94% of CEOs in Saudi Arabia are confident in domestic economic growth, supported by strong non-oil momentum and sustained investment under Vision 2030.
The Kingdom is one of the world’s top 10 destinations for foreign investment.
Long-term growth optimism remains high, with 71% expecting revenue growth over the next three years.
80% of CEOs say their organisation’s culture supports AI adoption, while 65% view innovation as critical to their growth strategies.
73% of CEOs in the Kingdom plan a major acquisition worth more than 10% of their company assets in the next three years, with growing interest in new sectors.
Nearly 70% of CEOs in Saudi Arabia report no difficulty in attracting and retaining talent.
Riyadh – Business leaders in Saudi Arabia are entering 2026 with strong confidence in domestic growth, supported by sustained non-oil momentum, record investment inflows and continued progress under Vision 2030.
Findings from PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey show that, while global uncertainty persists, CEOs in the Kingdom are balancing near-term discipline with long-term ambition, doubling down on innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and strategic acquisitions to build resilient, future-ready organisations.
The survey reveals that 94% of CEOs in Saudi Arabia are confident in domestic economic growth, a marked improvement from last year. It reflects strengthening business sentiment and growing confidence of business leaders in the Kingdom’s long-term economic trajectory. Despite ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic headwinds, Saudi Arabia continues to benefit from sustained public investment, structural reforms and accelerating diversification across priority sectors.
Riyadh Al Najjar, Chairman of the Board & Saudi Country Senior Partner, PwC Middle East, said: “CEOs in Saudi Arabia are entering the next phase of growth with confidence and clarity of purpose. By leveraging the Kingdom’s leading investment capabilities and Vision 2030 growth agenda, business leaders are investing in AI, innovation, and new sectors to build resilient, future-ready organisations. This ambition is rooted in a shared responsibility and immense pride in our nation, and a collective drive to compete and lead globally.”
From near-term discipline to long-term growth
While short-term revenue expectations remain measured, reflecting a cautious operating environment, confidence strengthens markedly over the medium term. 71% of CEOs in Saudi Arabia expect revenue growth over the next three years, well above the global average. This outlook underscores a deliberate shift toward long-term value creation as diversification efforts mature, and non-oil demand continues to scale.
Saudi Arabia’s position as a major global investment destination further reinforces this confidence. Strong foreign direct investment inflows, expanding private-sector activity and a pipeline of large-scale projects across manufacturing, tourism, infrastructure and technology are translating into improved business performance and sustained competitiveness.
AI and innovation embedded at scale
Innovation is increasingly embedded at the core of corporate strategy in the Kingdom. Nearly 65% of CEOs view innovation as critical to their business strategy, with AI playing a central role in reshaping operating models, decision-making, and customer engagement. Eight in ten CEOs believe their organisational culture supports AI adoption, positioning Saudi organisations ahead of many global peers in terms of readiness to scale AI responsibly and effectively.
M&A and cross-sector expansion drive competitive advantage
Confidence in the growth outlook is also reflected in deal activity. 73% of CEOs in Saudi Arabia plan to pursue a major acquisition in 2026, well above global levels. M&A is increasingly being used as a tool to access new capabilities, technologies and markets, as well as to support cross-sector expansion aligned with the Kingdom’s diversification agenda.
In the next three years, 84% of CEOs in the Kingdom anticipate deal value to come from sectors outside their core industry compared to only 63% of their global peers, demonstrating a willingness to rethink traditional business models and capture emerging opportunities across technology, consumer markets, industrials and services.
Technology, media and telecommunications have emerged as leading areas for diversification for CEOs over the next three years.
Strengthening resilience in an uncertain world
For business leaders in Saudi Arabia, geopolitical risk, cyber threats and climate-related challenges remain prominent concerns, driving a stronger focus on cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, and operational agility.
Looking ahead
As Saudi Arabia transitions into its next phase of economic development, the survey highlights a clear leadership agenda: deepening productivity, embedding AI at scale, strengthening talent ecosystems and using M&A as a capability accelerator. CEOs who invest now in innovation, data foundations and resilient operating models will be best positioned to shape the Kingdom’s next decade of growth and reinforce its role as a leading global economic hub.
For the full report and additional insights, visit this link.
