Ericsson has officially inaugurated its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a move that underlines the company’s deepening commitment to the Kingdom and its strategic significance within Ericsson’s Middle East and Africa operations. The occasion attracted a distinguished assembly of senior government officials, industry leaders, and Ericsson executives, including His Excellency Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment; and Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson Group, among others. Their discussions centred on the evolution of network technologies, the trajectory towards 6G, and the transformative ambitions embedded within Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
This headquarters establishment amplifies Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for advanced technology and digital innovation, aligning with its broader national agenda to build a dynamic, innovation-driven digital economy. Dr. Aldubaikhi emphasised that Ericsson’s decision reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a prime destination for global investment in cutting-edge technologies. Meanwhile, Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, highlighted the significance of global partnerships like Ericsson’s in accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and empowering the Kingdom’s national talent pool, thereby advancing the Vision 2030 goals.
Local telecommunications giants stc and Mobily, represented by their CEOs, Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid and Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela respectively, expressed strong support for Ericsson’s expanded regional presence, underscoring the longstanding partnerships and shared commitment to reinforcing digital infrastructure and fostering innovation across the region.
Ericsson’s investment in Riyadh is not merely symbolic but strategically integrated with its ongoing initiatives in the Kingdom. Since 2018, Ericsson’s Gen-E Graduate Programme, housed within the 5G Innovation Hub in Riyadh, has trained over 190 Saudi graduates, evenly split between men and women. This programme focuses on equipping young professionals with technical expertise, particularly in 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, underpinning the Kingdom’s commitment to nurturing a skilled workforce that can drive future digital transformation.
Additionally, Ericsson’s collaboration with academic and research institutions, including King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), signals a strong emphasis on innovation ecosystems. Dr. Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sudairy of KACST noted that projects such as the Blink Lab exemplify joint efforts to pioneer connectivity technologies for use cases requiring ultra-reliable communications, such as gaming and immersive experiences, aligning with Vision 2030’s technology ambitions.
From a regional strategic perspective, the move positions Riyadh as the operational heart of Ericsson’s MENA activities, capitalising on the Kingdom’s investments in digital infrastructure and the burgeoning local talent pool. Ericsson’s expanded presence is expected to bolster collaboration with startups and educational institutions, aiming to drive breakthroughs in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, edge computing, cybersecurity, and smart mobility—areas critical to Saudi Arabia’s planned digital future and landmark projects like NEOM.
Complementing this infrastructural expansion, Ericsson has recently reorganised its Middle East and Africa operations by establishing a new Customer Unit dedicated to Saudi Arabia, led by Håkan Cervell. This restructuring aims to sharpen customer focus, enhance responsiveness, and bolster local market accountability, underscoring Ericsson’s intent to deepen its engagement with Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape.
In summary, Ericsson’s new regional headquarters in Riyadh is a strategic milestone that consolidates the Kingdom’s growing stature as a regional technology and innovation hub. It reflects a multifaceted commitment encompassing infrastructure development, talent cultivation, strong local partnerships, and alignment with national ambitions charted under Vision 2030. This initiative also positions Saudi Arabia as a focal point in Ericsson’s broader Middle East and Africa strategy, signalling a future of intensified digital collaboration and innovation leadership in the region.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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