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Saudi Arabia in Focus: AEI’s Top 10 Business Insights | January 2026

  • Jan 29
  • 2 min read

A dynamic aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcasing the city's expanding infrastructure, busy road networks, and urban development — reflecting the Kingdom's rapid economic growth and Vision 2030 transformation.


January’s Top Ten: Saudi Arabia’s Market Momentum Continues into 2026


Saudi Arabia opened 2026 with continued strength in its economic transformation, underpinned by sustained investment flows, expanding international partnerships, and targeted policy reforms. Early indicators from January point to a market that remains active and opportunity-rich, even as government priorities sharpen around sustainability, localisation, and long-term delivery.

Investment volumes have now surpassed $400 billion, while venture capital activity reached a record $1.7 billion in 2025, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as the Middle East’s leading destination for capital deployment. At the same time, PIF-backed funding into AI infrastructure signals a clear strategic pivot toward future-facing sectors aligned with productivity, innovation, and national competitiveness.


Policy developments also featured prominently. The Kingdom has opened parts of its real estate market to foreign individuals and entities, while a new phase of Nitiqat Saudization programmes aims to localise hundreds of thousands of roles over the next three years. Together, these initiatives strengthen the foundations of a more resilient, skills-driven private sector.


Tourism, innovation, and global cooperation continue to build momentum, with visitor numbers reaching new highs, patent filings accelerating, and new mining partnerships signed with key international partners. Even where project reprioritisation has made headlines, the broader market narrative remains one of recalibration rather than retreat.


  1. Saudi Arabia surpasses $400bn in investment volume, Kingdom’s minister of investment announced. Read here

  2. Saudi pulled $1.72bn in venture capital funding in 2025, the highest in the Middle East – up 145% from 2024. Read here

  3. KSA opens real estate market to foreign buyers. Read here

  4. Saudi Arabia’s National Infrastructure Fund & PIF-backed Humain secures up to $1.2bn to expand AI infrastructure. Read here

  5. Kingdom aims to localize 340k jobs over the next 3 years with new Saudization regulations. Read here

  6. Global Labor Market Conference closes with 90 deals signed in Kingdom. Read here

  7. Saudi Arabia signs mining cooperation MoUs with Chile, Canada and Brazil. Read here

  8. Visitor numbers reach a new high of 122 million in 2025, bringing the Kingdom closer to its 2030 tourism target. Read here

  9. Saudi Arabia reports surge in patent filings amid innovation drive. Read here

  10. Saudi Arabia halts construction of Mukaab project in Riyadh. Read here


Saudi Arabia begins 2026 with strong fundamentals, active capital deployment, and a clearer focus on sustainable growth reinforcing the Kingdom’s appeal as a long-term market for international investors and operators.


Follow AEI Saudi for monthly insight into the policy shifts, market signals, and opportunities shaping business success in the Kingdom


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