Achievements under
Saudi Arabia's leadership

Capacity

Absher records 448M+ digital transactions

448,243,708 transactions processed — 417.37M individual and 30.87M business. Up from 430M+ the year before.

Recognition

Vision 2030 halfway mark — 93% indicators achieved or on track

Annual Vision 2030 report shows 93% of indicators achieved or on track at the midpoint of the 15-year transformation program.

Capacity

Tawakkalna expands Hajj support to 19 languages

1,300+ services and 350+ government entities now accessible to pilgrims through the platform in 19 languages.

Capacity

Hajj 2026 — 1.5M pilgrims with AI tech and full 5G coverage

Five ministries announce readiness: 1.5M pilgrims expected with AI technologies, full 5G coverage, and 52,000+ health practitioners on duty.

Capacity

Haramain HSR provides 2.21M+ seats for Hajj 2026

5,300+ trips planned for the Hajj season — the largest single-event rail capacity in the kingdom's history.

Opening

Mina Emergency Hospital 2 expands to 400 beds

18,000 sqm facility with 400 beds, 270+ ambulance units, and 570+ paramedics/specialists — strengthening Hajj emergency care.

Capacity

Hajj transport readiness — 33,000+ buses and 5,000 taxis

Transport General Authority announces fleet readiness for the 2026 Hajj season — among the largest organized passenger-transport deployments globally.

First

AI-powered multilingual robot deployed at Two Holy Mosques

First-of-kind interactive robot provides guidance, location information, and instant translation services to worshippers and pilgrims.

Reform

Vacant-property fee regulations approved

Regulations aimed at improving asset utilization and increasing housing supply — fee structure designed to push idle property into the market.

Capacity

Jazan mango production — 65,000+ tonnes/year

Jazan accounts for ~60% of Saudi mango output with 1M+ trees — regional agricultural strength under the strategic-imports food security model.

Recognition

Women reach at least 20% of Shoura Council members

Women's representation in the kingdom's consultative council reaches at least 20% — alongside women's tech-participation exceeding global averages.

First

Saudi Arabia activates its first quantum computer

Aramco and Pasqal formally inaugurate the kingdom's first quantum computer in Dhahran — a 200-qubit neutral-atom system — alongside the Middle East's first commercial Quantum Computing-as-a-Service platform. Use cases under deployment include port logistics, CO₂ storage, well placement, rig scheduling, and materials science.

Partnership

SARCO and Ally Hydrogen sign Jazan green ammonia MoU

Saudi Arabia Refineries Co. (SARCO) signs a non-binding memorandum of understanding with China's Ally Hydrogen Energy to establish a green ammonia plant at Jazan Industrial City, alongside a local hydrogen equipment hub and a joint R&D centre with Saudi universities. Part of the kingdom's stated path to 1.2 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030.

First

First Saudi professional T20 cricket league announced

Six-team Dunes T20 League scheduled for October 2026 — first professional cricket competition in the kingdom.

Reform

Saudi Arabia enters Kearney FDI Confidence Index global top 10

Kearney's 2026 FDI Confidence Index — a survey of senior executives at global firms — ranks Saudi Arabia 10th worldwide, up from 13th in 2025 and 24th in 2023. The report singles out the kingdom alongside Singapore as the year's standout 'middle powers' and ranks Saudi Arabia 3rd on the Emerging Markets Index for the third consecutive year.

Recognition

2029 Asian Winter Games awarded to Trojena

The 2029 Asian Winter Games will be held at Trojena in NEOM — the first ever Winter Games in West Asia and a category-defining moment for the Saudi sports build.

Recognition

Saudi Arabia ranks 6th globally in e-government

Up from 44th in 2017 on the UN E-Government Development Index — one of the largest single-decade jumps recorded by any country.

Capacity

Tourism GDP reaches ~$178B — largest in the region

Annual tourism economic contribution reaches ~$178B with 7.4% growth, making Saudi Arabia ~46% of the Middle East tourism economy.

Recognition

Saudi Arabia 2nd globally in data-center market attractiveness

60+ data centers, capacity at 467 MW in Q1 2026. Second only to the United States in market attractiveness — anchoring the AI/cloud infrastructure buildout.

Capacity

MODON attracts $8B in industrial-city investments

Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities draws SAR 30B ($8B) in 2025 — including SAR 12B foreign capital. Developed industrial land reaches 236M sqm.

Capacity

Mining licenses rise to 2,925; exploitation licenses up 220%

Valid mining licenses jump from 2,401, with exploitation licenses up 220%. Sector investment reaches SAR 189.4B / cumulative wealth est. $2.5T.

Recognition

Saudi startups attract record $1.72B VC across 257 deals

Per MAGNiTT regional data — a 145% YoY gain and the most deals in MENA. Saudi/UAE together make up 86% of regional corporate-backed VC.

Opening

Riyadh Metro Western Station opens

Completes the four iconic stations. 112,000 sqm site, 60,000+ rail passengers/hour, 1,300 bus passengers/hour, 600+ parking spaces.

Recognition

KAUST ranks top 50 globally in computer science

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology — top 50 globally in computer science and top 200 across most disciplines.

Recognition

Saudi Arabia 2nd globally at ISEF (third consecutive year)

24 awards at the 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair (12 grand, 12 special), among 1,700+ students from 70 countries. Third straight 2nd-place finish.

Recognition

Saudi unemployment hits 7.2% — 2030 target reached

Down from 12.3% in 2017 — the original Vision 2030 unemployment target is surpassed six years ahead of schedule. A new 5% target is set.

