RIYADH: As the year 2025 draws to a close, Saudi Arabia’s calendar of mega investment events offers a snapshot of how the Kingdom is translating its Vision 2030 ambitions into deal flow, sectoral momentum and capital commitments across the economy.
From technology and advanced manufacturing to real estate, tourism and small-business development, the country used a series of high-profile global forums this year to convene investors, policymakers and corporate leaders, anchoring Saudi Arabia more firmly in the international investment circuit.
Across sectors ranging from property and hospitality to artificial intelligence and private-sector partnerships, events hosted throughout the year generated tens of billions of dollars in deal announcements and investment pledges, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s ambition to position itself as a regional hub for business, technology and global capital.
Below are some of the key events hosted by the Kingdom in 2025 that reinforced its growing stature in the global business landscape.
Biban Forum
One of the major events that concluded last month was the Biban Forum, held in November to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s small and medium-sized enterprise ecosystem.
The forum attracted more than 100,000 visitors and resulted in agreements exceeding $10 billion.
Held under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities,” the event drew significant international participation, including nearly 50 startups from South Korea.
Agreements were signed with organizations from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, India, Sweden, and France, supporting cross-border cooperation and investment.
TOURISE Summit
The event generated $113 billion in investment commitments to support global tourism development, accelerate sector transformation, and promote sustainable growth. SPA
In November, Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural TOURISE Summit, aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s tourism ecosystem.
The event generated $113 billion in investment commitments to support global tourism development, accelerate sector transformation, and promote sustainable growth.
Companies announcing investment portfolios included Melia Hotels, BWH Hotels, GOCO Hospitality, Cenomi, Radisson, Earth Hotels, Delonix, and Ocean Link.
The summit aligns with Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting more than 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
Cityscape Global
Several agreements were signed, including a deal between National Housing Co. and Elm Co. to develop integrated digital and smart solutions across urban destinations. Supplied
Saudi Arabia hosted Cityscape Global last month under the theme “The Future of Urban Living,” with real estate agreements exceeding SR161.2 billion ($42.3 billion), reflecting continued expansion in the Kingdom’s property sector.
Developing a robust real estate ecosystem is a key pillar of Vision 2030. The Real Estate General Authority projects the market will reach $101.62 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 8 percent from 2024.
Speaking at the event, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail said that the Kingdom has elevated its position as a global model in urban development and cemented the journey of national transformation, in line with the Vision 2030 program.
Several agreements were signed, including a deal between National Housing Co. and Elm Co. to develop integrated digital and smart solutions across urban destinations.
NHC also signed a development agreement worth SR899 million for the “Dar Makkah” project at the “Gate to Makkah” destination, which will include more than 930 villas across a 236,000-sq.-meter site located about 20 minutes from the Grand Mosque.
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing signed memorandums of cooperation with Jahez International Co. for Information Systems Technology and the General Authority of Awqaf to boost youth participation in the labor market and support the non-profit sector.
Future Investment Initiative
The event recorded more than $50 billion in signed agreements and investment pledges across sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced technology, renewable energy and infrastructure. Supplied
In October, Riyadh hosted the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative, bringing together global investors, policymakers and corporate leaders.
The event recorded more than $50 billion in signed agreements and investment pledges across sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced technology, renewable energy and infrastructure.
Since its launch in 2017, the Future Investment Initiative has facilitated more than $250 billion in cumulative deals, positioning the platform as a barometer of investor sentiment toward the Kingdom and the wider Middle East.
During the event, the FII Institute announced a long-term strategic partnership with Expo 2030, aimed at advancing initiatives focused on sustainable development, innovation and global economic cooperation. Organizers said the agreement reflects a broader shift toward aligning investment flows with long-term economic and social impact.
Future Hospitality Summit
Notable announcements included a partnership between BWH Hotels, Optimal Real Estate, and Rsoukh Trading Co. to develop five new properties across Jeddah and Madinah. Supplied
As Saudi Arabia continues to position itself as a global tourism destination, the Kingdom hosted the Future Hospitality Summit in May, which generated $1.61 billion in business opportunities and deal volumes.
With 1,106 participants from 37 countries, the summit examined innovative investment models, addressed talent development needs, and reinforced partnerships aligned with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify the economy and position Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for business, culture, and religious tourism.
Notable announcements included a partnership between BWH Hotels, Optimal Real Estate, and Rsoukh Trading Co. to develop five new properties across Jeddah and Madinah.
Amsa Hospitality also unveiled a new four-star hotel project in Qassim in collaboration with Alkayan Alarabi, to be located within Al-Kayan Avenue mall on Al-Imam Al-Bukhari Road.
During the event, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Ashaad Co. signed an agreement to develop three new hotels in Jeddah and Alkhobar.
PIF Private Sector Forum
The forum saw the signing of 140 agreements valued at up to SR14 billion ($3.73 billion), with participation from more than 100 PIF-backed companies. Supplied
Another major event in 2025 was the PIF Private Sector Forum, held in February and organized by the Public Investment Fund.
The forum saw the signing of 140 agreements valued at up to SR14 billion ($3.73 billion), with participation from more than 100 PIF-backed companies.
Abdullah Alhussaini, head of strategy and planning for national development at PIF, said at the time that most agreements were signed between PIF subsidiaries and private sector firms.
Over the two-day forum, participants engaged in a series of panels and workshops, exploring how to empower and enhance the role of the private sector in the Kingdom. This was part of PIF’s strategy to increase the contribution of the local private sector to PIF projects and portfolio companies to 60 percent.
According to PIF’s website, the Private Sector Hub now includes more than 2,000 registered investors and showcases over 200 opportunities valued at more than SR40 billion.
LEAP 2025
Major agreements involved asset managers overseeing portfolios worth a combined $22 trillion. Supplied
The year’s investment calendar began in February as the Kingdom hosted LEAP 2025, the region’s flagship technology event, which recorded investment deals exceeding $14.9 billion across sectors including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
Organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf Co., the event drew more than 200,000 attendees, featured participation from 1,800 local and international entities, hosted over 1,000 global speakers, and showcased 680 startups.
Major agreements involved asset managers overseeing portfolios worth a combined $22 trillion.
One of the largest deals announced was a $1.5 billion partnership between Groq and Aramco Digital to expand AI-powered cloud computing capabilities.
Another major agreement involved a $2 billion investment between Saudi-based Alat and China’s Lenovo to establish an advanced manufacturing and technology hub focused on AI and robotics.
Following the deal, Alat CEO Amit Midha said in October that the company is preparing to begin manufacturing personal computers and servers at its new facility in Riyadh. The factory is expected to play a key role in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to localize high-tech manufacturing.
Saudi Arabia’s investment events in 2025 show a shift from announcing ambitions to delivering projects across key sectors.
As the Kingdom moves into the final phase of Vision 2030, investors will be watching whether this momentum translates into sustained execution beyond headline deal values.
