RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of the Social Infrastructure Financing Program, a strategic initiative to boost private sector investment in the Kingdom’s healthcare and education sectors.
The program was unveiled on Dec. 9 under the patronage of Minister of Economy and Planning and National Infrastructure Fund Board Chairman Faisal Alibrahim during the three-day Momentum 2025 conference, organized by the National Development Fund.
SIFP is a strategic initiative designed to catalyze private-sector investment in the Kingdom’s healthcare and education sectors.
The program supports the realization of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, increasing private sector contribution to gross domestic product from 40 percent to 65 percent, while directly supporting sectoral ambitions to raise private sector participation in healthcare to 32 percent, and student enrollment in private schools to 25 percent by 2030.
Developed in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission, the program enables the private sector to expand its role in priority sectors while enhancing the quality, accessibility, and diversity of services provided.
The program introduces two innovative financing solutions in the form of Co-Financing and Credit Guarantees, with tenures of up to 15 years, to be deployed in partnership with leading local banks, including Arab National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, and Banque Saudi Fransi, as well as Riyad Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank, and Saudi National Bank.
The program targets private sector projects with a minimum cost of SR30 million ($8.1 million).
Esmail Al-Sallom, CEO of Infra, said that the program advances the Kingdom’s ambitions for stronger private-sector participation.
“Through SIFP, we aim to support elevating the quality of healthcare and education services, diversify offerings in line with national priorities, and empower banks to expand their lending to high-impact social infrastructure,” he said.
SIFP supports a broad spectrum of social infrastructure projects, including general and specialty hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation centers, and educational institutions from early childhood to higher education, including facilities for students with special needs.
As part of Infra’s developmental role and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and their respective ecosystems, the program offers additional coverage of up to 20 percent for beneficiaries who meet strategic target criteria.
It also provides performance-linked incentives based on project quality, outcomes, and services delivered.
