LEAP 2026 Concludes with $15 Billion in Investments; Riyadh Gears Up for Next Edition in April 2027
The LEAP 2026 technology conference concluded its four-day run in Riyadh on Thursday, recording investments, announcements, and agreements valued at nearly $15 billion. The event drew wide international participation, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading hub for the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Record-Breaking Edition at Riyadh Front
Held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center in Malham, the conference was organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, Tahaluf, and the Investment Events Fund, under the theme “Into New Worlds.”
Artificial intelligence and infrastructure topped the list of investments and announcements, with partnerships launched by Humain in collaboration with major global tech companies to develop AI data centers, cloud infrastructure, models, and enterprise solutions.
Major Cloud and AI Investments Announced
Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of its first cloud infrastructure region in the Kingdom in December 2026, as part of a planned investment exceeding $5.3 billion. The company also expanded its partnership with Humain to provide up to 50 megawatts of capacity within the Kingdom’s first AI region by 2028.
Other notable announcements included a $1.2 billion investment by Al Moammar Information Systems to expand data centers, an approximately $800 million investment by NHC Innovation to develop “Wadi Khuzam Digital,” and Snowflake’s commitment of $300 million through 2030 to expand its operations in Saudi Arabia.
Tech Manufacturing and Creative AI Initiatives
In the tech manufacturing sector, the conference showcased the first Lenovo laptop manufactured in Riyadh, produced through a partnership with Alat. This reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to localize tech industries, transfer knowledge, and develop national talent.
Adobe announced a commitment exceeding $4 billion as part of expanding its partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Humain. This includes providing AI-powered creative tools free of charge to more than 27 million eligible citizens and residents, as well as developing an generation model that respects Saudi culture and local context.
Venture Capital and Talent Development
Venture capital investments, funding rounds, and announced funds during the conference reached approximately $857 million, aimed at supporting tech and startup companies in sectors such as AI, biotechnology, fintech, and deep tech.
On the capacity-building front, the conference saw the launch of initiatives targeting millions of beneficiaries. These include making Gemini technologies available to over one million university students in Saudi Arabia, a ServiceNow Academy targeting one million learners, and the “Alf for Applied Generative AI” initiative to qualify 100,000 beneficiaries by 2030.
Official Statements and Outlook
Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, stated that the outcomes of the fifth edition reflect the Crown Prince’s support for building a competitive digital economy and cementing the Kingdom’s status as a global hub for technology and AI.
Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, described the 2026 edition as the best since the conference’s inception, noting participation from more than 165 countries, over 1,300 speakers, and more than 1,500 investors managing assets exceeding $18.3 trillion. He also highlighted that the five editions of LEAP have seen deals and announcements worth nearly $60 billion and hosted around 5,000 speakers.
LEAP 2027 Announced
At the conclusion of LEAP 2026, organizers announced that the sixth edition will take place from April 12 to 15, 2027. The upcoming event aims to continue attracting investments, building global partnerships, enabling innovation and talent, and advancing the Kingdom’s leadership in the intelligent age.
