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Saudi Digital Payments Market Attracts Global Investments

Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Saudi Digital Payments Market Attracts Global Investments

Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

Saudi Arabia is pushing to increase digital payments to 70% by 2030, creating significant opportunities for global companies to expand in the region.
According to the Saudi Central Bank, electronic payments in the retail sector grew by 12% in 2023, reaching 70% of total transactions. Cashless transactions hit 10.8 billion, up from 8.7 billion in 2022, driving international companies to establish regional headquarters and capitalize on this growing market.
Nouf Al-Salama, Business Development Manager at PayerMax, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the company has opened a regional office in Saudi Arabia to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
She noted that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are expected to experience rapid growth in e-commerce, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the change. According to CNNB Solutions, both countries are seeing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39% and 38%, respectively.
Federico Pienovi, Head of Commercial Operations for Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania at Argentine company Globant, revealed the company’s ambitions to generate $1 billion in revenue in the Saudi market over the next five years.
He said that Saudi Arabia has been selected as Globant’s regional headquarters, although the company is expanding across the region. With these ambitions, Globant plans to create over 500 local jobs in the coming years, continue its expansion, support national talents, and work on major projects that bring cutting-edge technology innovations to the Kingdom, he underlined.
Mordor Intelligence projects a 15.4% CAGR for Saudi Arabia's payment market between 2022 and 2027, making it one of the most advanced markets transitioning towards a cashless society.
PayerMax estimates the global digital payments market, valued at $7.79 trillion in 2022, will reach $14.77 trillion within five years, driven by the growth of digital wallets, smartphones, and payment technologies. Emerging economies’ rapid smartphone adoption is expected to further fuel this growth.

 

 

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Business

Saudi Economy Surpasses $1 Trillion Mark, Grows 80% Since Vision 2030’s Launch

The Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business offers support for investors in the local market (SPA)
The Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business offers support for investors in the local market (SPA)
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Saudi Economy Surpasses $1 Trillion Mark, Grows 80% Since Vision 2030’s Launch

The Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business offers support for investors in the local market (SPA)
The Saudi Center for Competitiveness and Business offers support for investors in the local market (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s economy has surpassed the $1 trillion mark for the first time, expanding by 80 percent since the launch of Vision 2030, according to the Kingdom’s 2025 Vision 2030 report.

The milestone underscores the impact of fiscal reforms and diversification efforts aimed at reducing dependence on oil. Non-oil activities now account for 55 percent of the economy, up from 45 percent in 2016, while non-oil government revenues have risen more than 170 percent, from SAR185.7 billion ($49.5 billion) in 2016 to SAR505 billion ($134.6 billion) last year.

The report said the gains reflected investment in growth sectors, legal reforms and a more attractive business climate.

Fiscal discipline, rising liquidity

Saudi authorities noted that fiscal policy remained anchored in spending discipline and sustainability, with deficit targets ranging between 5 percent and 7 percent of gross domestic product.

Liquidity reached a record SAR3.167 trillion in 2025, up from about SAR1.799 trillion in 2016.

Officials said expansionary spending had been directed toward strategic sectors linked to economic growth and living standards.

Debt low, reserves rise

Despite higher spending, Saudi Arabia has maintained one of the lowest debt burdens in the G20, with public debt below 50 percent of GDP. Foreign reserves rose to SAR1.7 trillion ($453.3 billion), their highest level in five years.

Real GDP growth accelerated from 1.7 percent in 2016 to 4.5 percent last year, the report said.

Competitiveness gains

Saudi Arabia rose 15 places between 2021 and 2025 in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook to rank 17th globally, placing fourth among G20 countries last year.

The government introduced more than 1,000 reforms and 1,200 regulatory measures in recent years, including allowing full foreign ownership in most sectors and implementing a new bankruptcy law. The measures improved transparency, dispute resolution and legal certainty for investors.

Saudi Arabia has also expanded support for small and medium-sized enterprises through Monshaat, the SME Bank and Saudi Venture Capital Company.

The number of SMEs exceeded 1.7 million by the end of 2025, employing around 8.88 million people and contributing 22.9 percent to GDP. More than 474,000 businesses are owned by young Saudis, according to the report.

Growth outlook

The International Monetary Fund projects Saudi growth of 3.1 percent this year and 4.5 percent in 2027. The World Bank forecasts growth of 4.3 percent in 2026 and 4.4 percent next year.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expects growth of 4 percent this year and 3.6 percent in 2027. For its part, Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry forecasts growth of 4.6 percent in 2026 and 3.7 percent next year.

Business

Vision 2030 Redefines Saudi Arabia's Wealth from Oil Supplier to Global Energy Hub

Solar power in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Solar power in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Vision 2030 Redefines Saudi Arabia's Wealth from Oil Supplier to Global Energy Hub

Solar power in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Solar power in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has chosen to rethink its relationship with its resources, asking a different question: How can we make what we have work to its fullest potential in a rapidly changing world?

This was the essence of Vision 2030, which saw valuable opportunities in diversifying energy sources and maximizing the value of oil and gas to achieve greater prosperity, keeping pace with global environmental changes.

The first clear sign of this shift was the renaming of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Energy, a clear indication of expanding the horizon from oil and gas alone to a comprehensive energy system that includes renewables at its core.

A Naturally Qualified Land

This choice was not made without study. The Kingdom possesses geographical enablers that give it an exceptional competitive position: a climate conducive to successful solar energy projects, vast areas suitable for wind power projects, and geographical diversity that contributes to the development of hydrogen energy, all supported by accumulated investment capabilities and research expertise.

On this fertile ground, a series of initiatives and projects were launched: The National Renewable Energy Program, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Renewable Energy Initiative, and the establishment of the National Renewable Energy Data Center, followed by solar and wind power projects aimed at enhancing electricity generation efficiency.

