Almasar Alshamel sees balanced Saudi-UAE market contribution: CEO

He told Argaam that the company's student numbers in the higher education and special needs education segments currently exceed 29,000 students, noting that the total number of students and beneficiaries increased by approximately 21% during the first half of 2026.

The number of students in the special needs services segment rose by 19% to 7,700 students, while the number of students at Middlesex University reached nearly 7,200, an increase of 16%. The number of students at Nama also increased by about 24% to around 14,000 students, according to the CEO.

The growth in student numbers is attributable to the company's focus on service quality, selecting its operating locations based on demand levels, as well as efforts to attract international and local students. These factors represent the key drivers supporting continued demand for the company's services, both in the special needs and higher education sectors, he added.

“Our performance during H1 2026 was outstanding, thanks to improved operational performance across various areas, alongside steady growth in the number of students and beneficiaries and higher utilization rates at existing centers, in addition to growth in the number of international and local students,” said the top executive.

He added that the efforts undertaken by the company during 2025 and Q1 2026 were reflected in the second-quarter results, pointing out that demand for education services continues to increase, driven by the priority given to the education sector in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in addition to families' keenness to provide high-quality services for individuals with special needs.

Commenting on the performance of Nama Holding, Almutairi said the company's performance during 2025 and H1 2026 was strong, highlighting that its contribution to Almasar Alshamel's revenue was significant and will likely maintain its performance over the coming period.

Regarding expansion plans outside Saudi Arabia and the UAE, he said the company is currently focused on its two main markets, while remaining open to expansion opportunities in other GCC countries when suitable opportunities arise. He noted that any opportunities or investments outside the two core markets are subject to different controls and criteria.

Almutairi also expressed optimism that growth would continue across all segments during the new academic year, noting that current conditions are encouraging. He added that the company works closely with the relevant authorities and ministries in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with significant coordination between them, while acknowledging that the sector is not without challenges.

According to Argaam’s data, Almasar Alshamel's net profit rose to SAR 118.6 million by the end of H1 2026, up 31% year-on-year compared to SAR 90.4 million.