Saudi Aramco signs deals with French firms worth over $3.7bn

In 2024, French direct foreign investment in Saudi Arabia reached €16.3 billion, more than doubling from the previous year and positioning France as the Kingdom's fourth-largest investor. French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Saudi Arabia in 2025 further bolstered bilateral relations. During the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable in Paris, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Investment, French Investment Minister Fahad Al-Saif emphasized the deep alignment between French expertise in technology, industry, finance and innovation and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals.

The roundtable brought together government officials, business leaders and CEOs to explore investment opportunities and deepen private-sector partnerships. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has transformed the economy, boosting GDP by 85% since 2017 to reach €1.1 trillion, with non-oil activities now accounting for over half of GDP. FDI inflows in Q1 2026 increased by 2.4% year-on-year to SR23.9 billion.

French companies are expanding operations in energy, financial services, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, gaming and tourism. Saudi-French cooperation in oil and gas extends to conventional energy and petrochemicals, while French companies have established a strong presence in Saudi Arabia's green energy transition.

Financial services, including the opening of the Main Market to all foreign investors, present another major area for cooperation. The gaming and esports industry in Saudi Arabia also offers significant investment potential, with average revenue per player about 7% above the global average. Saudi Arabia's Regional Headquarters Program, which has attracted more than 750 companies, including 39 French firms, further strengthens the Kingdom's appeal as an investment destination.

Economic ties between France and Saudi Arabia have continued to grow, with bilateral trade reaching SR44.2 billion in 2025.