The results speak clearly: The production capacity for electricity generation from renewable sources increased from 3 gigawatts in 2020 to 46 gigawatts in 2025. The total number of projects related to this sector reached 64, distributed among 40 solar power projects, 9 wind power projects, and 15 energy storage projects.

Hydrogen: The Big Bet

At the heart of NEOM, an unparalleled project is being born: the green hydrogen project, the largest and first of its kind globally, with a production capacity of 600 tons of green hydrogen per day.

To support this direction, the first phase of the Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub was launched, equipped with facilities for generating electricity from renewable sources, desalination plants, electrolysis units, facilities for converting hydrogen into green ammonia, and a dedicated export terminal.

The Battery Race

Figures in the energy storage sector are no less exciting; the Kingdom is approaching China in the global battery storage project cost race, with a cost of $409 per kilowatt for projects with a four-hour storage capacity, compared to $404 for China.

The total capacity of proposed energy storage projects reached 30 gigawatt-hours, while 8 gigawatt-hours have been connected to the electricity grid.

In a remarkable achievement, Aramco successfully operated the world's first renewable energy storage system to support gas well production operations, with a capacity of 1 megawatt-hour, capable of supporting 5 wells for 25 years.

This system relies on a Saudi patent and represents a reliable alternative to traditional solar energy solutions, offering high efficiency in harsh climatic conditions and intelligent response to changing energy needs.

SPARK... When Industry Becomes the Value

Vision 2030 recognized that production alone is no longer sufficient, and that true value lies in building industries, localizing supply chains, and enhancing local content. This is where the idea for King Salman Energy Park "SPARK" was born, with investments exceeding 12 billion Saudi Riyals (3.2 billion dollars) and involving more than 60 local and international investors.

SPARK is located in a strategic position close to energy sources, shipping, and export networks, and includes a dry port allowing faster access. So far, 7 factories have been opened, while another 14 are currently under construction.

Balance, Not Compromise

While the world moves towards transitioning to alternatives to oil and gas, the Kingdom adopts a different vision, believing that an accelerated transition could harm global security and growth, given that renewable energy alone cannot fully meet developmental needs.

Therefore, the Kingdom continues to invest in exploring and developing oil fields, most notably the development of the unconventional Jafurah field, the largest of its kind in the Middle East, which will contribute to maximizing the value chains of gas and petrochemical industries.

Thus, the Kingdom walks a fine line, balancing the preservation of global energy supplies with investment in technologies that eliminate carbon emissions, positioning itself today as a comprehensive energy hub and a model of prudent management.

Business

Saudi Vision 2030 Enters Third Phase with 93% of Targets Met

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi Vision 2030 Enters Third Phase with 93% of Targets Met

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA)

Saudi Arabia will enter the third phase of its Vision 2030 reform program in 2026, with 93% of performance indicators having met, exceeded or nearly reached their targets, according to the initiative’s 2025 annual report.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud said the Kingdom was moving toward a better future through the achievements of Vision 2030, describing it as a model for harnessing resources and capabilities to deliver broad-based development.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for his part, stressed that a decade of reforms under Vision 2030 had produced an “exceptional transformational model,” translating ambitions into tangible results through the efforts of Saudi citizens and state institutions.

“What we have achieved in recent years places upon us a great responsibility to redouble efforts and intensify plans and tools in a way that strengthens gains and ensures sustainable impact,” he stated.

The report highlighted that Saudi Arabia was entering the third and final five-year phase of Vision 2030, running through 2030, after a decade of economic and social reforms aimed at diversification and sustainable growth.

Vision 2030 is structured in three five-year phases. The first, from 2016 to 2020, focused on legislative and institutional foundations, including regulatory reforms, creation of new entities and restructuring of the Public Investment Fund as a driver of growth.

The second phase, from 2021 to 2025, accelerated implementation of national strategies across sectors and regions while investing in new growth opportunities.

Performance indicators

Official data showed 93% of performance indicators under Vision programs had achieved or exceeded annual targets, or were close to doing so.

Of 390 active indicators, 309 met or surpassed interim targets, while 52 had achieved between 85% and 99% of their goals. Of 1,290 active initiatives, 935 have been completed since the launch of the plan, while 225 are progressing on schedule, meaning 90% are either complete or on track.

Economic indicators

Real GDP grew 4.5% in 2025 from a year earlier, the highest annual expansion in three years, while non-oil activities accounted for more than half of the economy, the report said.

Saudi unemployment fell to 7.2% at the end of 2025 from 12.3% at the end of 2016, helped by labor market reforms and broader economic growth. Inflation remained relatively stable at 2.0%.

Major ratings agencies maintained positive sovereign assessments. Moody’s affirmed an Aa3 rating with a stable outlook, while Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings maintained A+ ratings with stable outlooks.

Growth forecasts

The International Monetary Fund forecasts Saudi growth of 3.1% in 2026 and 4.5% in 2027. The World Bank projects growth of 4.3% and 4.4% in those years, while the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development forecasts 4.0% and 3.6%. For its part, Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry projects growth of 4.6% in 2026 and 3.7% in 2027.

Social and sector reforms

Home ownership among Saudi households rose and participation in physical activity increased. Non-oil exports reached record levels, driven by industrial growth and logistics development, while the Kingdom improved its position in global competitiveness rankings.

Efforts to digitize government services and expand access to data continued, alongside growth in volunteering and volunteer opportunities.

Third phase

The report said the third phase would maintain long-term goals while adapting implementation methods to new requirements.

Governance and regular monitoring of performance indicators would remain central to measuring progress and adjusting course amid global economic shifts requiring flexibility and spending efficiency aligned with national priorities.