THE GREEN REVOLUTION IN SAUDI ARABIA: OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS
- Océane Caron
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 30
Long known as an oil giant, Saudi Arabia is now positioning itself as a key player in the Middle East’s green transition. Driven by Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom has launched ambitious projects such as Green Saudi and the Middle East Green Initiative, aiming to green its deserts and cut CO₂ emissions. These initiatives open the door to unprecedented opportunities for international companies in green tech, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy.
Green Saudi Arabia: a colossal project to restore biodiversity
In March 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced Green Saudi and the Middle East Green Initiative, targeting:
Planting 10 billion trees across Saudi Arabia
Reducing global carbon emissions by 4%
The program includes restoring 40 million hectares of degraded land and expanding urban green coverage – Riyadh, for example, plans to increase its greenery from 1.5% to 9%.
Sectors impacted by the green revolution
Renewable Energy
Saudi Vision 2030 targets 50% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030. Projects like the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, the world’s first large-scale green hydrogen plant, illustrate this ambition.
Waste Management & Recycling
The Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) aims to recycle 85% of waste by 2035, creating a multi-billion-dollar market.
Sustainable Agricultural Technologies
Reforestation and agricultural modernization projects require efficient irrigation technologies, natural fertilizers, and cultivation of native drought-resistant plants.
Opportunities for international companies
Key opportunities include:
Supplying green technologies (solar desalination systems, smart grids)
Sustainable agriculture partnerships (agrotech startups, biotechnology firms)
Environmental strategy consulting to support ESG standards implementation
Saudi Arabia offers attractive tax and customs incentives, particularly within Special Economic Zones.
Risks and challenges to anticipate
Before investing, it is critical to assess:
The regulatory maturity of each sector, as laws are still evolving
Regional competition with UAE and Qatar for green investments
Cultural adaptation and local hiring challenges, especially for technical roles requiring Saudi or GCC certifications
Case study: NEOM and green Hydrogen
The NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, in partnership with Air Products and ACWA Power, represents a USD 5 billion investment. It is set to produce 600 tons of green hydrogen per day, avoiding 5 million tons of CO₂ emissions per year.
Saudi Arabia’s Green Revolution is a powerful opportunity for international companies ready to align with Vision 2030. However, success requires deep cultural and regulatory preparation and a strategic local partner to secure market entry effectively.
Do you want to position your company at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s Green Revolution?
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
