Saudi Fund for Development finances $18.4bn worth of projects in developing countries

Held on Sept. 7, the meeting witnessed wide participation of fund officials, members of the National Committee for Local Content & Procurement, and national companies. (Supplied)
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Updated 08 September 2022
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Saudi Fund for Development finances $18.4bn worth of projects in developing countries

RIYADH: The Saudi government, represented by the Saudi Fund for Development, has contributed over SR69.1 billion ($18.4 billion) to financing projects for developing countries since the fund’s inception.

SFD financed 697 projects and development programs since it was established in 1975, reported the Arabic newspaper Aleqtisadiah.

The Federation of Saudi Chambers joined hands with the development fund to promote the use of local resources in the procurement of projects and capitalize on ways to maximize benefits to the Kingdom’s business sector.

In a joint statement, both parties agreed on an action plan to encourage the participation of Saudi companies and exporters and provide more access to investment opportunities.

For exporters, the move aims to empower local capabilities by enabling them to export their products and services to foreign markets.

Held on Sept. 7, the meeting witnessed wide participation of fund officials, members of the National Committee for Local Content & Procurement, and national companies.

Director of the Saudi Export Program at SFD, Abdulmohsen Al Khayal, explained that among the Kingdom’s vision 2030 main goals is the development of local content.

He added that this requires integrated work between a number of government agencies and partners from the private sector.

There are already laws in place to motivate the use of local content and the SFD is currently at a stage of ensuring the implementation of those regulations, according to Ayman Al-Hazmi, president of the local content committee.

Most recently, SFD launched a $30 million initiative to improve healthcare and education facilities in Kyrgyzstan.

The fund will finance the project to rehabilitate and expand the General Children’s Emergency Hospital in the capital, Bishkek, as part of a $30 million soft development loan.

The project will help develop the health sector in Kyrgyzstan and improve pediatric services. It will include building and equipping a five-story surgical building designed to hold 212 beds.

Funding for the project includes providing medical and non-medical equipment, furniture for the surgery building, advisory services, and supervising implementation.

Among its other projects announced last month was a $47 million funding for a project in Senegal.

The project involves the rehabilitation and asphalting of a 62-km Oréfondé-Nguidjilone road, to be carried out in accordance with the standards approved by the West African Economic and Monetary Union.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.