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
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
On driving innovation, partnerships and inclusive development
Analysis
Alternative energy demand in Saudi Arabia encourages shift from hydrocarbons
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
On digitalisation trends and the changing regulatory environment
Analysis
Saudi Arabia's AI data centres build innovation global powerhouse
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
On creating innovation sovereignty through architecture and intellectual property ownership
Overview
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification strategy prioritises foreign investment
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
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
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 ViewAbdullah 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
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
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
OBGplus
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
The Report: Qatar 2025
The Report: Oman 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 AssessmentReport: 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...
Featured Sectors in Saudi Arabia
Featured Reports in Saudi Arabia
Privacy Overview
| Cookie | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
| cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
| viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
