The third day of LEAP 2026 in Riyadh saw a wave of new investment announcements and expansions across Saudi Arabia’s technology ecosystem. These included digital infrastructure projects, data centers, specialized AI funds, and startup financing, underscoring growing investor confidence in the Kingdom’s digital economy.
Major Data Center Project Announced
NHC Innovation unveiled the ‘Khuzam Digital Valley’ data center project, with total investments reaching SAR 3.3 billion. The project will be developed in multiple phases, with NAVER Innovation and BytePlus joining as the first two anchor clients.
Eng. Ryan Al-Aql, CEO of NHC Innovation, stated that LEAP 2026 brings together the global tech community at a time when Saudi Arabia is accelerating its ambitions in AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. He explained that the Khuzam Digital Valley project aims to provide the necessary digital foundations to meet the growing demand for advanced technologies and create an environment that brings together global tech partners, companies, and innovators.
AWS to Launch First Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia
In a sign of the scale of global investments in the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure, AWS is preparing to launch its first cloud region in Saudi Arabia this December, backed by investments exceeding $5.3 billion (approximately SAR 19.9 billion).
Focus on Mobility and Smart Solutions
The conference also highlighted investment opportunities in the mobility sector during a session titled ‘Investing in the Future of Mobility.’ Discussions covered growing opportunities in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, connected infrastructure, and smart logistics solutions.
Participants emphasized the importance of directing investments toward technologies that can address operational challenges and provide clear commercial growth opportunities. They also stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between investors, tech companies, operators, and the public sector to scale the deployment of modern solutions.
AI Investments and Strategic Partnerships
In the AI sector, Foras AI, a platform specializing in AI investments in the Middle East and North Africa, announced investments and a merger and acquisition initiative worth $20 million (approximately SAR 75 million). The initiative aims to support and acquire AI companies in the region.
Additionally, the Digital Government Authority and STV announced a strategic partnership to accelerate innovation in digital government services and AI. The collaboration will support startups and evaluate investment opportunities through STV’s fund focused on AI and emerging technologies. The Authority will provide government use cases, an innovation testing environment, procurement opportunities, and pathways for regulation and financing.
Gaming and Digital Hospitality Sectors Gain Momentum
Investments also extended to the gaming sector, with conference sessions focusing on developing local talent and skills as a foundation for building a globally competitive Saudi gaming industry. Emphasis was placed on adapting international experiences to the local market’s unique characteristics.
In digital hospitality, the platform estaie announced a seed funding round of $5.2 million (approximately SAR 19.5 million) to accelerate its expansion in the Saudi market, leveraging AI technologies for pricing, inventory management, and booking experiences.
Industry Leaders Highlight Growing Confidence
Annabel Mander, Senior Vice President at LEAP and co-founder of the conference, noted that the investments announced on day three reflect growing confidence in the opportunities Saudi Arabia offers. She pointed out that the new commitments span digital infrastructure, AI, startup growth, and global partnerships, reinforcing LEAP’s role as a platform that brings together tech leaders, investors, and innovators to turn ambitions into tangible steps.