Ericsson Plants Flag in Riyadh: New Regional Hub to Drive MENA’s Digital Future from Saudi Arabia

More than just a new office, this strategic move represents a pivotal moment in Ericsson ’s journey in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), placing Saudi Arabia at the core of operations. Riyadh isn’t simply where we operate from – it’s where the future of regional connectivity and digital leadership is actively being shaped.

Choosing Saudi Arabia as their regional headquarters reflects an ambitious trajectory towards the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The Kingdom offers geographical centrality, significant investments in robust infrastructure, and an increasingly skilled, diverse talent base. Collectively, these attributes establish Riyadh as a hub for innovation, operations, and regional leadership, setting the stage for economic advancement.

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to digital transformation is not limited to infrastructure but extends into building a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Through giga-projects like NEOM, the Kingdom is pioneering smart urban development, integrating next-generation technologies from the ground up. These projects create opportunities for Ericsson to contribute meaningfully to smart mobility, edge computing, and advanced connectivity use cases. Such initiatives reaffirm Riyadh’s readiness to host a regional headquarters that does more than oversee operations – it drives progress.

This region, home to a plethora of diverse markets, is advancing rapidly through various stages of digital transformation. By positioning themselves in Riyadh, they gain strategic proximity and operational cohesion. The new headquarters facilitate improved coordination across markets, allowing them to efficiently share insights and deploy tailored solutions meeting the unique demands of each sub-region. Whether accelerating 5G adoption in Africa, supporting digital governance initiatives in the Levant, or pioneering smart city solutions across the Gulf, Riyadh provides a central vantage point for harmonizing and executing their expansive vision.

Already, they’ve contributed significantly to the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure, supporting its transition to becoming a global leader in advanced technologies. From pioneering mobile communications in the early days to facilitating the nationwide rollout of 5G today, they are proud of their role in enabling Saudi Arabia’s remarkable achievements. This partnership embodies shared aspirations, which continue to drive groundbreaking innovation.

Beyond infrastructure, their Riyadh office underscores their commitment to local talent development and inclusivity, with 52% of their graduate hires in Saudi Arabia being women.

Their expanded presence in Riyadh will also facilitate stronger collaboration with educational institutions and innovative startups across the region. Through partnerships and joint ventures, they aim to drive breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, IoT applications, cloud computing, and cybersecurity – sectors essential to a digitally resilient future. Ericsson will also engage actively with local universities, offering mentorship programs, internships, and specialized training to equip students with cutting-edge skills necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

By establishing their regional headquarters in Riyadh, they reaffirm their belief in the power of partnership and regional collaboration. This decision empowers them to shape the next era of digital innovation across three continents. Together with their partners across the region, they are not just expanding networks – they are building the digital future from the heart of the region.