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This article also features in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

Saudi Arabia Economic Research Highlights

Report: Exploring how privatisation and PPPs are driving infrastructure delivery in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework is advancing as a key enabler of Vision 2030’s economic diversification agenda. Supported by the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP (NCP)...

Report: Trade shifts and value creation across the Red Sea Corridor

Global trade realignment is reshaping logistics flows across the Red Sea Corridor, Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, India and South-east Asia. This Impact Report examines how new trade routes, infrastructure...

Saudi Arabia expands privatisation and partnership-driven transformation under Vision 2030

Oxford Business Group has released a new Impact Report in partnership with the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP (NCP), detailing how Saudi Arabia is leveraging privatisation and public-private partnerships...

Unlocking Saudi Arabia's human capital potential

In this Growth Perspectives video, OBG highlights the growing importance of human capital in achieving Saudi Arabia’s objective of a more diversified economy. As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030...

Saudi Arabia Economic Spotlight

Overview

Private sector expansion shapes Saudi Arabia's future growth
OBG
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Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase of its Vision 2030 agenda, with greater emphasis on consolidating and maximising the impact of economic reforms introduced over the past decade. Since the launch...

Interview

Stephen Groff, Governor, National Development Fund
OBG
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On driving innovation, partnerships and inclusive development

Analysis

Alternative energy demand in Saudi Arabia encourages shift from hydrocarbons
OBG
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The energy transition advanced in 2023 despite geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures that maintained elevated energy prices globally. Prices fell from 2022’s historic peaks...

Interview

Ayman Al Sayari, Governor, Saudi Central Bank
OBG
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On digitalisation trends and the changing regulatory environment

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's AI data centres build innovation global powerhouse
OBG
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The year 2025 was pivotal for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to establish itself not only as a regional but as an international centre for artificial intelligence (AI) and computational power. The Kingdom plans to...

Interview

Tareq Amin, CEO, HUMAIN
OBG
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On creating innovation sovereignty through architecture and intellectual property ownership

Overview

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification strategy prioritises foreign investment
OBG
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Saudi Arabia occupies a central position in the Middle East, shaped by its role as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites and one of the world’s largest holders of proven oil reserves. The Kingdom’s modern state...

Private sector expansion shapes Saudi Arabia's future growth
Stephen Groff, Governor, National Development Fund
Alternative energy demand in Saudi Arabia encourages shift from hydrocarbons
Ayman Al Sayari, Governor, Saudi Central Bank
Saudi Arabia's AI data centres build innovation global powerhouse
Tareq Amin, CEO, HUMAIN
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification strategy prioritises foreign investment
 

Reshaping maritime trade and logistics across the Red Sea Corridor and beyond

In this Market Profile video, Oxford Business Group, in partnership with Folk Maritime, introduces a new Impact Report examining how global trade realignment is reshaping maritime logistics and connectivity...

Emerging opportunities under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

With ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, understanding Saudi Arabia’s economic direction remains essential. The latest edition of The Report: Saudi Arabia provides a comprehensive...

Special Reports on Saudi Arabia & the Middle East

Impact Report

Report: Saudi Arabia’s fintech evolution – digital payments, inclusion and Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy places digital transformation at the centre of economic diversification. Financial technology (fintech) solutions, particularly digital payments, are helping to expand...

Special Report

Report: How Saudi Arabia’s private sector is driving health care transformation

Saudi Arabia’s health care sector is undergoing a structural transformation driven by Vision 2030’s reform agenda. With health expenditure rising and demand for advanced services growing...

Market Outlook Report

Saudi Arabia Cultural Market Outlook: Vision, Impact and Opportunities 2025

The cultural and creative economy generates 3.1% of global GDP and supports over 30m jobs. Its scope spans film, music, fashion, heritage and museums, with multiplier effects across supply chains and...

Special Report

Report: Navigating Al Madinah's socio-economic transformation

This report explores socio-economic transformation in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia, highlighting the region’s strategic emphasis on community satisfaction, economic diversification and urban...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: Sustainable finance and ESG adoption advancing across Kuwait and the GCC

Kuwait is strengthening its role in the GCC’s transition towards sustainable finance and low-carbon economic growth, in line with Kuwait Vision 2035 and regional environmental, social and governance (ESG)...

Focus Report

Report: How is Sharjah building a sustainable ecosystem for talent, entrepreneurship and innovation?

Sharjah has engineered a transformation into a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region. The emirate’s success is powered by a uniquely integrated ecosystem that seamlessly...

Special Report

Report: How is Saudi Arabia boosting economic diversification through MSME empowerment?

The empowerment of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Saudi Arabia is key to driving economic diversification and resilience. The Kingdom has laid out strategic foundations to support...

Focus Report

Report: How can the private sector capitalise on opportunities in the Saudi leisure industry?

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of sweeping social transformation and economic diversification underpinned by Vision 2030. This is creating a fertile environment for private businesses to expand...

