Global Scans · Saudi Arabia · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: Saudi Arabia could see some tumultuous economic policy changes provoked by the lower oil price era and the emerging challenge from renewable energies. It also faces threats from Middle East turmoil.

• [New] In Saudi Arabia, by the 2050s, there will be nearly 20 heat waves annually, each lasting an average of 10 days. Informed Comment
• [New] Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 includes a $500 billion NEOM smart city project, designed to be a global innovation hub powered entirely by renewable energy. Forbes
• [New] Rising electricity demand in the Middle East plays a significant role, adding more than 50 bcm / yr of demand between 2024 and 2030, primarily due to large-scale oil-to-gas switching initiatives, led by Saudi Arabia. IEA
• [New] Recent separate data center deals involving Saudi Arabia and AI startup Anthropic would further boost Nvidia growth beyond what it has already projected. Sophic Capital
• [New] Saudi Arabia's cautious and measured approach to AI implementation ensures that while some services are automated, others will remain human-centric to foster genuine people-to-people connections. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Saudi Arabia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CSL Seqirus and Vaccine Industrial Company to localize the production of cell-based seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines for 2026 and 2027. Seemorerocks
• [New] Saudi Arabia is seeking to present its regional development model directly linked to its foreign policy rooted in what might be called quiet power. Eurasia Review
• [New] Saudi Arabia plans to imminently increase commercial ties with Lebanon since the Lebanese government has demonstrated efficacy in countering drug smuggling to Saudi Arabia over the past few months. Critical Threats
• [New] Saudi Arabia is targeting 130 GW of renewables by 2030. AGSI
• Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has accelerated infrastructure tokenization through its partnership with WhiteBIT. Ainvest
• Investors gain opportunities in cross-border payment platforms, RWA tokenization, and regions with proactive frameworks like Saudi Arabia and Singapore. Ainvest
• Ultra-connected autonomous mobility districts in Saudi Arabia and UAE will create new economic clusters for EVs, robotics, and digital logistics. PR Newswire UK
• Energy & Utilities represented USD 27.4 billion, supported by smart-grid modernization, advanced metering, AI-based load balancing, and renewable energy integration, particularly in UAE and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programs. PR Newswire UK
• The overall economy may grow by 4.8% to 5.1% in 2025 and by 6.5% in 2026, with non-oil growth at 3.8% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026. / Saudi Arabia IR Global
• The PIF expects the giga project to eventually attract 48 mn visitors annually and contribute about SAR 17bn (USD4.5bn) to Saudi Arabia's GDP. Nasser Saidi & Associates
• Over the next decade, Saudi Arabia has the potential to become a leading biotechnology hub that will generate significant economic opportunity. Medium
• The future of banking in Saudi Arabia is unfolding now, shaped by regulatory reform, customer expectations, and technological disruption. Finastra

Last updated: 01 December 2025