Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: LEAP tech conference kicked off its 2026 edition today, with Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, announcing that this year's event would deliver "massive announcements" across the artificial intelligence and technology sectors.
Al-Swaha also indicated that LEAP 2026 would see investment commitments exceeding $15 billion, underscoring the Kingdom's continued push to position itself as a global AI and tech investment hub.
Al-Swaha added that Saudi Arabia has maintained its position among the world’s top countries in digital advancement and technology leadership despite global challenges.
He highlighted the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy by 70%, describing it as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing digital economies.
Al-Swaha also said Saudi Arabia has produced nine unicorn companies, each with a market valuation exceeding $1 billion, with the number continuing to rise.
The Kingdom’s technology workforce has also reached 411,000, which Al-Swaha said would rank Saudi Arabia as the fifth-largest technology hub if compared with the 50 US states.
Meanwhile, women’s participation and empowerment in the technology sector has reached between 35% and 36%, underscoring the sector’s expanding role in creating opportunities and supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
The main stage agenda for Day One, themed "Building the Age of AI, Smart Networks, and Investing in the Future," opened with the minister's keynote, followed by special announcements from HUMAIN under CEO Tareq Amin.
The fifth edition of LEAP 2026 runs from 31 August to 3 September at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, north of Riyadh.
The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 global speakers and experts, 1,800 technology companies, 600 startups and 1,900 investors and venture capital representatives, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a hub for technology and innovation.
The Conference is organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf, backed by Informa and the Events Investment Fund.
