Saudi Factories Reach 13,660 as Zones Fill Up

Saudi Arabia's industrial base has expanded to 13,660 factories nationwide as of the end of April 2026, up from 12,289 factories a year earlier, reflecting steady growth across the Kingdom's manufacturing sector.

In April 2026 alone, 322 new industrial licenses were issued, carrying more than SAR 12.33 billion in planned investments and expected to create 2,977 jobs. During the same month, 188 factories entered actual production, backed by around SAR 2.01 billion in investment and generating 3,606 new jobs.

The figures build on strong momentum from 2025, which closed with 12,946 factories, including 10,394 in production and 2,552 under construction. Factories that commenced operations during 2025 brought roughly SAR 31 billion in capital investment, while total investment in new factories reached SAR 76.1 billion.

Why it matters for the community

Demand for industrial and logistics space is now outpacing supply in the Kingdom's main hubs. In the second quarter of 2026, occupancy across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Dammam Metropolitan Area exceeded 90 percent, supported by lease renewals and continued absorption of available space. This has driven rental growth and rising pre-leasing activity for Grade A industrial and logistics facilities.

The expansion aligns with long-term goals under رؤية السعودية 2030, which has already seen the number of industrial facilities grow by about 60 percent between 2016 and 2023, from 7,206 to 11,549 facilities. For residents and business owners, the growth signals more job openings, wider local manufacturing options and stronger supply chains.

Industrial licensing and factory registration are handled through the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and its National Center for Industrial and Mining Information. New projects typically apply online, submitting details on activity, location, planned investment, ownership and environmental and safety compliance before securing the required approvals.

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