2025 in Saudi Arabia carried a sense of progress you could feel, showing up in different corners of the market. You heard it when you spoke with a new General Manager whose company had just expanded, from business leaders already building on the ground, and from Saudis – the nation’s pride – who are relentlessly driving their country forward.
This year also strengthened how Saudi connects to the world through new and deeper corridors. Reflecting on the year, this wrap-up article celebrates the milestones we’ve achieved with our partners and stakeholders, alongside the top stories that captured the macro-trends resonating most with global businesses.
A year of accelerated global expansion into Saudi
In 2025, our priority stayed clear. Help more global companies enter Saudi and grow with confidence. Through the right partnerships across corporate banking and international corridors, we made the expansion journey more joined up from end to end and reinforced why companies continue to rely on AstroLabs as their long-term expansion and growth partner.
Activating Saudi Arabia’s creative and media sector
Closing the year, we joined the Riyadh Creative District (RCD) at KAFD. Built as a purpose-driven ecosystem for media, media-tech, creative industries, and culture, RCD brings companies, talent, and investors into one hub designed to accelerate the Kingdom’s next generation of content, production, and innovation.
For AstroLabs, this is a natural step as we continue supporting the growth of Saudi’s media sector alongside RCRC. The Riyadh Creative District gives global players a strong base to build their teams, plug into the local ecosystem, and operate with greater certainty as they scale in the Kingdom.
2025 data reveals what’s fueling Saudi’s expansion rush
Saudi Arabia’s expansion momentum in 2024 was defined by speed and conviction as highlighted in our 2025 Saudi Market Entry Report. 64% of surveyed global businesses said they were looking to enter the Kingdom immediately (within 1–3 months) – a 33% increase in urgency vs. 2023, with 81% citing Saudi’s vast untapped market potential as the primary motivator.
The report’s Saudi Success Index reinforces what separates faster growers from slower movers – localization and market integration consistently rank as the strongest success drivers. Read more here.
AstroLabs Network dinners became a gateway to business success in Saudi
2025 was also a year of consistent relationship-building through monthly curated AstroLabs Network dinners – bringing together international companies, local stakeholders, and global institutions shaping investment and operating confidence in the Kingdom. These gatherings helped companies move with more clarity, connecting with the right stakeholders at the right time, and learning from general managers and decision makers that are already building in Saudi.
A sincere thank-you to everyone who joined us this year – MISA, RCRC, SAB, NEOM, PIF, Bloomberg, Al Arabiya, the US–Saudi Business Council, JETRO, the British Embassy, Business France, and the companies that repeatedly showed up to share real on-the-ground insight with newer entrants, including Blacklane, SentinelOne, Assembly Global, Teads, Fresha, and Unipart.
Unlocking business expansion with Saudi Awwal Bank
We partnered with Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) to enable fast‑growing international companies to venture into Saudi Arabia by providing end-to-end market entry and business expansion services.
The partnership is designed to streamline the full journey, from market-entry guidance, formation and licensing through to office setup and ongoing business development support, helping companies move from “entry” to “operating and scaling” with more clarity. The Business Gate platform provides a seamless corporate banking experience, which our 2025 Saudi Market Entry Report highlighted as a priority for 59% of Saudi General Managers.
Streamlining international expansion with Al Rajhi Bank
Strong corporate banking support early on can make the Saudi expansion journey smoother. Our partnership with Al Rajhi Bank was built to bring that support closer to the expansion path – helping international companies move through key milestones with more clarity and continuity.
Fast-tracking Bahraini business entry with Export Bahrain
In August, we signed with Export Bahrain to help Bahrain‑based businesses of all sizes expand into the Saudi Arabia and UAE markets by providing market entry support, business development services, and capacity‑building initiatives.
Global expansion success stories
In 2025, these high-growth firms expanded into Saudi with a long-term lens – investing in local presence, staying tight on compliance, and integrating into the market early. As the Kingdom rewarded that commitment, they were able to unlock stronger partnerships, win more deals, and scale across the Kingdom.
Virgin Atlantic launches Riyadh hub for Saudi expansion
Virgin Atlantic’s arrival in Saudi is both a response to booming travel demand and a strategic bet on long-term growth, reflecting wider global interest in the Kingdom’s expanding tourism and business sectors. The expansion supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by enhancing tourism and business travel links between the Kingdom and Europe.
