Saudi PIF Operating Profit Doubles, Assets Hit $1.21 Trillion

The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
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Saudi PIF Operating Profit Doubles, Assets Hit $1.21 Trillion

The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)
The Public Investment Fund Tower at King Abdullah Financial District. (PIF)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has put its 2025 financial performance under the spotlight of global markets, publishing its audited consolidated financial statements on the London Stock Exchange in a move that reinforces its role as a driver of economic transformation and a global investor across continents.

The figures revealed an exceptional year for the fund. Net profit surged 152% to $17.36 billion, or 65.1 billion riyals, while total assets rose 5% to nearly $1.21 trillion, or 4.54 trillion riyals.

The jump was not simply the result of market swings. It reflected a flexible expansion strategy that balanced investment in future sectors, such as artificial intelligence through the launch of HUMAIN, with major domestic development projects, including Riyadh Expo 2030.

It also came alongside innovative green financing tools that strengthened foreign investor confidence in the fund’s financial position and long-term sustainability.

Operational efficiency drives record profit

The consolidated financial statements showed a sharp year-on-year improvement in profitability, mainly driven by stronger earnings from associates and a 9% drop in the fund’s administrative expenses. The decline pointed to higher operating efficiency and tight spending discipline.

Operating profit climbed to $20.8 billion, or 77.9 billion riyals, from $9.2 billion, or 34.6 billion riyals, in 2024, marking growth of more than 120%.

The gains were supported by a 9% increase in total revenue to $119.73 billion, or 449 billion riyals, from 413 billion riyals a year earlier, reflecting continued portfolio growth and stronger returns.

That performance fed directly into net profit for 2025, which jumped 152% to $17.36 billion, or 65.1 billion riyals, from 25.8 billion riyals in 2024. The result was more than double the previous year’s level.

The fund also maintained a high level of cash and cash equivalents, exceeding $93.33 billion, or more than 350 billion riyals, underscoring its ability to keep executing its investment strategy.

Asset growth and 2030 ambitions

The strong results come as the fund continues to expand its asset and investment base at speed. Assets have risen from about 720 billion riyals in 2017 to 4.54 trillion riyals, or $1.21 trillion, by the end of last year. The fund is targeting 10 trillion riyals by 2030, according to the Saudi Vision 2030 annual report.

The growth aligns with the fund’s new 2026-2030 strategy, announced at the start of this year. The strategy aims to shift from building strategic sectors to integrating economic ecosystems and accelerating growth. It places the private sector as a partner in creating value, not merely an implementer of projects, in line with the third phase of Vision 2030 and the push for deeper long-term investment partnerships.

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan said the new strategy marked “a natural progression” from a phase of growth and expansion to a new phase focused on sustainable value, greater impact and higher investment efficiency.

He said the fund would transform the 13 strategic sectors in earlier plans into six integrated economic ecosystems built around companies with clear objectives. The focus would be on strengthening financial returns, maintaining investment efficiency, and continuously assessing the performance of investments and projects.

Under this vision, the fund’s investments are spread across three main portfolios: the Vision Portfolio, the Strategic Investments Portfolio and the Financial Investments Portfolio.

Backing future sectors

In future sectors, the fund moved in 2025 to accelerate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies through the launch of HUMAIN. The company invests across the AI value chain, including infrastructure, data centers, cloud capabilities, advanced models and applications.

To deepen that push, the fund signed a non-binding term sheet with Saudi Aramco under which Aramco would acquire a significant minority stake in HUMAIN, while PIF would retain the majority stake. The aim is to combine key assets and expand the company’s technical capabilities.

In future mobility and sustainability, Lucid Group, majority-owned by the fund, reported a 55% year-on-year rise in vehicle deliveries to 15,841 vehicles in 2025. The increase coincided with the launch of the Driving Force program in partnership with Formula E to expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, with a target of reaching more than 50,000 students in Saudi Arabia, the United States and the United Kingdom by the end of 2025.

Tourism and entertainment gain pace

On the domestic development front, the fund accelerated support for major local development and tourism projects while strengthening the wider economic ecosystem.

It launched Riyadh Expo 2030 Company to develop and operate the facilities of the first World Expo to be hosted by Saudi Arabia and to invest in those facilities over the long term. The project is expected to support sustainable tourism, create new opportunities for the private sector and boost its contribution to gross domestic product during construction, operation and beyond.

The year also brought major milestones in entertainment and luxury tourism. Qiddiya City announced the opening of the first Six Flags theme park outside North America, creating a distinctive destination in the kingdom. Red Sea Global also announced the official opening of AMAALA, its luxury coastal destination.

Alongside these major construction and development projects, the financial statements showed that the fund’s investment properties rose to $21.46 billion from $17.46 billion in 2024.

Green financing enters a new phase

The fund’s investment securities, valued at $576.4 billion, show a disciplined approach to diversifying risk by geography and currency to secure sustainable returns.

The Middle East and North Africa remained the largest exposure at $344.2 billion, followed by North American markets at $145.9 billion, European markets at $44.7 billion and Asian markets at $41.6 billion.

