Saudi Arabia is in the middle of a major economic shift, and its giga projects are leading the charge. These huge, ambitious, government-backed developments are designed to transform whole sectors and regions. For international companies thinking about expansion, they’re not just eye-catching headlines – they’re clear signs that the time to act is now.
What Are Giga Projects?
Giga projects are massive government-funded developments created to help Saudi Arabia move beyond its reliance on oil. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), they cover a wide range of sectors including tourism, technology, sport, sustainability and infrastructure. These aren’t theoretical concepts either – they’re underway now, with significant milestones already reached.
NEOM
Saudi Arabia’s most high-profile project, NEOM is a $500 billion city being built entirely from scratch in the temperate northwest of the Kingdom. More than just a city, NEOM is an entirely new model for sustainable living, innovation and enterprise. It includes:
- THE LINE: A 170km long linear city with no cars, roads or emissions. It will run on 100% renewable energy and accommodate 9 million people. Its design prioritises health, nature and connectivity, with everything you need within a five-minute walk.
- Trojena: A mountain destination offering the Gulf’s first outdoor ski experience. Located 2,600m above sea level, Trojena will feature winter sports, luxury resorts, stargazing, adventure activities and state-of-the-art wellness centres.
The NEOM project is currently employing 140,000 workers, with projections to reach 200,000 in 2025, across 15 diverse sectors, including energy, biotech, tourism, media, mobility, food and sport – all aimed at attracting global investment and talent.
Qiddiya
Positioned south-west of Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to become Saudi Arabia’s capital of entertainment, sports and culture. Attractions will include:
- Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia water park
- A Jack Nicklaus Championship Golf Course
- A dedicated Gaming and Esports District
- International sports arenas, racetracks and performing arts venues
With an expected 48 million visits annually and 325,000 new jobs created, Qiddiya is a bold bet on the spending power and interests of the Kingdom’s youthful population, and aims to entice tourists from across the globe to experience Saudi’s spin on entertainment.
Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global is developing a string of regenerative tourism destinations along the west coast, with an emphasis on sustainability and ecological preservation. Projects include:
- The Red Sea: Featuring 50 resorts and over 1,000 residential properties by 2030, this development has been limited to preserve 75% of the area’s islands.
- AMAALA: A wellness-focused destination with a strong conservation mission, which includes the Corallium Marine Life Institute, world-class resorts and a luxury marina village.
The first resorts are already open, with more coming throughout 2024-2025. The Red Sea project alone aims for a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040.
These giga projects aren’t just reshaping cities – they’re building entirely new ecosystems that are hungry for partnerships, innovation and expertise.
A Once-in-a-Generation Market Shift
Giga projects sit at the heart of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s national plan to diversify the economy, open up to foreign investment and empower the private sector. The aim is clear: become a global business and tourism hub.
Despite many of these projects still being years away from completion, there are already signs that things are moving in the right direction. Unemployment for Saudi nationals fell to 7% by the end of 2024, down from 7.8% the year before. The non-oil economy is growing steadily, fuelled by surging demand in real estate, hospitality, infrastructure, clean energy and technology. Crucially, these projects need partners: engineers, developers, consultants, manufacturers, IT specialists, hospitality brands and more.
For international businesses, this means access to:
- Multi-billion-dollar public and private investment
- A young, rapidly growing population
- Fast-track business licensing and special economic zones
- Major demand for innovation, skills and services
Why Businesses Should Pay Attention
Saudi Arabia isn’t just funding these giga projects – it’s inviting the world to help build them. Whether your company works in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy or tech, there are clear, growing opportunities.
Expansion here also gives you:
- First-mover advantage in one of the fastest-growing emerging markets
- Access to long-term government contracts
- A base in a region strategically located between Europe, Asia and Africa
- Supportive infrastructure including international airports, digital networks and transport links
The scale and ambition of these developments are rare. Businesses that move early will be better positioned to win work, build partnerships and grow market share.
How Leap29 Can Support Your Expansion
Expanding into markets such as Saudi Arabia comes with challenges – from navigating local regulations to sourcing talent and ensuring compliance. That’s where Leap29 comes in.
We help businesses set up and scale in Saudi Arabia through our on-the-ground expertise and end-to-end workforce solutions. Whether you need short-term support or long-term infrastructure, our services include:
- Workforce Management: Hire, manage and pay your staff efficiently and compliantly.
- Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO): Access the talent you need, fast.
- Employer of Record (EOR): Employ staff in Saudi Arabia without setting up a legal entity.
We work closely with licensed local sponsors to ensure your expansion is fast, effective and fully compliant with Saudi labour laws. If you’re ready to explore the Saudi market, we’re ready to help you make it happen.
If expansion into Saudi Arabia is on your radar, now is the time to act. Leap29 is ready to support you every step of the way.
