Vision 2030: The Numbers That Matter
The transformation is no longer theoretical—it’s measurable, it’s real, and it’s
ahead of schedule.
In November, Saudi Arabia delivered compelling evidence that Vision 2030
has moved beyond blueprint to beating heart of the economy:
Economic Acceleration That Defies Headwinds
- Q3 2025 Real GDP: +5% — The strongest quarterly expansion in over two
years - Oil sector growth: +8.2% | Non-oil growth: +4.5% — Diversification is
working - Saudi PMI: 60.2 — Fastest hiring growth in 16 years (up from 52.3 in
September)
Labor Market: The Silent Revolution
- Unemployment dropped to 6.3% — The lowest rate ever recorded in Saudi
labor statistics - Female workforce participation: 36.3% — Already surpassed the 30%
target, aiming for 40% by 2030 - Young women (15–24 years): 18.4% participation — Generational change
happening in real time - Total labor force: 16.8 million workers — 2.8% national unemployment rate
The PIF Enters Its Second Act
The Public Investment Fund—with nearly $1 trillion in assets—announced a
strategic pivot away from megaprojects toward liquid investments in logistics,
minerals, religious tourism, and AI infrastructure. Translation: They’re keeping
$60 billion liquid for opportunities and betting on systems, not structures.
The proof point: PIF-owned Al Balad Development unveiled a $3.6 billion
hospitality portfolio to transform Jeddah’s historic district with 3,300+ hotel
units—proving the pivot includes real, immediate execution.
This isn’t just recovery. This is remapping the kingdom’s future.
Riyadh Air: Runway to Commercial Launch
The dream is turning into a schedule. After months of operational testing,
Riyadh Air announced its next chapter in November with tangible timelines.
When It’s Taking Off
- Q1 2026: General public ticket sales begin
- October 26, 2025: Inaugural London Heathrow flight completed
- Dubai destination: Confirmed as Route #2 with seven additional routes to
follow
The Strategy Behind the Wait
Riyadh Air’s CEO, Tony Douglas, is deliberate: Price competitive with Emirates
and Qatar Airways while maintaining premium service through the Pathway
to Perfect program, which continuously gathers passenger feedback.
The Prize at the End
- 100+ destinations by 2030
- $20 billion contribution to non-oil GDP
- 200,000+ jobs created
Patience isn’t a delay—it’s a differentiator.
FII 2025: The $250 Billion Ecosystem
Numbers tell stories. These numbers tell a revolution.
The Future Investment Initiative concluded with unprecedented outcomes
that redefine where global capital goes when it seeks transformation:
The Scale
- 9,000+ delegates from 90 countries — Largest FII gathering in history
- 650 speakers across 250 sessions
- 20 heads of state in attendance
- $50+ billion in new agreements spanning sectors from AI to renewables
- $250+ billion cumulative deals enabled by FII since inception
November’s Breakthrough Partnerships
HUMAIN’s Trillion-Dollar Push:
- $3 billion partnership with Blackstone for sovereign data centers
- $900 million investment in Luma AI for Arabic video generation
- Joint venture with AMD & Cisco for Middle East AI infrastructure
The UK Enters the Picture:
- £6.4 billion ($8.4 billion) UK-Gulf trade package announced by Chancellor
Rachel Reeves - Largest UK delegation in FII history — Signaling UK’s pivot toward Gulf partnerships
Energy & Sustainability:
- Renewable energy partnerships between ACWA Power, Aramco, and
global utilities to expand low-carbon capacity
FII isn’t a conference. It’s where the next decade gets funded.
AI Ascendancy: The Superpowers Emerging
November changed the game. Two countries just declared their intentions to
become the world’s AI superpowers.
UAE: Building the Global AI HQ
Microsoft s $15.2 Billion Bet (Announced November 3)
The tech giant’s largest Middle East investment ever signals confidence in
UAE’s AI future:
- $15.2 billion through 2029 in cloud and AI infrastructure
- In-country data processing for Microsoft 365 Copilot launching early 2026
- 250,000+ students to be trained in AI by 2026
- 55,000 government employees upskilled through Microsoft Elevate UAE
The 10,000 AI Companies Target (November 6)
AI Minister Omar Sultan Al Olama made it official: Scale from 1,500 to 10,000
AI companies in five years.
His philosophy: “We don’t care about AI just for the glimpse and glamour. It’s
really about quality of life.
The machinery to get there:
- AI Infrastructure Empowerment Platform accelerating government AI
adoption - Dubai AI Acceleration Taskforce coordinating strategy across 27
government entities - Unicorn 30 Programme fast-tracking 30 startups to billion-dollar
valuations by 2033
The 5GW Stargate Campus
The world’s largest AI campus outside the US (26 sq km):
- First 200 MW operational by 2026
- Joint development by G42 and US hyperscalers
- Powered by dedicated grid capacity — No compromises
Saudi Arabia: The AI Powerhouse Awakens
HUMAIN emerged in November as the vehicle for Saudi Arabia’s AI ambition—
targeting third place globally in AI market size.
