Saudi Social Development Bank finances 100,000 beneficiaries in 2025 with $2.1 in lending

Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank has reported a strong performance in 2025, reaching 100,000 citizens and businesses through financing and development programmes while expanding support for entrepreneurs, freelancers and productive families.

The results were announced during the Board of Directors meeting for the fourth quarter of 2025, chaired by Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chairman of the Bank’s Board of Directors.

Social Development Bank said total financing provided to entrepreneurs and small and emerging enterprises reached SR3.1bn ($826m), benefiting 8,000 businesses.

Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank

Financing extended to freelancers and productive families amounted to SR2.8bn ($746m), supporting 65,000 citizens, while total social financing reached SR2bn ($533m), benefiting 35,000 citizens.

The bank said it achieved all its objectives for 2025 in financing and development support, alongside the expansion of non-financial services.

At the meeting, Eng. Al-Rajhi praised the leadership’s support for the social development sector and said the achievements reflected the impact of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince on national development efforts.

“The Social Development Bank, a key pillar in financing entrepreneurs and small businesses, plays a vital role in empowering the nation’s youth to turn their ideas into productive projects, contributing to a sustainable, innovative economy and advancing the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he said.

In 2025, the bank continued to strengthen its non-financial services portfolio, with approximately 61,000 beneficiaries receiving empowerment and development services through specialised programmes.

Business support

Jada 30, the largest business community in the Middle East, expanded to 13 branches across the Kingdom, supporting 4,300 businesses, including 1,300 established in 2025.

Through the Dulani Business Centre, around 20 beneficiaries participated in consulting and development programmes focused on qualifying entrepreneurs and enhancing project readiness for growth and sustainability.

The bank also advanced its financial literacy initiatives, opening more than 60,000 new savings accounts in 2025 through the Zod Savings and Zod Al-Ajyal programmes.

The Board reviewed the performance of financing portfolios and noted that allocations to the information technology, gaming and esports sectors increased to SR1.3bn ($347m), supporting innovation and emerging industries.

The social responsibility portfolio expanded to SR360m ($96m) through partnerships with national entities, aimed at supporting entrepreneurship and enhancing societal impact.

Eng. Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamidi, CEO of the Social Development Bank, said: “The bank’s achievements in 2025 showcase a strong commitment to enhancing developmental impact through expanded partnerships with public and private sectors and the launch of new financing products.

“It has prioritised promising sectors like financial technologies, gaming, and esports as key drivers of economic diversification and opportunity, aligning with national development priorities and Saudi Vision 2030.”

He added that leadership support has been instrumental in expanding the bank’s impact and fostering a more diversified and sustainable economy.