T
he King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh is one of the largest existing projects in Saudi Arabia, and it's a unique hub for finance, banking, and other service institutions. It will eventually house around 1.6 million professionals, including financial advisors, analysts, and lawyers.

    I recently visited Saudi Arabia to speak at LEAP, a technology conference that was a revelation for me. The country is rapidly changing, and I'm not just talking about the tech scene. Saudi Arabia's diversity is often overlooked, but it's vast - think of the difference between Syria and Qatar.

    As someone who's always on the lookout for emerging trends, I was intrigued by what I saw at LEAP. The party is indeed in Saudi, and it's not just about crypto or tech. It's about a country that's opening up to new opportunities.

    One of those opportunities is foreign ownership of real estate. Starting January 1, 2026, non-Saudis will be able to buy property in Riyadh and Jeddah, mirroring Dubai's model. This means big developers will launch marquee projects with all the marketing glitz we've come to expect. It's a formula that has worked well in the UAE, and Saudi Arabia seems poised to follow suit.

    I'm not an investment advisor, but I do offer thoughts for readers to reflect on. If you're interested in property, January 1, 2026 is when the doors open in Saudi Arabia. Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements about what this will look like in practice. It's always better to hear about opportunities before they happen than to find out after they've passed.