November s Landmark Announcements
HUMAIN Chat Launches:
- The Kingdom’s first locally-built conversational AI app
- Powered by ALLAM 34B — the most advanced Arabic LLM ever
developed
The Global Partnerships:
- $900 million in Luma AI investment for Arabic video generation
supercluster - $3 billion Blackstone partnership for sovereign data centers
- AMD & Cisco joint venture for Middle East AI infrastructure
The Gulf isn’t importing the AI future. It’s manufacturing it.
UAE’s Fiscal Firepower: Record Everything
The numbers just hit new heights. Again.
Federal Budget 2026 – The Largest Ever
- Dh92.4 billion ($25.2 billion) — Record federal budget
- +29% year-on-year growth — Acceleration, not stabilization
- Social development: 37% | Government affairs: 29% | Investments: 17%
The breakout stat: Investment allocation surged 431% — The UAE is doubling
down on economic engines
Dubai s Three-Year Budget Cycle (2026-2028)
- Dh302.7 billion ($83 billion) total — Largest in the emirate’s history
- 2026 revenue: Dh107.7 billion | Expenditure: Dh99.5 billion — Disciplined
growth - Infrastructure gets 48% — Building for the next generation
Trade Performance That s Rewriting History
H1 2025 data released in November proved the export machine is in
overdrive:
- Non-oil exports: Dh369.5 billion — +44.7% surge
- Total non-oil trade: Dh1.7 trillion ($463 billion) — +24% year-on-year
- 210% increase over H1 2019 — More than doubling in five years
Outward FDI: The UAE Becomes the Arab World s Investor
- Dh1.05 trillion in outward FDI balance (2024) — #1 in the Arab world
- Top 20 globally — The UAE is exporting capital as much as goods
This isn’t fiscal management. This is wealth engineering.
Saudi US Partnership: The Trillion Dollar
Commitment
November 18. The White House. A moment that reshapes alliances. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced an expansion of Saudi investment commitments from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion—and the
scope is transformational.
What’s Included
- AI infrastructure — Powering the next tech wave
- Energy production — Solar, wind, and nuclear
- Defense systems — Nearly 300 American tanks
- Advanced technologies — Semiconductors, chips, quantum computing
The Vehicle: HUMAIN
The Kingdom’s AI company became the immediate executor:
- $900 million Luma AI investment launched weeks later
- AMD & Cisco partnership for regional data centers announced
The Message
US President Trump called it a deal creating many tens of thousands of
jobs —but the real story is deeper: it’s the architecture of a US Saudi tech
alliance.
This isn’t investment. This is the future being built.
NEOM: Recalibration, Not Retreat
NEOM proved in November that visionary projects require adaptive execution.
The development is neither retreating nor overreaching—it’s calibrating for
sustainability.
Sindalah: The First Reality
The first NEOM region now operational, this luxury island delivers metrics:
- 840,000 sq meters of resort excellence
- 86-berth marina with world-class facilities
- 2,400 daily guests targeted by 2028
- 3,500 jobs created
Operational success confirmed through November with strong visitor
satisfaction metrics.
The Line: Progress, Transparent and Real
- 2.4 km (Hidden Marina section) under active construction
- 4,500 foundation piles installed of 15,000 planned
- 1 million cubic meters of earth moved weekly
- Full 170 km completion: 2045 (revised timeline)
- 200,000 residents expected by 2030 — Achievable and realistic
Green Hydrogen: Building the Energy Foundation
- 80% construction completed as of November
- 4 GW of solar and wind power set for mid-2026
- First ammonia production: 2027
Industrial Expansion: Oxagon Gains Momentum
New land lease agreements signed, including Abdullah Hashim Industrial
Gases facility for the reimagined industrial zone.
The dream is intact—calibrated for sustainable delivery.
Regional Economic Resilience: The GCC Strengthens
The Gulf region isn’t just stable. It’s accelerating.
Q1 2025 Performance (November Report)
- Real GDP: $466.2 billion — +3.1% year-on-year
- Non-oil contribution: 73.2% of real GDP — Up 2.6 points from Q4 2024
- Inflation: 1.5% average — Contained and manageable across all GCCstates
Sectoral Winners (H1 2025)
- Abu Dhabi non-oil: 6.4% growth
- Qatar non-oil: 5.3% growth
- Saudi Arabia non-oil: 4.2% growth
Diversification isn’t a future goal. It’s today’s reality.
Startup Surge: 2025 Became the Record Year
November data confirmed what September hinted at: 2025 is MENA’s venture
capital breakthrough.
