- Saudi Arabia has announced $14.9 billion in investments during the LEAP 2025 Tech Conference, aiming to position itself as a global tech hub. The investments span various sectors, including AI and infrastructure, and are part of the Kingdom's broader Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy beyond oil. Notable commitments include a $1.5 billion AI data center project by Groq in partnership with Saudi Aramco, and significant investments from global tech giants like Google and IBM, which are expected to enhance local job creation and technological capabilities.
- The Kingdom's tech workforce has seen substantial growth, with the number of tech jobs increasing from 150,000 in 2021 to 381,000 in 2024. This growth reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering a robust digital economy and reducing the gender gap in tech. The LEAP 2025 event also highlighted the establishment of new manufacturing facilities, such as the one by Lenovo, which is projected to create thousands of jobs and contribute significantly to the non-oil GDP. These developments indicate a strong market appetite for tech investments in the region.
Why it matters
This significant investment underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a leading global technology hub, enhancing its economic diversification efforts.