Identifying Key Industries for High Returns in Saudi Arabia in 2026

Explore Saudi Arabia’s top sectors for investors in 2026, from mining and tourism to IT and logistics, driven by Vision 2030 reforms and mega-projects.

Nine years into Vision 2030, 93% of the program’s KPIs have been fully or partially achieved, with 257 indicators exceeding their targets.

This progress underscores Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to expanding its non-oil sector by nurturing the development of industries such as IT, construction, mining, tourism, and logistics.

In fact, the Kingdom’s non-oil sector is poised for sustained growth over the next decade. According to Moody’s, Saudi is on course to maintain non-oil sector growth between 4.5% and 5.5% annually through the next five to ten years.

With opportunities abounding, many international companies now view setting up a business in Saudi Arabia not as optional but as a strategic necessity for global expansion.

To date, Saudi has attracted over 616 international companies establishing their regional headquarters, with expectations that this number will surpass 1,000 by 2030.

This sustained momentum has created five powerhouse sectors offering immediate opportunities for global investors seeking high-growth returns and looking to benefit from government reforms, incentives, and private sector empowerment.

From Exploration to Processing: Saudi Arabia’s Mining Sector Opens to Investors

Saudi Arabia’s mining sector continues to accelerate as the Kingdom’s next major economic pillar, offering a wealth of investment opportunities across various stages of the mineral value chain. The country holds an estimated $2.5 trillion in mineral wealth, and 2025 marked a pivotal year for exploration and licensing.

Saudi Arabia is increasingly opening access for foreign investors to key mining areas. In March 2025, a major licensing round allocated 4,788 square kilometers across the Jabal Sayid and Al Hajjar sites, rich in copper, zinc, gold, and silver deposits. Fourteen local and international firms participated, with Hancock Prospecting (Australia), Vedanta (India), and Zijin Mining (China) leading investment commitments totaling $97.6 million for exploration over three years.

Saudi Arabia is committed to growing domestic production and exploration, with annual spending on exploration increasing by 32%, far above the global average of 6-8%.

By 2030, the sector is expected to contribute a little over $75 billion to GDP and generate 250,000 jobs.

With 100% foreign ownership and up to 75% capital financing through the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, the Saudi mining industry remains one of the most accessible and profitable for global investors across exploration, investment, drilling technologies, and midstream and downstream operations.

Tourism Growth Opens New Horizons for Businesses

Saudi Arabia recorded 106 million visits in 2024, surpassing its original Vision 2030 target six years ahead of schedule, a 12% increase from the previous year. This rising number of international travelers has strengthened the country’s position on the global tourism map.

Furthermore, the sector’s economic contributions keep leveling up. In 2024, tourism revenues in Saudi Arabia jumped to SAR 153.61 billion 2024 from SAR 135 billion in 2023. In terms of job creation, tourism supported more than 2.5 million jobs last year. This growth reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategy to go beyond conventional leisure tourism and empower tourism as a key economic driver.

Momentum remains strong in 2025, with Saudi Arabia attracting 32 million tourists during the summer season alone, generating SAR 53.2 billion—a 15% annual increase. The launch of the TOURISM platform under the PIF umbrella was a major initiative to boost long-term investment and shape the next 50 years of tourism in the Kingdom.

The GCC and regional markets remain leading sources of inbound visitors, with strong growth also coming from Europe, Asia, and China. Improved air connectivity and the introduction of new direct routes are further supporting inbound growth, particularly as the country prepares for the full launch of Riyadh Air, its second national airline.

One obvious beneficiary of tourism growth is Saudi Arabia’s hospitality market. Market reports point to the need for 362,000 hotel keys by 2030, up from around 167,500 currently, with an additional 99,500 under construction or in planning. This provides immense opportunities for investors, construction firms, and global hotel brands.

With ongoing efforts to enhance travel infrastructure, expand entertainment offerings, and host global events such as World Expo 2030 in Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry is set for sustained growth in the coming years.

As event tourism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments, global companies exploring the events industry are well-prepared to tap into the ongoing tourism transformation.

A $1.7 Trillion Construction Pipeline Opens Vast Avenues for Global Investors

As of 2025, Saudi Arabia’s construction pipeline exceeds SAR 1.7 trillion (approximately $400 billion), underscoring the sector’s role as the backbone of Vision 2030 delivery. Globally, Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic markets for construction, home to some of the world’s most ambitious mega-projects.

Projects across the Kingdom’s cities continue to create demand for international expertise, manpower, and advanced technologies. In 2024 alone, the sector issued 3,800 new licenses—a 59% quarterly increase—bringing the total registered construction companies to 8,900.

Saudi Arabia led the Gulf projects market in Q3 2025 with $28.1 billion in contract awards. This strong pipeline indicates a clear shift from planning to execution, driving record demand for construction services spanning smart infrastructure, hospitality, and renewable energy facilities.

Upcoming global events, such as World Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, are also fueling major development. Preparations include the construction or refurbishment of 15 stadiums across five cities—NEOM, Riyadh, Jeddah, Alkhobar, and Abha. These projects continue to position Saudi Arabia as a crucial destination for international firms seeking to expand in large-scale urban development.

Global Companies Poised to Benefit from Saudi Arabia’s Rapidly Growing IT Sector

Saudi Arabia’s IT and digital economy sector continues to outpace global trends. The Kingdom now ranks first globally in the ICT Development Index, with 99% of its population online. The sector’s next phase of growth is driven by Vision 2030’s digital transformation goals, strong public-private partnerships, and large-scale infrastructure investments.

The government’s push to localize AI solutions, including Arabic-native models and culturally aligned data systems, is generating strong demand for international expertise in deep tech and AI integration. AI alone is projected to add $135 billion by 2030, representing 12.5% of total output.

Meanwhile, the cybersecurity market, expected to reach $13.4 billion by 2029, presents major opportunities for companies specializing in AI-driven protection and compliance services. Combined with the benefits of Special Economic Zones (SEZs)—offering tax incentives, 100% foreign ownership, and streamlined regulations—Saudi Arabia has become a strategic launchpad for international IT firms targeting the Middle East’s largest and most digitally ambitious economy.

In 2025, the digital economy contributed 15% to GDP, driven by the ongoing transformation of traditional sectors like healthcare and education, among others.

Global Developers Target Expanding Logistics Opportunity

Saudi Arabia’s logistics sector presents major opportunities for global companies as it undergoes rapid transformation and expansion. Saudi Arabia climbed to 34th place in the World Bank’s 2025 Logistics Performance Index, improving three places from the previous year—supported by digital customs clearance, smart ports, and multimodal integration linking land, sea, and air networks.

Valued at $136.3 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $198.9 billion by 2030, the sector is fueled by infrastructure investment, digitization, and sustainability initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.

The government’s $267 billion infrastructure plan—spanning roads, railways, seaports, and airports—creates significant openings for firms specializing in transport engineering, supply chain management, and smart logistics solutions. The number of logistics hubs and zones is expanding from 22 to 59 by 2030 to strengthen cross-border trade and e-commerce distribution.

Digitization projects, including the Saudi Ports Authority’s Smart Ports Initiative and NEOM Port’s automated systems, invite partnerships in AI, cloud computing, automation, and cybersecurity.

The Kingdom’s commitment to green and circular logistics under the Saudi Green Initiative further opens markets for firms specializing in sustainable transport technologies, renewable integration, and last-mile delivery innovation.