To support capital markets, the fund signed memorandums of understanding with global financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Franklin Templeton, to develop innovative investment strategies focused on the region.

In financing, the fund marked a new milestone with its first euro-denominated green bond issue, worth 1.65 billion euros. Demand was strong, with orders exceeding the amount offered by more than six times. The fund also launched its first commercial paper program as a short-term financing channel.

Private sector and local content

As part of its commitment to the domestic economy, the fund held the third edition of the PIF Private Sector Forum, bringing together portfolio companies and government entities to review opportunities in major projects.

The fund’s initiatives also continued to support localization, develop local suppliers and increase the private sector’s share in emerging projects. The aim is to ensure that the fund’s historic financial growth feeds directly into the structure of Saudi Arabia’s broader, more sustainable economy in the years ahead.

 



Saudi Vision 2030 Exhibition at LEAP 2026 Highlights Transformation Journey

The Saudi Vision 2030 exhibition, participating in LEAP 2026, offers visitors an immersive experience showcasing the transformations the vision has led since its launch in 2016. (SPA)
The Saudi Vision 2030 exhibition, participating in LEAP 2026, offers visitors an immersive experience showcasing the transformations the vision has led since its launch in 2016. (SPA)
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Saudi Vision 2030 Exhibition at LEAP 2026 Highlights Transformation Journey

The Saudi Vision 2030 exhibition, participating in LEAP 2026, offers visitors an immersive experience showcasing the transformations the vision has led since its launch in 2016. (SPA)
The Saudi Vision 2030 exhibition, participating in LEAP 2026, offers visitors an immersive experience showcasing the transformations the vision has led since its launch in 2016. (SPA)

The Saudi Vision 2030 exhibition, participating in LEAP 2026, offers visitors an immersive experience showcasing the transformations the vision has led since its launch in 2016, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The exhibition tells the story of one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s greatest transformation success stories, whose impact has extended across vital and development sectors in various regions of Saudi Arabia.

Presented in both Arabic and English, the exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive tour across five sections.

The journey begins with the vision story section, which provides a concise and comprehensive overview of the vision, why it was launched, its foundations, its three pillars, the strategic objectives derived from them, and the tools used to implement them.

The exhibition also takes visitors through the vision’s stages and journey from 2016 to the present, following the completion of its first 10 years and its entry in 2026 into its third phase, extending through 2030.

This phase focuses on maintaining implementation momentum and consolidating the gains of transformation to ensure its impact continues beyond 2030.

The following section highlights the economic, social, and development transformations Saudi Arabia has witnessed over these years, including employment, housing, economic diversification, investment, and quality of life.

An interactive screen tracks progress across more than 13 performance indicators directly linked to the strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, enabling visitors to review the indicators’ performance based on the latest data and statistics. This reflects the mechanisms used to measure progress, monitor achievements, and assess their impact.

The visitor journey concludes with stories of people, indicators, and achievements, highlighting a national transformation whose impact has extended to citizens, places, and sectors.


SABIC, Lenovo Sign MoU to Explore Cooperation Opportunities

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (SABIC)
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (SABIC)
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SABIC, Lenovo Sign MoU to Explore Cooperation Opportunities

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (SABIC)
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (SABIC)

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global technology company Lenovo on the sidelines of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The agreement aims to explore strategic cooperation opportunities that support innovation in the industrial sector.

The MoU reflects the two companies' commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's transformation into a global hub for innovation and advanced industries. It establishes a framework to identify areas of cooperation and leverage their expertise to develop advanced industries and innovative technological capabilities in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Through the cooperation, SABIC and Lenovo will explore opportunities to combine their expertise and capabilities in areas that support industrial development, knowledge transfer, and technological advancement.

Lenovo continues to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia after opening its regional headquarters in Riyadh earlier this year, with plans to establish research and development and manufacturing facilities. The investments aim to strengthen local capabilities, advance knowledge transfer and research, and develop Saudi talent in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies.


Austria Seeking Digital Partnerships, Joint Investments with Saudi Arabia

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll, LL.M., and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll, LL.M., and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Austria Seeking Digital Partnerships, Joint Investments with Saudi Arabia

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll, LL.M., and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll, LL.M., and Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi-Austrian relations are heading toward a new phase that transcends political and diplomatic cooperation into viable commercial and research partnerships, as well as executable digital projects. This shift places an increasing focus on artificial intelligence, digital government, secure and sovereign digital infrastructure, applied research, and industrial technology.

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll, LL.M., told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country was seeking “to help translate the political relationship into concrete business and research partnerships”.

Pröll is in Saudi Arabia to take in the LEAP 2026 conference in Riyadh.

“Meeting directly with Saudi ministers gives us the chance to talk frankly about where our two digital agendas overlap and where we can genuinely work together,” he added.

He hoped that the relationships built this week turn into real projects over the coming months.

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll during a dialogue session at LEAP 2026. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi-Austrian relations

Pröll said: “Saudi Arabia and Austria have a long-standing and friendly relationship, and I see real momentum building specifically in the digital and technology space.”

