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Saudi Arabia Reshapes the Future of the Digital Economy Through Advanced Digital Infrastructure, Global Partnerships

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Reshapes the Future of the Digital Economy Through Advanced Digital Infrastructure, Global Partnerships

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia has leveraged its advanced digital infrastructure and partnerships with leading global technology companies to establish its position as a global hub for artificial intelligence investment, underpinned by competitive advantages that include reliable energy, vast land availability, and a strategic geographic location.

The Kingdom has made rapid strides in the data center sector, with capacity increasing from 68 MW in 2021 to more than 467 MW in the first quarter of 2026, supported by investments exceeding SAR56.2 billion in data centers and digital infrastructure. The sector has grown more than sixfold since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, as part of a national data and AI strategy that contributes to economic diversification and strengthens the Kingdom’s readiness for the knowledge economy.

Saudi Arabia has further strengthened its position as a global destination for technology investment by attracting some of the world’s largest cloud service providers. The Kingdom hosts operations for Oracle, Alibaba Cloud, and Google Cloud, alongside an SAR11 billion strategic partnership between HUMAIN and Blackstone, reflecting growing global confidence in Saudi Arabia’s digital investment environment, SPA reported.

This investment appeal is underpinned by a comprehensive set of competitive advantages, including abundant energy resources, extensive land available for data center expansion, and a geographic location connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, positioning the Kingdom second globally in data center market attractiveness.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership has extended to helping shape the future of the global digital economy. As one of the leading G20 countries in the communications and technology sector, the Kingdom led G20 consensus on a roadmap for defining and measuring the digital economy and the adoption of human-centered, trustworthy AI principles. It also contributed to transforming the Digital Economy Task Force into a permanent working group, reinforcing its role as an international partner in advancing digital policies and strengthening global cooperation in technology.

As part of its efforts to bridge the global digital divide, the Kingdom has led pioneering initiatives, including a 5G trial using High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), which demonstrated the ability to cover nearly half a million square kilometers in remote areas. Saudi Arabia also conducted the first-of-its-kind trial integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) with terrestrial networks, offering a future solution for expanding connectivity and accelerating access for unconnected communities.

These achievements have been reflected in the Kingdom’s performance across international indicators. Saudi Arabia ranked first globally twice in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2026 ICT Development Index, outperforming 159 countries, reflecting the strength of its integrated digital infrastructure, widespread connectivity, and high levels of digital adoption. The Kingdom also ranked second among G20 countries in the ITU’s ICT Regulatory Tracker and second among G20 countries in digital competitiveness according to the European Center for Digital Competitiveness, while digital infrastructure coverage reached approximately 99% of the Kingdom’s population.

Saudi Arabia has continued to strengthen its standing across global AI indices, ranking first in the Arab world and 14th globally in the Global AI Index. The Kingdom also ranked first globally in AI security, privacy, and encryption; first in women’s empowerment in AI; third globally in the development of advanced AI models; and third in the share of specialized AI talent, while recording the world’s highest growth rate in specialized talent. It also ranked fourth globally in attracting international talent.

The impact of this progress has extended to empowering people and improving quality of life. Saudi Arabia launched the world’s largest virtual hospital, leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to deliver advanced healthcare services. The Kingdom has also made significant strides in empowering women in the technology sector, with their participation rising from 7% to 35%, surpassing the averages of both the G20 and the European Union. This reflects the success of investing in human capital alongside investment in digital infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia’s readiness has also received recognition from independent international institutions. JLL, as reported by Bloomberg, expects Riyadh to lead the growth of AI-related data centers in the Middle East, further underscoring the Kingdom’s growing position as one of the world’s leading destinations for investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

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Business

Riyadh Air Adds Two Flights to London Heathrow, Increases Service to Nine Weekly

Riyadh Air’s first two Dreamliners at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, June 5, 2026. (SPA)
Riyadh Air’s first two Dreamliners at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, June 5, 2026. (SPA)
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Riyadh Air Adds Two Flights to London Heathrow, Increases Service to Nine Weekly

Riyadh Air’s first two Dreamliners at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, June 5, 2026. (SPA)
Riyadh Air’s first two Dreamliners at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, June 5, 2026. (SPA)

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, announced on Thursday that it will operate two additional flights between Riyadh and London Heathrow, expanding its service between the two cities to nine times weekly from the current daily service.

Following its successful launch to London Heathrow on June 10, the airline now flies eight aircraft to 14 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and aims to be on sale to almost 30 destinations by the end of 2026.

Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas said: “Since launching our London service four months ago, we have continued to build our presence in the UK by launching flights to Manchester and now increasing two additional roundtrip flights to Heathrow.”

“The additional flights help us meet the growing demand on this important route while giving guests more choice and flexibility while strengthening the connection between Riyadh and London,” he added.