Report: Saudi Arabia’s fintech evolution – digital payments, inclusion and Vision 2030
Report: How Saudi Arabia’s private sector is driving health care transformation
Saudi Arabia Cultural Market Outlook: Vision, Impact and Opportunities 2025
Report: Navigating Al Madinah's socio-economic transformation
Report: Sustainable finance and ESG adoption advancing across Kuwait and the GCC
Report: How is Sharjah building a sustainable ecosystem for talent, entrepreneurship and innovation?
Report: How is Saudi Arabia boosting economic diversification through MSME empowerment?
Report: How can the private sector capitalise on opportunities in the Saudi leisure industry?
 

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2025

The near- to medium-term outlook for Saudi Arabia is broadly positive, with growth expected to accelerate as oil output rises in 2026 and non-oil activity continues to expand. While oil continues to play a central...

Report: Evaluating sector trends and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s media landscape

Saudi Arabia’s media sector is entering a period of sustained expansion, supported by regulation, rising consumer demand and targeted investment. This report, produced in partnership with Gmedia...

Saudi Arabia: Economic Research & Views

Economic View

Abdullah Mohammed Alzamil, Chairman, Folk Maritime
OBG
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On supporting regional resilience amid disruption

Economic View

Mike Sneesby, CEO, MBC Group

On KSA’s young demographic, regulation and value chain expansion fuel media growth

Economic View

Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary, Minister of Media, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gmedia

On advancing Saudi Arabia’s media ecosystem under Vision 2030

Economic View

Homam Hashem, CEO, Financing Guarantee Program for SMEs (Kafalah)

On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Economic View

Azfar Shakeel, CEO, Lumi Rental

On how green solutions and regulatory reforms are shaping transport options in the Kingdom

Economic View

Abdullah Al Habib, CEO, Mohammad Al Habib Real Estate Company

On developments in sustainability and efforts to boost home ownership

Economic View

David Grover, Group CEO, ROSHN

On the trends shaping the Kingdom’s real estate market

Economic View

Wajdy Al Ghabban, CEO, Catrion

On developments in Saudi Arabia’s catering industry

Abdullah Mohammed Alzamil, Chairman, Folk Maritime
Mike Sneesby, CEO, MBC Group
Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary, Minister of Media, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gmedia
Homam Hashem, CEO, Financing Guarantee Program for SMEs (Kafalah)
Azfar Shakeel, CEO, Lumi Rental
Abdullah Al Habib, CEO, Mohammad Al Habib Real Estate Company
David Grover, Group CEO, ROSHN
Wajdy Al Ghabban, CEO, Catrion
 

Saudi Arabia Economic News & Views

Economic View

Abdullah Mohammed Alzamil, Chairman, Folk Maritime

On supporting regional resilience amid disruption


Economic View

Mike Sneesby, CEO, MBC Group

KSA’s young demographic, regulation and value chain expansion fuel media growth


Economic View

Salman bin Yousef Al-Dossary, Minister of Media, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Gmedia

On advancing Saudi Arabia’s media ecosystem under Vision 2030


Economic Update

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline: The case for long-term energy infrastructure investment

Saudi Arabia began construction on the East-West crude oil pipeline in the early 1980s, after tanker navigation in the Gulf was threatened during the Iran-Iraq War. Four decades of quiet investment followed in a piece of infrastructure that, until recently, much of the world had little reason to take notice of. The 1200-km pipeline, known as the Petroline, runs the breadth of the Arabian Peninsula from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, and has a capacity of around 5m barrels per day (bpd) and up to 7m bpd on a temporary basis. With maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz now severely curtailed, that investment has come into focus as a means of maintaining the global oil supply.


Economic View

Homam Hashem, CEO, Financing Guarantee Program for SMEs (Kafalah)

On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Economic View

Azfar Shakeel, CEO, Lumi Rental

On how green solutions and regulatory reforms are shaping transport options in the Kingdom


Economic View

Abdullah Al Habib, CEO, Mohammad Al Habib Real Estate Company

On developments in sustainability and efforts to boost home ownership


Economic View

David Grover, Group CEO, ROSHN

On the trends shaping the Kingdom’s real estate market


The Report & Key Interviews in the Middle East

Global Platform Video

Qatar’s evolving automotive and mobility sector

In this Global Platform video, Mohamed Jaidah, Group Executive Director, Jaidah Group, discusses the progress made within Qatar's automotive and mobility sector. The country has undergone a significant...

Global Platform Video

How innovation is strengthening water resilience in Qatar

In this Global Platform video, Rhana Kurdi, CEO, Skydrops, explores water security in Qatar and the wider GCC – examining the region’s heavy reliance on desalination and the structural vulnerabilities...

Country Report

The Report: Kuwait 2025
OBG
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Kuwait is advancing reforms under New Kuwait 2035 to diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons. Governance changes, infrastructure investment and financial sector reforms are supporting private...

Country Report

The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024
OBG
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Saudi Arabia’s economy is diversifying under Vision 2030, with strong growth in the digital economy and government-led giga-projects. While oil activity slowed in 2023, tourism income surged 38%...

Country Report

The Report: Qatar 2025
OBG
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Qatar is channeling its hydrocarbons wealth into long-term economic transformation, with diversification accelerating after the FIFA 2022 World Cup. In 2024 non-oil sectors accounted for over 60% of GDP...