Recognition

Female participation reaches 36.3%

More than doubled from 17.4% in 2017 — the largest such shift in any G20 economy this decade. Approaching the revised 40% 2030 target.

First

Stitch secures a16z's first GCC investment

Saudi fintech raises $25M Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz — described as a16z's first GCC investment, signaling top-tier Silicon Valley validation.

Partnership

PIF becomes 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament supporter

Sovereign wealth fund becomes an official tournament supporter — partnership supports grassroots, youth and women's football, education and infrastructure.

Recognition

IKTVA reaches 70% local content target

Aramco's industrial localization program hits its 70% target — originally set for 2030. New 75% target announced.

Recognition

122 million tourist visits — record year

Annual visitor count surpasses the pre-COVID record and puts the kingdom on track for the original 150M-by-2030 target.

Recognition

Saudi Arabia scores 100/100 on ITU Global Cybersecurity Index

Joint world #1 ranking — alongside the world's top cybersecurity performers, anchoring the kingdom's digital trust posture.

First

"Norah" — first Saudi feature at Cannes Un Certain Regard

Tawfik Alzaidi's Norah is the first Saudi feature film selected for the Cannes Un Certain Regard section — the kingdom's most prominent international cinema milestone.

Opening

Sindalah opens at NEOM

NEOM's first operational destination — a luxury island resort with three hotels, a yacht marina, and beach clubs.

Recognition

2034 FIFA World Cup awarded to Saudi Arabia

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi bid scored 419.8 out of 500 in the FIFA Bid Evaluation Report — the highest technical score in FIFA history. The tournament will use 15 stadiums across five host cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM), with the new 92,000-capacity King Salman International Stadium hosting the opening match and final.

Opening

Riyadh Metro Phase 1 opens

6 lines, 85 stations, 176 km enter service in stages from December 2024 — the largest urban transit project under construction globally.

Capacity

Riyadh Season 2024-2025 reaches 13M visits

The half-year entertainment programming series sets a new attendance record — anchor event of the kingdom's entertainment buildout.

Opening

MBC headquarters relocates to Riyadh

The Arabic-speaking world's largest broadcaster relocates from Dubai to Riyadh — a signal of regional media-industry gravity shifting.

Partnership

Saudi-Iran diplomatic relations restored

Beijing-brokered restoration of diplomatic relations after seven years of severance — a major regional realignment.

Recognition

Expo 2030 awarded to Riyadh

BIE selects Riyadh over Busan and Rome to host the next World Expo. Adds to a roster of major international events including the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Opening

Savvy Games Group founded

PIF-owned gaming holding company established with a SAR 142B / $38B capital commitment — at the time the largest single national gaming allocation globally.

Opening

ESL FACEIT acquired by Savvy

$1.5B acquisition consolidates two of the world's largest esports tournament operators under Saudi ownership.

Recognition

Tabby and Tamara reach unicorn status

Two homegrown BNPL fintechs cross $1B in valuation — first Saudi-founded unicorns. Tamara at $1B+ in 2023, Tabby at $3.3B in 2024.

Opening

SAMAI million-Saudis AI training program launched

SDAIA-led upskilling initiative. Reaches ~1.1M Saudis by 2025 — roughly 10% of the labor force — with 35% female participation.

Reform

Regional HQ program announced

Multinationals are required to base their MENA HQs in the kingdom if they want major government contracts. Drives growth from 44 HQs in 2021 to 700+ by 2025.

Reform

Saudi Green Initiative launched

National climate program announced with a 10-billion-tree commitment, 50% renewable electricity by 2030, and a 2060 net-zero target.

Opening

Red Sea Film Festival launches

First edition in Jeddah, quickly becoming the most-attended Arab film festival. Anchors the kingdom's growing cinema industry.

Recognition

Saudi Arabia chairs the G20

Riyadh hosts the G20 presidency year, including the leaders' summit. The first Arab country and first Gulf state to chair the G20.

Capacity

Sehhaty and Tawakkalna scale nationally

Saudi Arabia's health and identity apps reach mass adoption during the pandemic. Sehhaty alone passed 12M users at peak and has stayed at scale since.

Opening

Madrasati national learning platform launched

Pandemic-driven rollout of the K-12 distance learning platform. Reaches 6M+ students and has remained operational as permanent education infrastructure.

Reform

Saudi tourist visa launched

For the first time, citizens of 49 countries can apply for tourist entry — opening the kingdom to non-religious international visitors.

Recognition

Aramco IPO completes

The world's largest IPO at the time. The government's ~5% Aramco stake transfers into PIF as cash, instantly recapitalizing the fund.

Opening

Quality of Life Program launched

Vision 2030 sub-program launched to develop sports, entertainment, tourism, and urban liveability options for citizens and residents.

Reform

Cinema ban lifted

First commercial movie theater opens in Riyadh since the early 1980s, beginning a buildout to 81 screens across 16 governorates by 2025.

Reform

Saudi women permitted to drive

Royal decree lifts the driving prohibition. The first licenses are issued the same day. Female labor-force participation begins its 17%→36% climb in subsequent years.

Reform

PIF mandate broadens

The Public Investment Fund is repositioned as the primary instrument for economic diversification, holding ~SAR 720B in assets at the start of the transformation.

Opening

SAMI and GAMI established

Saudi Arabian Military Industries (holding) and the General Authority for Military Industries (regulator) stand up to localize defense manufacturing.

Opening

NEOM unveiled

The $500B Red Sea megaproject is announced, anchoring the gigaproject pipeline for the Vision 2030 economy.

Reform

Vision 2030 announced

The 15-year transformation program is unveiled in April, setting structural targets for diversification, social development, and government effectiveness.