Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key destination for global business schools, with executive education gaining momentum due to strong demand from both government and private sector leaders.
Institutions such as Spain’s Iese have seen a notable increase in Middle Eastern participation, particularly from Saudi Arabia, as organizations prioritize leadership development. London Business School is establishing a presence in Riyadh, with ambitious plans to train thousands of Saudi executives by the end of the decade. Major companies like Aramco and the Public Investment Fund are already among its clients.
Babson College entered the Saudi market early, collaborating with local partners to launch a business school and now offering its own MBA programs. Spain’s IE Business School is also preparing to open a Riyadh branch, noting the region’s rapid growth and expanding corporate interest in executive education.
This trend is largely driven by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasizes modernization and enhanced leadership standards across various sectors. As a result, more professionals are opting for local executive programs, attracted by lower costs and customized content.
Business schools are also diversifying their offerings. Oxford’s Smith School, for example, is seeing increased demand for courses on sustainability, including subjects like carbon capture and climate resilience.
According to education leaders, the priorities in Saudi Arabia—digital transformation, agile leadership, and innovation—reflect broader global trends in executive training.