Saudi Arabia issues an all-time record 6,986 investment licenses in Q3

Saudi Arabia issued 6,986 investment licenses in the third quarter of 2025 – an 83 per cent year-on-year increase and the highest quarterly total on record.

According to data released by the Ministry of Investment, license issuance rose 69 per cent compared to the previous quarter, up from 4,125 licenses in Q2 2025.

The figures exclude licenses issued under the National Anti-Commercial Concealment Program (Tasattur), and highlights strong underlying growth in genuine investment activity across the Kingdom.

The data show a sustained upward trajectory in investment licensing over recent years. Quarterly licenses increased from 1,216 in Q1 2022 to 2,887 in Q4 2023, then climbed to 4,615 in Q4 2024.

Saudi investment licenses hit record high

Momentum continued into 2025, with 4,617 licenses issued in Q1 before surging to a record high in Q3. The total number of licenses issued in the first nine months of 2025 reached 15,728 and crossed the full-year total of 14,320 licenses recorded in 2024.

Three sectors – construction, wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing – accounted for roughly two-thirds of all licenses issued during the third quarter of 2025. Construction led all sectors with 2,583 licenses, reflecting a 143 per cent year-on-year increase. Wholesale and retail trade followed with 1,214 licenses, up 234 per cent, while manufacturing recorded 803 licenses, representing a 34 per cent rise.

Other sectors also posted strong gains, with licenses in accommodation and food services more than doubling to 563, information and communications rising 52 per cent to 517 licenses, and transportation and storage increasing 69 per cent to 314 licenses.

Several sectors also experienced year-on-year declines, including professional, educational and technical activities, agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining and quarrying, and other service activities.

The Ministry of Investment said the continued growth reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing appeal as an investment destination, supported by a stable regulatory framework, business-friendly reforms, and ongoing economic diversification efforts.