Investment licenses in Saudi Arabia jump 252% to 9,018 in Q2 2026

Logo of Ministry of Investment

The Ministry of Investment issued nearly 9,018 licenses in Q2 2026, jumping 252% year-on-year (YoY).

The Ministry said the increase reflects growing investor confidence and the continued attractiveness of the Kingdom’s investment environment, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to position the Kingdom as a leading investment destination, according to the Economic and Investment Monitor report.

The number of investment licenses has risen significantly in recent quarters, increasing from 2,561 in Q2 2025 to 6,701 in Q3 2025, then to 8,379 in Q4 2025 and 7,627 in Q1 2026, before reaching 9,018 in Q2 2026. This was the highest level recorded in the available data since Q1 2021.

**Issued licenses reflect active licenses only.

Most investment licenses issued in Q2 2026 were concentrated in construction, wholesale and retail trade, and manufacturing, with the three activities accounting for around 66% of total licenses issued during the quarter.

Construction led by the number of licenses, with 2,628 in Q2 2026, up 218% from Q2 2025.

It was followed by wholesale and retail trade with 2,337 licenses, up 285%, and manufacturing with 1,009 licenses, up 284%.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing recorded the highest growth in the number of licenses issued during Q2 2026, at 736%, followed by electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning, which grew 700%.

*Historical investment license figures are subject to updates based on data dynamics.