Blacklane expands premium mobility services across Saudi Arabia
Germany’s Blacklane, a global premium chauffeur service, is expanding its operations across Saudi Arabia to meet rising demand for high‑end mobility, supported by strategic partnerships and a focus on sustainable, tech‑driven solutions such as electric vehicles.
Footballco reaches 14 million Saudi fans through its RHQ
UK-founded Footballco has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia by launching a regional headquarters in Riyadh, reaching 14 million Saudi fans each month through its popular media brands like GOAL and KOOORA, and deepening engagement in the Kingdom’s growing football ecosystem.
Policy foundations powering market growth
2025 brought forth significant regulatory shifts, with far-reaching implications for its business landscape. We’ve examined the most consequential changes and what they mean for global companies setting up in Saudi Arabia.
Five-year rent freeze transforms the Saudi real estate landscape
The five-year rent freeze is emerging as a key catalyst for business relocations, reshaping real estate dynamics and offering international companies and expatriates the financial certainty needed to expand in Saudi Arabia with confidence.
Labor law reforms redefine the employment landscape
From extending probation periods to 180 days to formalizing fixed-term contracts for foreigners, 2025’s labor law amendments have proven vital for international firms, ensuring smooth operations and higher job stability across the private sector.
2026 property laws open real estate to foreign investors
The announcement that foreigners can invest in Saudi real estate from 2026 opened entirely new possibilities for international capital deployment by driving business investment and unlocking fresh opportunities across the real estate and construction sectors.
Infrastructure and mega projects reshaping Saudi cities
This year was marked by a wave of infrastructure and tourism mega-projects reshaping Saudi cities. From real estate and retail to travel, these developments are redefining urban growth and unlocking new opportunities across major sectors.
$27 billion Riyadh towers drive commercial real estate transformation
Riyadh’s approval of 100 new commercial towers worth $27 billion signaled the capital’s ambition to become a global business hub. These massive projects expand opportunities in the construction pipeline for developers, builders, and professional services firms.
Al Balad project revives Jeddah’s historic hospitality quarter
A $3.6 billion bet on Jeddah’s Al Balad is redefining Saudi hospitality. By merging the UNESCO heritage with modern hospitality standards, the project is opening new doors for global F&B and cultural tourism brands.
Al Waha launches Saudi’s first duty-free company
Al Waha, Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated duty-free company, launched with ambitions to capture the Kingdom’s surging travel retail market, showcase high-quality Saudi products, and create new opportunities for local retailers and global brands alike.
Saudi Arabia’s trade corridors strengthened
The Kingdom’s accelerating cross-border trade has fueled new opportunities for global business. We’ve highlighted how stronger ties with strategic international partners are helping companies establish and expand their presence in Saudi Arabia.
Chinese investment surges in Saudi manufacturing and industrial sectors
Saudi Arabia’s growing manufacturing base, export‑driven industrial incentives, and strategic sectors like automotive, technology, and construction are key drivers attracting Chinese capital.
Saudi-US Investment Forum unlocks $575B in bilateral agreements
With over $575 billion in cumulative agreements, the 2025 Saudi-US Investment Forum provided a clear framework for US companies to leverage new government initiatives and position themselves within the Kingdom’s most vital sectors.
UK sports businesses expand rapidly into the Saudi market
UK sports businesses are increasingly attracted to Saudi, with sports emerging as a key draw, thanks to major upcoming events like the 2027 Asian Winter Games and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, thereby contributing to the strengthening Saudi–UK economic corridor.
Looking ahead to 2026, momentum in Saudi Arabia shows no signs of slowing. With further regulatory reforms expected and billions in infrastructure projects breaking ground, the opportunities for international businesses continue to expand across every major sector.
As the leading business expansion partner for 850 companies, we will continue to be at the heart of the change, sharing the most impactful stories, lessons learned, and market-entry insights that help global businesses unlock their full market potential and establish operations built for long-term success.
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Meta: AstroLabs’ 2025 year in review: strategic partnerships, expansion success stories, policy shifts, and mega-projects that shaped Saudi Arabia’s business landscape.