Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a central force in the regional digital economy, with plans to expand its technology sector by over 150% in the coming years. Anchored in its economic diversification strategy, the Kingdom views technology as a strategic driver of sustainable development rather than just a supporting tool.
This vision is reflected in initiatives supporting startups, specialized investment funds, and hosting major events such as LEAP, now one of the world’s largest technology gatherings. Valued at SAR180 billion in 2024, Saudi Arabia’s ICT market is the largest and fastest-growing in the Middle East and North Africa.
Massive Infrastructure and Talent Development
The Kingdom has been among the first to scale 5G networks, ranking in the global top 10 for mobile internet speed. In 2024 alone, investments of more than $4.4 billion from global players like Google Cloud and Oracle boosted cloud and data center capacity, with 31 cloud service providers now operating in the country. HONOR pledged $100 million and Zoom $75 million to expand local infrastructure.
Talent development is equally prioritized, with over 100,000 young people trained in programming and AI. Female participation in the sector has reached 30%, surpassing the global average.
Regulatory Reforms and Future Innovation
Saudi Arabia has streamlined regulations to accelerate startups and emerging technologies such as digital payments and e-commerce. The rollout of the RPKI framework lifted adoption rates from 15% to 95% — the highest among G20 nations.
The Kingdom is also pioneering future technologies, including spectrum allocation for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), licensing of non-terrestrial networks for satellite and space innovation, and specialized wireless licenses for industrial applications such as Aramco Digital. Spectrum auctions in key bands are further enabling next-generation telecom services.
Becoming a Digital Economy Leader
With these efforts, Saudi Arabia has shifted from being a consumer of advanced technologies to becoming a developer and producer. Today, the Kingdom drives 50% of regional digital economy growth, with the sector valued at SAR495 billion and contributing around 15% to national GDP.