The additional return services are planned for Monday and Wednesday, with a daytime flight from Riyadh to London followed by an overnight departure to Riyadh and are scheduled to begin on November 2.

The expanded schedule will give guests more options for travel between the two cities, including business trips, short breaks and extended weekends.

Business

Italian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Will Work with Saudi Arabia to Enter Third Markets

Signing of a cooperation agreement between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Italy's national promotional and development institution (X)
Signing of a cooperation agreement between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Italy's national promotional and development institution (X)
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Italian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Will Work with Saudi Arabia to Enter Third Markets

Signing of a cooperation agreement between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Italy's national promotional and development institution (X)
Signing of a cooperation agreement between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and Italy's national promotional and development institution (X)

Riyadh and Rome are moving their economic relations toward a more practical track, with plans for joint cooperation in third markets, alongside expanding channels of cooperation between Saudi and Italian companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

The move comes as Italy's national promotional institution, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), signed two agreements in Riyadh, one with Saudi Arabia's National Development Fund and another with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, aimed at expanding financing and investment cooperation and facilitating companies' access to opportunities in both countries.

A senior Italian official told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Riyadh and Rome is not limited to the Saudi and Italian markets, but also extends to working together in "third markets." He noted that Saudi Arabia's economic diversification offers broad opportunities for Italian companies, given Italy's diverse industrial base and expertise across multiple sectors.

On Wednesday, the Federation of Saudi Chambers and CDP signed an agreement in Riyadh aimed at activating the Saudi-Italian strategic partnership launched in AlUla, opening financing channels for joint projects, integrating small and medium-sized enterprises into cooperation between the two countries, and strengthening the federation's role as the institutional representative of the Saudi private sector in cooperation with its Italian counterpart.

The agreement provides a practical framework for strengthening partnerships between the business sectors of the two countries by supporting a business-matching platform that connects Saudi companies with their Italian counterparts, introducing projects and investment opportunities, and establishing communication channels to help Italian companies explore the Saudi market and facilitate their entry.

CDP is part of the Saudi-Italian strategic partnership launched in AlUla, while the agreement enables the Federation of Saudi Chambers and its Saudi-Italian Business Council to play a greater role in advancing private-sector cooperation between the two countries and turning partnership opportunities into joint projects and business ventures.

Joint Strategic Cooperation

Dario Scannapieco, President of CDP (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti), told Asharq Al-Awsat that cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia "is not limited to bringing the two countries closer together or working within the Saudi market, but also includes cooperation in other countries and third markets."

He explained that the Italian delegation's visit to Riyadh has several objectives, foremost among them meeting with investors and strengthening cooperation with Saudi institutions. He said the meeting with the National Development Fund was "very fruitful" and had paved the way for excellent cooperation with it in many fields.

He added that the agreement signed with the Federation of Saudi Chambers represents "a further step" toward moving from institutional cooperation to more operational cooperation, with the aim of helping Italian SMEs that want to explore the possibility of entering Saudi Arabia, providing them with direct contacts and facilitating their access to the market.

"We are launching and revamping a platform that will put Italian SMEs in contact with Saudi SMEs. So business opportunities may develop from this new opportunity. This is another signal that Italy and Saudi Arabia must cooperate more," Scannapieco said.

He noted that there are many opportunities for cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia through Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Italy's national promotional institution, adding that CDP is working to foster this cooperation and expand its scope.

Regarding the agreement's details, Scannapieco said its first objective is to support and expand the business-matching platform, which will connect Saudi SMEs with Italian SMEs and help them identify potential partners.

"The second is the idea to work on selected projects here in Saudi Arabia and allow Italian companies to know about these projects. The Expo is one of this kind where clearly Italian projects may be involved," he said.

"The third is to create a contact point between these two organizations, so to iron out all the doubts and to clearly push developing this relationship." He explained that when an Italian company wants to enter the Saudi market, it needs support in obtaining authorizations and handling other requirements.

"So it's very concrete, goes in the direction to make easier the access to Saudi Arabia for Italian companies," he said.

On the extent to which the strategic relationship between the two countries can help address challenges that may arise in the region, Scannapieco said Italy has "a very diversified industrial base" and produces a wide range of products.

"We are the third most diversified industry after China and the United States," he said.

This diversity, he added, enables Italian companies to provide specialized technical expertise and become useful partners in efforts to diversify the Saudi economy. "We could be extremely valuable partners."

He said the next phase requires bringing the Italian business sector's presence in Saudi Arabia to a broader level. Many large companies are already present in the Kingdom, he noted, but "now is the time to also give the opportunity to SMEs to internationalize in this region," thereby expanding the base of economic cooperation between the two countries.

Saudi-Italian Partnership Moves Toward Implementation

Kamel Al-Munajjed, Chairman of the Saudi-Italian Business Council, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the agreement is a direct extension of the meeting held in AlUla in January 2025 between Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which elevated relations between the two countries to the level of a strategic partnership and made economic relations one of its main pillars.

