Global technology company Lenovo has inaugurated its regional headquarters in Riyadh, after investing more than 2 billion riyals ($532 million) in the Saudi economy, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional technology and industrial hub.
The move goes beyond establishing an administrative base. Lenovo plans to build one of its largest integrated manufacturing centers worldwide through a partnership with Alat, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The company aims to reshape regional supply chains and produce devices labeled “Made in Saudi Arabia” for markets across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, capitalizing on the Kingdom’s favorable investment environment and rapid economic transformation.
Tareq Alangari, Lenovo Senior Vice President and President for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, said Saudi Arabia plays a “significant and strategic role” in the company’s regional strategy.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that initiatives such as the Regional Headquarters Program, alongside close cooperation with government partners, have created a business environment that supports regional coordination and long-term investment.
Lenovo has invested nearly 2 billion riyals ($532 million) in Saudi Arabia so far, with plans for further expansion.
The investments include the newly opened regional headquarters, a manufacturing facility due for completion by the end of 2026, and plans for a research and development center and a customer experience center. The company is also investing in Saudi talent.
As part of that effort, 28 Saudi engineers have completed training in China under a smart manufacturing graduate program and have returned to take up leadership engineering roles at Lenovo’s local operations.
Alangari said the factory, expected to begin commercial operations by the end of this year, is in the final stages of operational and logistical readiness, including equipment installation, technical testing, and supply chain alignment.
“We will scale up production capacity in phases, in line with operational readiness and market demand,” he stated.
Saudi Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif, who attended the launch, said Lenovo’s decision reflects the strength of the Saudi economy and the attractiveness of its investment climate.
He described the move as a successful example of the Regional Headquarters Program, which aims to attract multinational companies and enable them to manage and expand regional operations from Saudi Arabia.
Al-Saif said Lenovo is building an integrated presence in the Saudi market in cooperation with national entities, supporting regional growth and meeting global demand through a system that combines decision-making, logistics and an enabling investment environment.
He added that the company’s expansion includes developing research and development programs and skills training, as well as establishing a manufacturing platform with a capacity of up to 8 million units annually. The project is expected to create skilled jobs and support the localization of technology and industry.
Built on a 200,000-square-meter site in Riyadh Integrated and developed in partnership with Alat, the facility will produce millions of devices under the “Made in Saudi Arabia” label.
With total investment reaching $2 billion, the factory will strengthen Lenovo’s global manufacturing network, which includes more than 30 plants worldwide.
The new hub is expected to improve supply chain efficiency and bring Lenovo closer to customers in the Middle East and Africa, enabling faster delivery and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional center for industry and technology.
