Saudi Arabia launches sweeping reforms and mega-projects in early 2026

Saudi Arabia has entered into 2026 with major advances in digital infrastructure, historic financial reforms and assertive geopolitical positioning aimed at reinforcing regional stability alongside domestic modernisation.

From sovereign-scale technology investments to capital market liberalisation and large transport projects, the Kingdom has moved quickly to strengthen the foundations of its diversified economy while maintaining a firm regional stance.

Saudi Arabia has underlined its ambitions in the global digital economy by laying the foundation stone for the Hexagon Data Center, a 480-megawatt facility described as the world’s largest government data centre.

The project is designed to safeguard technical sovereignty while accelerating the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

At the same time, the Capital Market Authority announced a landmark regulatory change, confirming that from February 1 the Saudi capital market will open to all categories of foreign investors for direct investment.

The move abolishes the Qualified Foreign Investor requirement, a step aimed at boosting liquidity and attracting greater global capital inflows.

Riyadh’s urban transformation continued with the award of the Red Line Metro expansion project, which will extend the network by 8.4 kilometres to connect King Saud University with Diriyah, further enhancing public transport access across the capital.

Saudi Arabia in 2026

Tourism indicators also reached new highs, with King Abdulaziz International Airport handling 53.4m passengers over the past year, the highest figure on record.

In parallel, Saudi Arabia marked a milestone in its cultural and hospitality offering with the launch of the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia, formally placing the Kingdom on the global culinary map.

On the geopolitical front, the Kingdom took decisive steps regarding developments in Yemen. Following unauthorised military escalations, the Southern Transitional Council announced its dissolution and the closure of its offices, pledging to engage in a Saudi-brokered dialogue.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen also unveiled a new package of development initiatives valued at SAR1.9 billion ($507m). The package includes 28 projects across health, energy, education and transport, alongside a petroleum derivatives grant to support power generation nationwide.

Saudi Arabia also led a coordinated diplomatic response by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation nations rejecting Israel’s recognition of “Somaliland”, reaffirming collective support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Saudi Arabia in numbers

Recent data further illustrates the breadth of activity across the Saudi economy and society:

• 12m visitors recorded so far at Riyadh Season
• 10.4 per cent year-on-year increase in the Industrial Production Index for November 2025
• $827m (SR3.1bn) joint development agreement for the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in Diriyah
• 20 ancient rock art sites discovered in the Soudah Peaks area, dating back 4,000–5,000 years
• 123,000 new commercial registers issued in Q4 2025
• 57m parcel shipments recorded during Q4 2025
• 43m ride-hailing trips completed in Q4 2025
• 99.53 per cent compliance rate achieved by King Faisal Hospital in Makkah for CAP accreditation, the highest in the Middle East
• 26m visitors to Quba Mosque in Madinah over the past year
• 8.4bn table eggs produced in the Kingdom in 2024
• 1,631 academic research citations recorded by Al-Baha University faculty in 2025
• $12bn in total Saudi support to Yemen between 2012 and 2025
• More than 100 countries participating in the fifth Ministerial Roundtable at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh
• 32 per cent growth in the Saudi national maritime fleet in 2025, the second-highest among G20 nations
• 12,000 roses required to distil a single tola of Taif rose oil, from an annual harvest of 550 million roses

Balancing reform and stability

Together, the early developments of 2026 illustrate a Kingdom advancing rapid domestic transformation while maintaining assertive regional engagement.

By liberalising its financial markets and investing in sovereign digital infrastructure, Saudi Arabia is reinforcing the structural pillars of its economy.

These moves are being matched by diplomatic and security actions aimed at ensuring that the objectives of Vision 2030 progress within a stable regional framework.