He added that the agreement signed Wednesday between CDP and the Federation of Saudi Chambers represents a practical step toward strengthening cooperation between the business sectors of the two countries and provides a new channel for turning existing relations into commercial and investment partnerships and projects.

Al-Munajjed said the agreement strengthens the partnerships built by the Saudi-Italian Business Council with Confindustria and CNA through delegations, forums, and direct business meetings. He noted that CDP's capabilities and the scope of the Federation of Saudi Chambers' work would help turn these links into more sustained business opportunities.

He said the agreement offers two main advantages. The first is CDP's business-matching platform, which allows Saudi and Italian companies to enter information about their capabilities and business interests and then identify potential partners whose needs match those capabilities.

The platform can shorten the path for companies seeking suitable partners. A Saudi industrial company looking for Italian technology, for example, can identify companies capable of meeting its needs, while an Italian company seeking to enter the Saudi market can search for a local partner. The federation and the business council will work to encourage companies to use the platform and follow up on cooperation opportunities that emerge through it.

The second advantage, Al-Munajjed said, is strengthening cooperation with SIMEST, a subsidiary of the CDP Group. Its presence in Riyadh and support for the international expansion of Italian companies could help more companies, particularly SMEs, establish and expand their businesses in Saudi Arabia.

He added that the joint channel provided by the agreement will enable Saudi companies seeking to trade, invest, or operate in Italy to reach suitable Italian partners and identify new opportunities. He called on the Saudi business community to take advantage of the partnership and work to turn it into sustainable projects and shared growth opportunities.

Al-Munajjed said Italian companies have specialized expertise in engineering, technology, and manufacturing, while Saudi companies provide knowledge of the local market and the ability to expand. Opportunities for cooperation extend to trade, infrastructure, telecommunications, industry, energy, tourism, and other sectors.

He added that Expo 2030 Riyadh represents an important opportunity to bring these capabilities together and open new areas for companies in both countries. He stressed that the priority now is to move to implementation by bringing companies onto the platform, identifying priority sectors, establishing clear points of contact, and following promising opportunities through to actual projects.

Business

Oil Prices Rise 2% as China Suspends Fuel Exports

The Klesch oil refinery, formerly BP, produces petrol, diesel, and jet fuel in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, one day before the German government starts a fuel tax discount, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Klesch oil refinery, formerly BP, produces petrol, diesel, and jet fuel in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, one day before the German government starts a fuel tax discount, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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Oil Prices Rise 2% as China Suspends Fuel Exports

The Klesch oil refinery, formerly BP, produces petrol, diesel, and jet fuel in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, one day before the German government starts a fuel tax discount, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Klesch oil refinery, formerly BP, produces petrol, diesel, and jet fuel in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, one day before the German government starts a fuel tax discount, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Oil prices rose around 2% on Thursday after China suspended oil products exports, potentially tightening fuel markets already coping with supply shortages globally, while investors continued to assess renewed diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran war.

The new front-month December Brent crude futures contract traded at $100.09 per barrel at 0829 GMT, up 2.1%, or $2.06, from Wednesday's close, Reuters reported.

The November contract expired on Wednesday, settling at $103.50 per barrel, marking a monthly gain of around 14% in September for the front-month contract.

US West Texas ⁠Intermediate crude was ⁠up $2.06, or 2.28%, to $92.48 a barrel.

Prices were volatile on Thursday, having slipped more than 1% in early trading, before rebounding.

Chinese refiners have suspended exports of oil products to regions beyond Hong Kong and Macau until further notice, four people briefed on the matter said on Thursday, a move that will further crimp war-constrained fuel markets.

"The Chinese export ban suggests concerns about domestic product availability," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said, adding that it remains to ⁠be seen whether the measures will support higher crude imports after recent drawdowns in Chinese crude and fuel stocks.

Global diesel supplies have tightened as a result of falling refining capacity due to attacks linked to the Middle East and Ukraine wars, raising pressure on governments to intervene to shield consumers.

The Trump administration has told Germany and France to draw down emergency diesel inventories to help ease global fuel prices or face a potential US diesel export ban, three people close to the discussions said.

European diesel refinery profit margins were trading at around $80.05 per barrel at 0829 GMT, down around 4% from the previous session. The margin hit an all-time high of $95 per barrel on September 23.

Investors ⁠continued to watch ⁠diplomacy efforts and oil exports in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia resumed oil tanker loadings from Yanbu, Reuters reported on Tuesday, after earlier restarting operations on its East-West Pipeline.

Iran said on Wednesday it had received a US response to its latest proposal to resurrect the collapsed ceasefire in the Gulf.

However, US President Donald Trump denied reports by Axios and CNN citing US officials as saying he was willing to give Iran sanctions relief and release frozen Iranian funds in return for "concrete" steps by Tehran on its nuclear program.