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Saudi's New Murabba plans investment opportunities in technology, real estate, CEO says

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 14:18 GMT by reuters.com
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Saudi’s New Murabba Project: A Blueprint for Diversification, Tech and Real‑Estate Growth

In a high‑profile announcement on October 26, 2025, Saudi Arabia unveiled the Murabba master plan, a flagship initiative that seeks to reposition the kingdom as a global hub for technology, innovation and real‑estate development. The initiative, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, outlines a $200 billion investment programme aimed at creating thousands of jobs, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and accelerating the country’s transition away from an oil‑centric economy.

The Vision Behind Murabba

Murabba is part of the broader Vision 2030 strategy, a set of reforms designed to diversify the Saudi economy, reduce dependence on hydrocarbon revenues and broaden the public‑sector footprint. The new development is positioned in the heart of Riyadh, covering an area roughly equivalent to 30 square kilometres. It will comprise mixed‑use zones—including commercial, residential, educational, and cultural precincts—alongside state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer Amal Al‑Hamad, head of the Murabba Development Authority, framed the project as “an ecosystem where innovation meets real‑estate value creation.” She highlighted the strategic alignment of the initiative with the kingdom’s broader digital transformation agenda, noting that the plan would incorporate 5G networks, AI‑driven utilities, and smart‑city platforms to support an emerging knowledge economy.

Investment Opportunities in Technology

One of the central pillars of the Murabba plan is the creation of a high‑tech district, earmarked for cutting‑edge firms in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, fintech, and data analytics. Al‑Hamad indicated that the district would provide fully integrated data centres, research laboratories, and a shared‑services hub that could host up to 30,000 tech employees.

The government is offering a mix of incentives, including tax exemptions for up to ten years, streamlined licensing processes, and dedicated FDI visas. The initiative also seeks to foster joint ventures between Saudi state entities and multinational technology conglomerates. “We are particularly interested in partnerships with firms that can contribute to building a resilient digital infrastructure and upskilling the local workforce,” Al‑Hamad added.

Real‑Estate Development and Urban Planning

Murabba’s real‑estate agenda is equally ambitious. The plan calls for the construction of over 70,000 residential units, ranging from luxury apartments to affordable housing, designed to accommodate a growing population and the influx of expatriate talent. Commercial real‑estate developers will have the opportunity to build high‑rise office towers and mixed‑use complexes featuring retail, hospitality, and leisure amenities.

Key infrastructural features include a dedicated public‑transport corridor, an elevated metro line, and a network of pedestrian and cycling paths. The authority is also investing in green spaces and sustainable design elements, with a target that 30 % of new buildings meet LEED Gold or equivalent standards.

Financing the Initiative

To finance Murabba, the Saudi government has outlined a dual‑channel approach. Firstly, it will issue sovereign bonds in both local and international markets, targeting institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds. Secondly, the Murabba Development Authority will partner with private‑sector developers through public‑private partnership (PPP) models. The authority will provide up to 40 % of the initial capital for selected projects, with the remainder to be supplied by private developers and investors.

The government has also signalled its willingness to create a dedicated investment fund, Murabba Ventures, which will pool capital from sovereign wealth entities such as the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and attract foreign investors through a simplified subscription process. The fund will focus on early‑stage tech startups and real‑estate projects with high growth potential.

Policy and Regulatory Support

Al‑Hamad noted that the Murabba plan will be accompanied by an updated legal framework designed to simplify property ownership for foreign investors. In 2024, the Saudi government already eased restrictions on foreign ownership of commercial real‑estate, allowing non‑Saudi entities to hold up to 100 % of a property in certain zones. The Murabba zone will be an extension of this policy, with additional incentives for technology companies, such as reduced import duties on equipment and preferential access to the kingdom’s broadband network.

Furthermore, the plan includes a regulatory sandbox for fintech firms, permitting them to test products in a controlled environment before scaling. This initiative dovetails with the kingdom’s broader objective to become a global fintech hub, as outlined in the 2024 Digital Saudi white paper.

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Outlook

During the launch event, Al‑Hamad opened a dialogue with a diverse group of stakeholders, ranging from domestic real‑estate developers and multinational tech firms to local entrepreneurs and university research groups. She emphasized the need for collaborative innovation and reiterated that the Murabba plan would serve as a platform for cross‑sector partnerships.

The CEO highlighted several pilot projects already underway, including a data‑center prototype in partnership with a European telecom giant and a mixed‑use development with a South‑East Asian property developer. These pilots aim to showcase the feasibility of the planned infrastructure and provide early revenue streams.

Looking ahead, the Murabba plan is slated to reach full operational status by 2030, with incremental milestones set for 2027, 2028, and 2029. The authority intends to track progress through a set of performance indicators, including job creation, FDI inflows, and real‑estate transaction volumes.

Conclusion

The Murabba initiative marks a decisive step in Saudi Arabia’s quest to modernize its economy and expand its global influence. By creating a concentrated hub that blends technology innovation with real‑estate development, the plan offers a compelling investment proposition for both domestic and international stakeholders. If the ambitious targets are met, Murabba could become a blueprint for similar mixed‑use, high‑tech developments across the Gulf region and beyond.