ALJ launches financing program for Careem Captains

Ahmad Arrabi, general manager of Careem Saudi Arabia, left, and Dr. Khalid D. Al-Karimy, CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel Finance.
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Updated 08 March 2023
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ALJ launches financing program for Careem Captains

Abdul Latif Jameel Finance and Careem, the region’s leading multi-service platform, have announced the launch of a financing program designed specifically to allow Saudi Careem Captains in the Kingdom to finance their own cars. Abdul Latif Jameel Finance is opening the door for the Captains to continue earning an income in a reliable manner, by providing a financing solution that allows them to obtain a new vehicle. 

The financing program illustrates Abdul Latif Jameel Finance’s commitment to providing innovative financing solutions to more members of the community. The program provides Careem Captains, many whose main source of income is through the ride-hailing app, with flexible payment plans and installments to obtain any new model from several brands including Toyota, Lexus, Kia, Hyundai, Geely, Suzuki and MG vehicles. 

This financing program is also in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals and initiatives to support employment rates and improve living standards in the Kingdom.

Dr. Khalid D. Al-Karimy, CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel Finance, said: “At Abdul Latif Jameel Finance, we continuously endeavor to find ways to support our community. We are aware of the various challenges facing self-employed Captains, which is why we have worked on developing this innovative program that will help them reap the full benefits from their work.”

Ahmad Arrabi, general manager of Careem Saudi Arabia, said: “We are excited to cooperate with Abdul Latif Jameel Finance to make it easier for Careem Captains to obtain new models of Toyota, Lexus, Kia, Hyundai, Geely, Suzuki and MG vehicles. This cooperation will enable more Saudi nationals to access flexible earnings through the Careem platform.” 

Careem offers Captains in Saudi Arabia 24-hour technical support, special discounts on car cleaning, and in-ride insurance coverage. Careem launched in Saudi Arabia in 2013, commencing operations in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dhahran and Alkhobar before expanding to reach 29 cities across the Kingdom. More than 194,000 Saudi Careem Captains use the app to earn a flexible income and over 75 percent of the Captains in the Kingdom own their cars. To date, Careem Captains have completed more than 250 million trips. In 2022, earnings for Captains in Saudi Arabia totaled over SR529 million ($141 million).


Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Updated 04 February 2026
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Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.

The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.

The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.

The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.

Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”

The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.

“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”

The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.

Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.