Saudi Arabia has successfully diversified its economy in recent years in line with its ambitious Vision 2030 project to meet several key targets.
The Kingdom has created a blossoming commercial landscape, and is set to enjoy even more success in 2026. Read on as we analyse four business trends to watch in Saudi Arabia.
Mining Becomes a Core Industrial Growth Engine
Saudi Arabia has made mining one of the core tenets of its long-term economic diversification plan. It is unlocking more of its estimated $2.5 trillion in mineral wealth.
The Middle Eastern giant has spent more than five times the global average on exploration of these mineral resources, as mining takes precedence.
During the 2025 licensing rounds at sites such as Jabal Sayid and Al Hajjar, there was a structural shift that signalled that foreign firms are becoming key partners in exploration, drilling and processing.
Attention will shift from these early-stage extraction processes to more midstream and downstream development, including refining, logistics and mining technology services.
More investors will take an interest in Saudi Arabia’s mineral sector in 2026. Government support is strong, as they permit 100 percent foreign ownership and make up to 75% of the project financing available via the Saudi Industrial Development Fund.
The mining sector is projected to contribute over $75 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, making mining in 2026 a lucrative opportunity for companies in manufacturing, infrastructure and export growth.
Online Gambling and the Economics of a Restricted Market
Although Saudi Arabia prohibits all forms of gambling, many of its technologically-savvy population wants to enjoy new modes of digital entertainment. Local residents are increasingly using the platforms listed on reputable comparison website haz-tayeb.com/en/ to play their favourite online casino games.
With other neighbouring countries softening their stance towards betting, Saudi Arabia cannot afford to maintain its current strict stance.
If Saudi Arabia decides to regulate iGaming, software development, cybersecurity and cloud infrastructure firms will gladly seize the opportunity. They will be required to ensure that Saudi Arabia’s iGaming ecosystem is compliant, safe, secure and responsible.
Financial technology firms and responsible gaming tech providers would benefit, as the demand for geolocation controls, payment filtering, compliance and user-risk monitoring tools increases.
Next year could be remembered as the time when Saudi Arabia changes its tune about iGaming, bringing it into line with many other nations across the world.
Tourism Scales from Growth Sector to Mega-Industry
Saudi Arabia has spent the past few years bolstering its tourism sector, but it is expected to become a key economic pillar in 2026.
The Kingdom has already surpassed its original target for visitors mapped out in Vision 2030, and next year will be focused on yield, specialisation and global positioning.
Tourism revenues exceeded SAR 153bn ($40.8bn) in 2024, and that number is poised to keep rising if Saudi Arabia can efficiently handle its capacity issues.
Saudi Arabia needs to more than double its hotel keys by 2030, driving a demand for construction, operations, branding and event management expertise.
Event-led tourism is expected to become an even bigger trend, driven by preparations for Expo 2030, the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and a relentless calendar of cultural and entertainment events.
New airlines, routes and integrated tourism platforms are also spurring the tourism economy.
Businesses can capitalise, not just by providing hotels and travel services, but through real estate, digital ticketing, experience design, security, logistics and workforce training.
Tourism has the potential to become one of the most interconnected growth sectors in the Kingdom, and businesses will be keen to capitalise next year.
Digital Infrastructure and Logistics Converge
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and logistics sector are practically already inseparable, and they will together define the country’s competitive advantage.
The digital economy contributes around 15% of GDP while tech adoption is rising across ports, customs, warehousing and last-mile delivery. Saudi Arabia has quickly climbed up the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, having systematically digitised through smart ports, tech-driven customs clearance and multimodal integration.
The logistics market is being projected to hit $200bn by 2030, supported by another $267bn in infrastructure plan and the expansion of logistics centres from 22 to almost 60 nationwide.
More opportunities will emerge around cloud computing, automation, cybersecurity and sustainable transport solutions.
Saudi Arabia is a growth market and a regional command centre that leverages scale, regulatory support and digital readiness to influence trade flows across the Gulf and beyond.