Country Report

The Report: Oman 2025
OBG
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Oman is diversifying its economy, reducing reliance on hydrocarbons by expanding sectors like agriculture, fisheries, banking and manufacturing. Strategic reforms, infrastructure investment...

Country Report

The Report: Ajman 2025
OBG
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Ajman is accelerating economic diversification through industrial growth, tourism and innovation-driven development. The emirate’s forward-looking policies, including Ajman Vision 2030, focus on...

Global Platform

Oman Vision 2040 shaping the future of tourism and sustainability

In this Global platform video, Salim M. AlMahruqi, Oman's Minister of Heritage and Tourism, and Azzan AlBusaidi, Oman's Undersecretary of Tourism, talk about Oman Vision 2040 as a strategic plan aimed...

Qatar’s evolving automotive and mobility sector
How innovation is strengthening water resilience in Qatar
The Report: Kuwait 2025
The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024 - tabletop
The Report: Saudi Arabia 2024
The Report: Qatar 2025
The Report: Oman 2025
The Report: Ajman 2025
The Report: Ajman 2025
Oman Vision 2040 shaping the future of tourism and sustainability
 

Report: Saudi Arabia’s MSEs and freelancers are driving employment and economic diversification

Micro-sized and small enterprises (MSEs) and freelancers are expanding rapidly in Saudi Arabia, contributing to employment generation, economic diversification and the Kingdom’s competitiveness...

ESG Intelligence Reports: KSA & the Middle East

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: Social and governance considerations in the automotive industry

The rise of connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicle megatrends in the automotive industry are bringing social and governance considerations to the fore of ESG strategic thinking...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: What factors are driving social development in Saudi Arabia?

Vision 2030 includes social development initiatives to empower micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and citizens, promote entrepreneurship and widen access to financing...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: How can Saudi Arabia finance sustainable industrial development?

Guided by the Vision 2030 strategy for diversification, rapid advancements are being made in Saudi industry, mining, logistics and renewable energy.

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: Can heavy industry support Saudi Arabia’s sustainability ambitions?

COP26 has focused the world’s attention on the need for a more sustainable economic model that ensures profits and growth are not achieved at the expense of ecological health and social well-being...

ESG Intelligence Report

ESG Report: How can the benefits of the digital economy be extended to all segments of Saudi society?

Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision for economic advancement and diversification is underpinned by commitments that are aligned with ESG principles, with a focus on easing dependence on fossil...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The road to a zero-emission automotive industry in the Middle East and Africa

Automotive stakeholders are increasingly aware that the business-as-usual scenario that has sustained the industry for more than 100 years is no longer tenable. Regulatory changes and emissions-reduction...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector

The regulatory landscape for Gulf financial service providers is changing, with growing awareness of the need for banking institutions to adopt sustainable finance frameworks and responsible lending...

ESG Intelligence Report

Report: How Qatar is confronting environmental and social challenges

With the publication of its National Environment and Climate Change Strategy in 2021, Qatar has recognised that a proactive and holistic approach is needed to meet the challenge of global warming and...

Report: Social and governance considerations in the automotive industry
Report: What factors are driving social development in Saudi Arabia?
Report: How can Saudi Arabia finance sustainable industrial development?
Report: Can heavy industry support Saudi Arabia’s sustainability ambitions?
ESG Report: How can the benefits of the digital economy be extended to all segments of Saudi society?
Report: The road to a zero-emission automotive industry in the Middle East and Africa
Report: The future of sustainable finance in Kuwait’s banking sector
Report: How Qatar is confronting environmental and social challenges
 

Education: Shaping Saudi Arabia's Future

Economic Impact Assessment

Report: Will e-learning transform tertiary education in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s tertiary education system is underpinned by a strong network of 28 public universities accounting for 81% of student enrolment. However, the ongoing process of economic diversification is contributing to a rise in admission to vocational training institutes and private universities – helping to raise standards across the board and ensure programmes are attuned to market needs. As new economic growth engines emerge, skills development will increasingly be viewed as a lifelong pursuit that is not limited...


Economic News

How has the pandemic changed university course offerings in the Gulf?

With the current semester winding up, many higher education institutions in the Gulf are already planning an expanded offering of courses for the next academic year – with a focus on supporting the needs of the region’s post-pandemic economy. As OBG detailed earlier this year, the economic fallout of Covid-19 has encouraged higher education institutions in the Gulf to adapt their course offerings to help drive their respective countries’ economic recoveries. The coronavirus pandemic both highlighted and heightened the importance...


Economic News

Can higher education institutions shape the Gulf’s post-Covid-19 economy?

As Gulf countries look to rebound from the disruption of 2020, higher education institutions are playing a key role in meeting the needs of the region’s post-coronavirus economy. Universities, schools and technical colleges were among the first institutions to innovate following the outbreak of the virus. While many were initially obliged to close, educational institutions quickly adapted to the new situation by making learning materials available online, thus enabling students to continue their studies remotely...