Economy & Business
Business news, economic analysis, fintech innovations, startup ecosystems, and market trends shaping Saudi Arabia's digital economy and Vision 2030.

Saudi Investment Minister at Davos: “We Are Not Starting from Scratch in AI”
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih refutes “starting from scratch” claims at Davos 2026, highlighting Vision 2030’s AI progress and the Kingdom’s tech-savvy youth.

Saudi Arabia Leads Global Push to Protect Coral Reefs at WEF 2026
Saudi Arabia announced it will host the first Global Coral Reef Summit in 2026, bringing together global leaders and scientists to protect marine ecosystems. The Kingdom also unveiled major AI infrastructure investments and advanced manufacturing initiatives at the World Economic Forum.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision for AI: Leading the Intelligence Age for Global Prosperity
Discover how Saudi Arabia is transitioning from AI adoption to global leadership. Highlights from the WEF session featuring HE Alswaha and tech CEOs from Cisco and Qualcomm.

Aleria, Tawasal, and Xange.com Launch Joint Venture for Paris Agreement Carbon Market Infrastructure
Aleria, Tawasal, and Xange.com announce a joint venture to build Paris Agreement carbon credits infrastructure supporting over $100 billion in mitigation outcomes. The partnership provides governments with digital tools and market infrastructure for Article 6 compliance.

Knauf Acquires Majority Stake in Saudi Mining Company
Knauf announces its acquisition of a majority 63.2% stake in United Mining Industries, a leading Saudi Arabian building materials manufacturer. The move strengthens Knauf’s regional presence and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.

KONE Recognized as Top Employer 2026 in Saudi Arabia
KONE has been recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Saudi Arabia by Top Employers Institute, reflecting its commitment to people strategy and employee development. The certification highlights KONE’s structured approach to talent acquisition, learning, diversity, and workplace wellbeing in one of the region’s fastest-growing markets.

X by Unifonic Leads $7M AI Startup Funding Round with Y Combinator
X by Unifonic co-leads a $7 million funding round for Open CX with Y Combinator, marking a significant milestone in AI startup funding across the MENA region. The investment supports the platform’s expansion and reflects growing enterprise adoption of AI-driven customer experience solutions.

Remat Al Riyadh Signs Outdoor Advertising Contracts in Capital
Remat Al Riyadh Development Company has signed two outdoor advertising contracts with Naif Alrajhi Investment Group to transform white lands and buildings under construction into active urban elements. The partnership aims to enhance Riyadh’s urban landscape while supporting Vision 2030 goals.

Canon Earns CDP Climate A List 2025 Recognition for Environmental Leadership
Canon has been recognized on the CDP Climate A List 2025 for the fourth time, earning distinction for its leadership in climate action and environmental transparency. The company is working toward complete carbon neutrality by 2050 with science-based emission reduction targets.

Madkhol Capital Robo-Advisory Platform Welcomes Albilad Funds
Madkhol Capital announces strategic partnerships including the first-ever integration of Albilad Capital investment funds on a robo-advisory platform in Saudi Arabia. The company also partners with Khibrah to expand its corporate savings program Ratbi+.
Most read in Economy & Business
- Saudi Businesses Expand Investment in Agentic AI for Enterprise Operations
- Bupa Arabia Concludes Bupa Padel 2026 Tournament in Riyadh
- iSolution Earns Great Place to Work Certification in Saudi Arabia and UAE
- Fortinet and Aramco Sign Agreement to Expand Industrial Cybersecurity in Saudi Arabia
- ELSEWEDY ELECTRIC PSP and Sinohydro Sign $2.2B Rabigh 2 IPP Expansion Contract

Huasun Energy HJT Solar Technology Takes Center Stage at WFES 2026
Huasun Energy showcased its advanced HJT solar technology and launched an innovative All-In-One energy storage system at WFES 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The company also signed strategic partnerships with Waltz Solutions and Optimum Tracker, strengthening its global clean energy presence.

King Saud University Launches Tamkeen X Forum for Partnerships
King Saud University launches the first Tamkeen X Forum from January 19-21, 2026, featuring over 80 experts and 20 participating entities. The forum aims to enhance training, development, and partnerships in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030’s human capital development goals.

Saudi Digital Government Authority Launches Digital Excellence Program
Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority launches the Digital Excellence Program to elevate government entities’ digital maturity and implement global best practices in digital transformation, supporting Vision 2030 objectives.

LANDI Global Celebrates 20 Years with P-Series Payment Solutions
LANDI Global celebrates its 20th anniversary by launching the P-Series, its most advanced payment solutions portfolio. The new lineup features Android 14, PCI v7.x security, and comprehensive options from the P10, P20, to P30 series, serving over 130 million terminals globally.

BoxCommerce and Mastercard Launch Prepaid Card for SMEs
BoxCommerce and Mastercard have launched a prepaid card program that gives SMEs on the BoxCommerce platform instant access to their earnings. The solution transforms BoxCommerce into a fintech partner, bridging the gap between online selling and digital finance for entrepreneurs across emerging markets.

Global Risks Report 2026: Geoeconomic Confrontation Tops List
The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 identifies geoeconomic confrontation as the top global risk, with economic threats rising fastest in the short term. Half of experts anticipate turbulent conditions ahead, while AI anxiety soars and environmental risks shift in priority.

Global Supply Chains Volatility Reshapes Business Strategy
A new World Economic Forum report reveals that global supply chains have entered an era of structural volatility, with 74% of business leaders now prioritizing resilience investments as a driver of growth. The report introduces a new digital Navigator tool to help businesses and governments navigate permanent uncertainty.

Gulfood Big Deal Hub Accelerates Global Food Trade Deals
Gulfood’s Big Deal Hub is transforming global food trade by enabling C-suite executives to secure deals before the show opens. With over 90% of users in senior decision-making roles across six continents, the platform is driving pre-show meetings and negotiations ahead of Gulfood 2026.

PwC Middle East Announces Leadership Transition with Laura Hinton Appointment
PwC Middle East appoints Laura Hinton as new Senior Partner, succeeding Hani Ashkar after his 12-year tenure. The leadership transition ensures continuity while advancing regional growth and transformation initiatives across the Middle East.

Changan Hunter Saudi Arabia: The Business Partner Transforming Fleet Solutions
Changan Hunter Saudi Arabia transforms business fleet solutions through strategic partnership with Al Majdouie, offering reliable performance, low operating costs, and comprehensive nationwide support for growing enterprises.

Side Gaming Expansion Brings UK Expertise to Saudi Arabia Through Savvy Partnership
UK gaming provider Side announces official expansion into Saudi Arabia through partnership with Savvy Games Group, planning to open Riyadh studio by Q4 2025 to support regional game development ecosystem.

Arcapita Partners with Cloud Capital for Strategic Data Center Acquisition in Minneapolis
Arcapita partners with Cloud Capital to acquire a 21MW data center in Minneapolis with expansion plans to 31MW, targeting growing AI and cloud computing demand in strategic infrastructure investments.
