Saudi Arabia Adds 46,900 New Companies in H1 2026

Saudi Arabia's business sector added 46,900 new companies during the first half of 2026, in a sign of continued momentum in commercial activity across the Kingdom.

The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center delivered more than 2.9 million services to business establishments in the first half of the year. These included the establishment of the 46,900 companies, the registration of 86,800 establishments, and the verification of 3,500 online stores.

Quarterly figures showed the sector recorded more than 71,000 new commercial registrations in the first quarter and a similar figure in the second quarter. By the end of the second quarter, total active commercial registrations reached about 1.9 million records, comprising roughly 1.28 million sole establishments and about 638,000 companies.

Where Activity Is Concentrated

Limited liability companies made up the largest share of new registers issued in the second quarter, with around 23,300 new LLC registrations. Other legal forms included joint stock companies, simplified joint-stock companies, general partnerships, and limited partnerships. Regionally, الرياض led in active commercial registrations, followed by Makkah and the Eastern Province.

On the municipal side, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing issued and renewed more than 274,000 commercial (municipal) licenses in the first half of the year through the Balady platform, including 97,000 new licenses and 177,000 renewals.

The steady rise in registrations reflects the growing ease of doing business through digital government platforms, offering residents and expat entrepreneurs faster ways to launch and operate ventures. Detailed fee schedules, procedures, and validity periods are available through the relevant official electronic portals.

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