Saudi FDI Tops SAR 119bn as Tech Leads Growth

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Saudi Arabia reached roughly SAR 119 billion, surpassing the National Investment Strategy annual target of SAR 109 billion, with double-digit year-on-year growth recorded through 2024–2025. The figures underline the Kingdom's push to attract global capital under رؤية السعودية 2030.

The National Investment Strategy targets FDI inflows equivalent to 5.7% of GDP by 2030, aiming to lift annual FDI to about USD 103 billion and domestic investment to roughly USD 450 billion.

Where the money is flowing

Manufacturing captured the largest share of sectoral FDI with strong growth, alongside mining and metals, which saw rapid gains. Financial services, tourism and hospitality, and non-oil energy all posted double-digit growth. In 2025, technology and digital services became the single largest FDI sector, accounting for about 21–22% of total FDI, with more than 80 projects and average project sizes above USD 100 million.

Priority areas under the strategy span advanced industry (automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, building materials, food processing), tourism and mixed-use giga-projects, digital infrastructure such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity and fintech, healthcare and biotechnology, minerals including gold, phosphates, bauxite and rare earths, renewable and green energy, and transport and logistics.

As of early 2026, additional service sectors were opened to foreign investment, including recruitment and employment services, widening the scope for international investors.

For residents and expats, the trend signals continued job creation, new businesses and expanding services across the Kingdom, particularly in الرياض and جدة, where many of these projects and their supply chains are concentrated.

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