Blacklane, Lucid partner to boost sustainable mobility in Kingdom

Through this collaboration, Lucid’s vehicle lineup will be integrated into Blacklane’s chauffeur service platform across the Kingdom.
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Updated 10 June 2025
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Blacklane, Lucid partner to boost sustainable mobility in Kingdom

Blacklane, a global chauffeur service, and Lucid Group, maker of advanced electric vehicles, have announced a strategic partnership to expand sustainable, premium transportation solutions across Saudi Arabia.

Through this collaboration, Lucid’s vehicle lineup will be integrated into Blacklane’s chauffeur service platform across the Kingdom. The partnership will support Blacklane on its trajectory to double operations in the region by the end of 2025, including significantly expanding services in key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.

The agreement represents Blacklane’s most ambitious initiative to date, aimed at expanding a robust network of electric vehicle options within the region’s mobility sector, and furthers Lucid’s ongoing efforts to provide more opportunities to experience its advanced electric vehicles in the region. To further support this effort, Lucid and Blacklane will also work together to support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure in the region.

“Our relationship with Lucid marks a significant step forward in our global mission to deliver high-end, sustainable and scalable mobility solutions and a key milestone to further electrifying the Kingdom,” said Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane. “Together we are investing to set new industry standards and are proud to be part of a thriving and innovative business culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, fostered by Vision 2030.”

“Partnering with Blacklane reflects our strong commitment to pioneering the future of mobility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Faisal Sultan, president, Middle East at Lucid. “Through this partnership, Blacklane guests will now have access to the Lucid lineup, including the award-winning Lucid Air sedan and the new Lucid Gravity SUV, offering superior range, elevated comfort, and extensive room for guests and all their luggage.”

The Lucid Air sedan will be available to Blacklane guests immediately. The Lucid Gravity SUV will be added later this year as the rollout of the new SUV intensifies.


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.