“Both our countries are pursuing ambitious, government-led digital transformation agendas - Vision 2030 on the Saudi side, and on ours a clear push toward digital sovereignty, from our Public AI Initiative and our Chatbot ‘ida’ for the federal administration, GovGPT, to our digital identity system, ID Austria,” he went on to say.

“That gives us a genuinely shared language: both countries understand digitalization not just as a technology question, but as a question of capability, resilience and sovereignty.”

The delegation at LEAP 2026 “brings together such a broad Austrian delegation - our national research institution, our federal infrastructure and telecom regulatory bodies, and leading companies in cloud infrastructure and engineering technology - is itself a sign of how seriously we take this partnership,” he noted.

LEAP: From dialogue to projects

Commenting on LEAP, Pröll said: “It is one of the very few platforms where you can have serious conversations with governments, researchers and industry from across the world in the space of a few days.”

“My first objective is to present Austria's approach to digital sovereignty and responsible AI to an international audience - what we have built with GovGPT, our Public AI initiatives, and our push for a European approach to digital infrastructure - and to learn from what Saudi Arabia has achieved at a pace and scale that few countries can match,” he stressed.

“We have brought the heads of our national research institution, our federal real estate and infrastructure company, our telecoms and media regulator, and companies active in cloud and data infrastructure and in engineering and mobility technology. My objective is to open doors for them - to introduce them to the right Saudi counterparts, in government and in industry, and to help translate the political relationship into concrete business and research partnerships,” he said.

AI’s ‘immediate potential’

Pröll said AI is probably the area where he sees the most “immediate potential”.

“Digital government is a good example: we have built GovGPT as a tool to make our public administration more efficient and more accessible, and Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in digitizing government services at scale - there is a lot we can learn from each other on implementation, on user adoption, on what actually works,” he stated.

“On data infrastructure, Austria is investing significantly in expanding our own sovereign compute capacity, and Saudi Arabia is building some of the most ambitious digital infrastructure projects in the world. That is an area where I would like to explore how Austrian expertise - in engineering, in energy-efficient and secure infrastructure - can be part of that story,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll during a dialogue session at LEAP 2026. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

AI governance

Pröll raised the question of responsible and trustworthy AI. “I've argued, including at the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, for a binding international framework for AI governance,” he said.

“I don't see that as a brake on innovation. I see trust as a precondition for AI to be adopted at scale, by citizens and by businesses,” he continued.

“I would like Saudi Arabia and Austria to be part of that conversation together, alongside our work on AI research through institutions, like our Austrian Institute of Technology,” he stressed.

Partnerships and investment

Pröll said that opportunities for Saudi and Austrian companies are not limited to exchanging expertise, but extend to joint research and development, projects, and direct investments.

“Each of the organizations travelling with me brings something specific to the table. Our national research institution works on applied AI, data infrastructure and technology research, and is a natural partner for joint R&D with Saudi research institutions and universities,” he went on to say.

“Our federal real estate company manages public infrastructure at national scale and has real expertise to offer on developing the physical infrastructure that digital and data projects need. Our telecoms and broadcasting regulator can offer a regulatory dialogue on everything from spectrum to platform governance, which becomes more important as both our digital sectors grow,” he noted.”

“We have a company specializing in cloud and data center infrastructure that is actively looking at international markets, and a global engineering technology company with deep expertise in powertrain, mobility and simulation technology that is highly relevant to Saudi Arabia's industrial diversification and mobility ambitions,” he added.

Pröll said: “My hope is that this visit is the start - that these meetings lead to concrete pilot projects, business partnerships, and where it makes sense, direct investment in both directions.”

“I see Austrian companies as reliable, high-quality partners for the technology ambitions of Vision 2030, and I hope Saudi partners will see the same potential we do.”

Austrian State Secretary at the Federal Chancellery for Digital Affairs, Constitution and Public Service Alexander Pröll at LEAP 2026. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Beyond AI

Pröll added that technological cooperation between Austria and Saudi Arabia does not stop at artificial intelligence, pointing to significant potential in quantum technologies and quantum communications.

“Austria has a strong research base in quantum computing and quantum communication, and this is a field where early cooperation between countries can shape the next decade of technological competitiveness,” he explained.

Cybersecurity is another: as our societies digitize, protecting that infrastructure becomes as important as building it, and it's an area where regulatory and technical cooperation go hand in hand,” he revealed.

He also pointed to mobility and engineering technology, “where Austrian companies are global leaders in powertrain development, simulation and testing - directly relevant to Saudi Arabia's ambitions in advanced manufacturing and future mobility.”

Beyond LEAP

Pröll stressed that the most critical step following the Riyadh visit is to ensure that the momentum does not stall once the conference concludes.

“I would like to see this visit translate into a structured, ongoing dialogue - regular contact between our ministries and agencies, and a clear framework for cooperation that the companies and institutions in this delegation can build on,” he said.

“Concretely, I would welcome the chance to follow up with a Saudi delegation visiting Austria, so our partners can see firsthand what we have built and continue these conversations on our home ground,” he remarked.

“What matters most to me is that the relationships built this week don't stay at the level of good intentions, but turn into real projects - in research, in infrastructure, in AI governance - over the coming months,” he added.