September 2025: The Historic Peak
- $3.5 billion raised across 74 deals — +914% month-on-month
- Saudi Arabia led: $2.7 billion across 25 startups
- UAE followed: $704.3 million across 26 deals
Q3 2025: The Supercycle Begins
- $4.5 billion total across 180 deals — +523% quarter-on-quarter
- Year-to-date: $6.6 billion — Already surpassing most full-year totals since2021
October 2025: Sustainable Normalization
- $785 million raised — Healthy moderation after September’s peak
- Egypt’s resurgence: $33.3 million across 5 deals — Strong comeback
- Proptech surpassed fintech as the leading sector
The verdict: 2025 is on track to be MENA’s record year for tech investment.
Venture capital isn’t just flowing—it’s flooding.
Tourism & Hospitality: The Supercycle Kicks In
November projections confirmed the region’s hospitality sector is entering an
era of explosive growth.
The Market Trajectory
- 2025: $310 billion market size
- 2032: $487 billion projected — +57% growth in 7 years
What This Means for Jobs & GDP
- $367 billion annual contribution to regional GDP
- 7.7 million jobs in the hospitality ecosystem
- $194 billion in international visitor spending — 25% above 2019 levels
The Construction Pipeline
- 650+ hotel projects across the region — Record first-half pipeline
- 161,500 new rooms coming online
- Average occupancy: 71% — Up 2 points year-on-year
- 5.23 million room-nights sold — 7% growth trajectory
The Catalysts Driving This
- Expo 2030 Riyadh — 42+ million expected visitors
- FIFA World Cup 2034 — Infrastructure transformation underway
The Middle East is becoming the world’s tourism capital.
UAE Africa Strategic Convergence: Building Bridges
October’s summit produced November’s reality: A concrete $6 billion
investment pipeline.
Summit Achievements (October 27, Reported November)
- 350+ leaders from 53 African nations gathered in Dubai
- $6 billion investment mapping initiative launched for tourism, aviation,
transport, and digital transformation - 70,000+ jobs potential across both regions
The Connectivity Backbone
- 550 weekly flights linking UAE and Africa
- $110 billion in UAE investments in Africa (2019–2023) — World’s largest
investor in new African projects - Dh35.2 billion in tourism investment from UAE projected for 2025
What Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Said
The UAE-Africa partnership holds immense promise and has always been
characterised by a shared belief in discovering new avenues for cooperation.
The UAE isn’t just connecting regions—it’s co-creating futures.
December 2025 & Beyond: What s Happening Next
December’s Major Events
The Momentum Into 2026
Post-FII Execution: The $50+ billion in November deals move to
implementation, with particular focus on AI infrastructure and renewable
energy.
Riyadh Air Goes Public: Q1 2026 marks commercial ticket sales launch with
Dubai route activation and seven additional routes announced.
Climate Action: MENA nations advance their commitments following
November’s COP30 in Brazil, setting trajectory toward 2028 Global
Stocktake.
Startup Ecosystem: Q4 capital deployment closes 2025 as a record year, with
investors focusing on fintech, proptech, and AI sectors.
Expo 2030 Build-Out: Rapid site development continues, with 195+ nations
preparing pavilion designs and participation strategies.
The region heads into December with focus, firepower, and futuristic energy.
Expo 2030 Riyadh: From Concept to Construction
November brought final approvals and construction momentum for the
world’s most ambitious expo.
When & What
- October 1, 2030 – March 31, 2031 — 181 days of global celebration
- Theme: Foresight for Tomorrow
- Sub-themes: Transformational Technology | Sustainable Solutions |
Prosperous People
- Sub-themes: Transformational Technology | Sustainable Solutions |
The Scale & Scope
- 42+ million expected visitors from 195+ participating nations
- 2 million square meters of gated exhibition area designed by LAVA
(Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) - Smart infrastructure powered by AI and renewable energy
The Economic Impact (During & After)
- $64 billion to GDP during construction phase
- $5.6 billion annually post-event economic contribution
- Post-Expo transformation into permanent urban destination with retail,
dining, and residences
Expo 2030 isn’t just an event—it’s a blueprint for the future city.
Key Takeaways
- For Investors: November proved the Gulf is no longer a wait and see
market. It’s a deploy and execute market. From HUMAIN’s $900 million
Luma deal to Microsoft’s $15.2 billion commitment, capital is moving at
unprecedented speed.
- For Business Leaders: The diversification is real. Q3 Saudi GDP growth,
UAE’s record budgets, and non-oil sector acceleration mean new
opportunities are opening outside traditional oil/gas sectors—especially in
AI, tourism, and tech.
- For Tech Entrepreneurs: 2025’s $6.6+ billion in VC funding and the UAE’s
plan to 10,000 AI companies signal the region is serious about building,
not just investing. The next unicorn might be building in Dubai or Riyadh
right now.
- For Global Partners: The trillion-dollar Saudi-US commitment and £6.4
billion UK-Gulf package show the region wants global collaboration, not
isolation. This is the moment to engage.
