Saudi Arabia issued 80,000 SME commercial records in Q2 2025 according to a SME Monitor report published by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at). Accordingly, SME totals reached 1.7 million, with figures showing women owned 47% of total SME`s while youth recorded 38%. The figures underline the growing leadership role of women in entrepreneurship and directly reflects the recent reforms in the Kingdom.
Riyadh Region Most Popular Place To Set Up Business
In terms of location of recently launched SME`s, the Riyadh Region topped new registrations with 28,181 records or 35.2%. Makkah followed with 14,498 records (18.1%), then the Eastern Region with 12,985 records (16.2%) and then Qassim with 4,920 (6.2%). The remaining regions accounted for 19,416 records (24.3%). Further data suggests investment opportunities in the education sector are estimated at over SAR 50 billion (USD 13.3 billion) by 2030. Accordingly, SME`s account for 98% of educational establishments, with women owning 39.4%.
Kingdom`s SME Enablement Programmes Continuing To Expand
Importantly, SME enablement programmes have also continued to expand. In Q2 2025, 3,175 SMEs benefited from the Tomoh Program, with many later listed on the parallel market (Nomu). Furthermore, the Kafalah Programme, has now delivered SAR 121 billion (USD 32.3 billion) worth of products and initiatives by the end of Q2 2025. Guarantees provided under the programme exceeded SAR 86.8 billion (USD 23.2 billion), supporting 26,095 establishments across 12 financing schemes. Total funding is projected to exceed SAR 3.75 billion (USD 1 billion) by the end of 2025. The report also underlined Riyadh’s role as a pivotal economic hub, contributing around 50% of the Kingdoms non-oil GDP. Notably, over 600 international companies have established regional headquarters in Riyadh under the government’s headquarters programme. The SME Monitor report forms a quarterly series providing investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs with accurate data on Saudi’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and future prospects.
Setting Up Business In Saudi Arabia? We Are Your Support!
Soutien Group is part of a network of consultants, partners and investors. Our clients are corporate, private and international with an interest in exploring new markets. We can offer expertise in Market Research and Assessment Saudi, Saudi Business Case, Saudi Business Model Development. Feasibility Study and Business Plan Saudi, Organizational and Operational Structuring Saudi, Saudi Sponsorship and Partnership, Company Formation Saudi among others.
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