Saudi Arabia saw a sharp rise in business activity during the second quarter of 2025, issuing over 80,000 new commercial licenses and bringing the total number of active business records close to 1.72 million. This growth was fueled by sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, financial services, insurance, gaming, and entertainment.
These results reflect the country’s ongoing economic transformation under Vision 2030, which focuses on reducing dependence on oil and expanding the private sector. Investments in infrastructure, digital tools, and regulatory reforms are making it easier for entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses.
The Ministry of Commerce highlighted efforts to combat commercial concealment and improve compliance by updating business registration data and increasing market transparency. Riyadh led in new registrations, followed by Makkah, the Eastern Province, Qassim, and Asir.
Recent legislative changes have streamlined the business registration process, allowing companies to operate nationwide under a single commercial record. This aims to cut red tape and enhance the business environment.
Women’s participation continued to grow, with female entrepreneurs making up nearly half of new registrations. Limited liability companies dominated the new business landscape, while partnerships and joint stock companies also saw increased activity.
Technology-driven sectors experienced notable expansion. Registrations for cloud data and analytics rose by nearly 50 percent, and artificial intelligence-related licenses increased by over a third. The franchise sector grew strongly, particularly in food, retail, and services.
Foreign and regional investor interest climbed, with more than 70,000 new registrations from abroad, mostly in real estate and construction. E-commerce showed rapid growth, with over 39,000 active business records by the quarter’s end. The gaming, leisure, and entertainment sectors also saw rising business formation, highlighting the Kingdom’s shift toward a diversified, digitally advanced economy.