Nour El-Shaeri

RIYADH: Net foreign investments in Saudi Arabia’s capital market rose to SR218 billion ($58.1 billion) in 2024, a 10.1 percent increase over the prior year, highlighting sustained international interest in the Kingdom’s financial system.   

Total foreign ownership in the main market reached SR423 billion, accounting for 11 percent of total free float shares, according to the Capital Market Authority’s annual report. 

The rise reflects sustained global interest in the Kingdom’s financial markets, which have benefited from a series of regulatory reforms and broader efforts to increase market transparency and accessibility.

As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy and position itself as a regional financial hub, with capital market development seen as a key pillar in that strategy. 

The Kingdom also earned international recognition for its capital market performance and reform agenda.   

In the 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook issued by the International Institute for Management Development, Saudi Arabia ranked first among G20 nations in four capital market indicators. 

“The Kingdom ranked first in the Capital Market Index, Stock Market Capitalization Index, Shareholders’ Rights Index, and Venture Capital Index. Overall, Saudi Arabia saw improvements in 8 out of the 12 capital market related indicators included in the report,” the report stated. 

One of the 13 Vision Realization Programs under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is the Financial Sector Development Program, which aims to deepen and enhance the financial industry.  

The program focuses on making the sector more open, transparent, and appealing to both domestic and international investors, directly supporting efforts to increase foreign participation in the Kingdom’s capital markets.  

CMA Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz said the report reflects the significant transformation underway in the capital market and emphasized its strengthened global position.   

He noted that the strategic plan for 2024–2026 is aimed at deepening the market, enhancing liquidity, broadening the investor base, and improving competitiveness — all of which support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.