end-to-end advisory and implementation support delivered by AJMS Global, the consulting arm of AJMS Group, a professional services group specializing in governance, risk, compliance, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies across the GCC, wider MENA, Asia, and Africa.

The achievement places NADEC among a select group of early adopters in the Kingdom and signals a broader shift underway across the region: AI governance is no longer a technical afterthought. It is a boardroom priority and, increasingly, a competitive advantage.

Why This Certification Matters

Published by the International Organization for Standardization in December 2023, ISO/IEC 42001 is the first globally accepted management system standard dedicated to artificial intelligence. Unlike conventional technology certifications, it demands continuous, enterprise-wide oversight of AI, spanning governance structures, risk assessment, ethical principles, lifecycle controls, performance monitoring, and independent audit, transforming AI governance from a technical exercise into a management discipline.

For NADEC, where AI increasingly powers precision agriculture, predictive analytics, supply chain optimization, and enterprise decision-making, the certification provides independent assurance that these technologies are governed with accountability, transparency, and human oversight, foundations of stakeholder trust in a sector central to the Kingdom’s food security.

Inside the Engagement

AJMS Global served as NADEC’s strategic implementation partner from initial readiness assessment through successful certification. The engagement went well beyond documentation, delivering the following:

• A comprehensive gap assessment against ISO/IEC 42001 requirements

• Design and implementation of an enterprise-wide AI Management System (AIMS)

• AI governance structures, accountability frameworks, and executive oversight mechanisms

• Risk identification, assessment, and treatment methodologies across the AI lifecycle

• Policies governing data quality, model development, validation, deployment, and monitoring

• Strengthened controls for transparency, explainability, ethics, and human oversight

• Organizational capability-building through awareness programs, internal audits, and certification readiness

By embedding governance into day-to-day operations rather than treating certification as a standalone exercise, AJMS Global equipped NADEC with a scalable framework that supports future AI innovation while managing regulatory, operational, and reputational risk.

Executive Commentary

“Achieving ISO/IEC 42001 certification signifies an organization’s commitment to building trust into every stage of its AI journey. NADEC’s leadership showed remarkable vision by embedding governance alongside innovation from the outset. We are proud to have partnered with them in implementing an AI management system that meets global best practices and positions the organization for sustainable growth as AI adoption accelerates across the Kingdom. This milestone sets a strong benchmark for responsible AI in Saudi Arabia’s agriculture and food sector—and reflects where leading enterprises across the GCC are heading.”

— Dr. Abhishek Jajoo, Founder and Chairman, AJMS Group

A Multi-Jurisdictional AI Governance Practice

As regulators across the Gulf and beyond accelerate AI governance frameworks, AJMS Group has built one of the region’s fastest-growing practices spanning AI governance, cybersecurity, digital trust, and enterprise risk management. The group advises clients on internationally recognized standards, including ISO/IEC 42001, alongside jurisdiction-specific regimes such as Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), SDAIA, and Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) frameworks; the UAE’s Central Bank (CBUAE), DFSA, ADGM/FSRA, and VARA requirements; regulatory frameworks across Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain; the State Bank of Pakistan’s cybersecurity and governance requirements; and evolving data protection and digital regulation across India, Egypt, and key African markets.

This footprint across the GCC, MENA, Asia, and Africa enables AJMS Group to help regional and multinational clients — in financial services, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and government — implement governance frameworks that travel across borders.

Advancing Saudi Vision 2030

The certification aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030, which positions artificial intelligence as a strategic driver of economic diversification and global competitiveness. By adopting internationally recognized AI governance standards ahead of anticipated regulation, NADEC demonstrates how organizations in critical sectors can innovate at pace without compromising public trust—and how governance itself is becoming a source of competitive advantage across the Middle East.

About NADEC

The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) is one of the Middle East's largest integrated agricultural and food production companies, with operations spanning dairy, agriculture, food processing, distribution, and supply chain management. Through continuous investment in innovation and sustainability, NADEC plays a significant role in advancing food security in Saudi Arabia while supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives.

About AJMS Group

AJMS Group is a leading professional services group delivering advisory solutions across governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, digital transformation, internal audit, and business consulting. Through its consulting arm, AJMS Global, and affiliated entities, the group serves public and private sector organizations across the GCC, wider MENA, Asia, and Africa—helping clients strengthen resilience, accelerate innovation, and navigate complex regulatory environments through practical, business-focused solutions aligned with international best practices.