Fahad Al-Saif Named Saudi Minister of Investment
Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif has been appointed Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by royal decree issued on 12 February 2026, succeeding Khalid Al-Falih in the role.
The Ministry of Investment (وزارة الاستثمار) remains the central government entity responsible for promoting and licensing foreign and domestic investments across the Kingdom, and for coordinating investment-related policy and reforms that support رؤية السعودية 2030. No change has been announced to the ministry's legal status, name, or core mandate following the appointment.
The appointment comes during a period of significant regulatory activity aimed at opening the Saudi market. On 1 February 2026, the Capital Market Authority removed the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) requirement, allowing unrestricted foreign participation in the Saudi stock exchange for all eligible foreign investors under capital market regulations. Separately, new foreign property ownership legislation took effect in January 2026, permitting individual foreigners to own real estate in the Kingdom under specified conditions.
These measures align with the ministry's ambitious foreign direct investment goals, which target USD 46 billion in FDI inflows by the end of 2026 and USD 58 billion in 2027.
For residents, investors, and business owners in الرياض, جدة, and beyond, the leadership change signals continuity in the Kingdom's investment agenda. Standard investment licensing continues to be handled through the ministry's own electronic portals and investor services. No new user-pay digital processes or service fees have been introduced as a direct result of the appointment.
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