RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has begun implementing its national privatization strategy following cabinet approval, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan announced. This is a new phase aimed at improving the quality of infrastructure, improving public services and increasing private sector participation in economic development.
Al-Jadaan, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the National Center for Privatization, said the strategy was approved by the Cabinet on November 25, 2025 and is in line with the goals of Vision 2030 in terms of improving service efficiency, strengthening public-private partnerships, and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term financial sustainability.
“We aim to establish a high-quality, efficient and future-ready infrastructure that can provide world-class public services to its citizens, residents and visitors, while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global benchmark in public-private partnership models,” Al-Jadaan said.
The strategy targets 18 priority areas and aims to improve public service satisfaction while creating tens of thousands of professional jobs. It also aims to exceed 220 public-private partnership agreements signed by 2030 and attract more than SR240 billion in private capital investment by the end of the decade.
To achieve these goals, the National Privatization Strategy includes five core programs and 42 executive initiatives designed to strengthen the privatization ecosystem and advance Vision 2030 goals. It also features an implementation framework for identifying and prioritizing privatization opportunities, with more than 145 high-priority investment opportunities already identified for private sector participation.
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Al-Jadaan noted that the Council for Economic Development Affairs approved the end of the privatization program after successfully completing its tasks.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has achieved important milestones, including the establishment of a national privatization center and the development of more than 200 approved projects with a total investment estimated at SR800 billion.
Nearly 90 agreements have been signed covering asset transfers and public-private partnerships across multiple sectors.
He said the program also plays a central role in strengthening the private sector’s contribution to the economy, improving the efficiency of government asset management, and strengthening the legislative and regulatory environment that supports investment, economic diversification and competitiveness.
The launch of the National Privatization Strategy follows the successful completion of its original objectives and formally marks the transition from the foundational phase of the program to a new phase focused on accelerating implementation and effectiveness.
