Ericsson has officially opened its new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This move signifies Ericsson’s commitment to the Kingdom and its role in the company’s Middle East and Africa operations.
The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Eng. Haytham AlOhali, Vice Minister at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology; Dr. Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA); Petra Menander, Swedish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson Group; and Patrick Johansson, President of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Ericsson. Also present were Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, CEO of stc Group, and Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, CEO of Mobily. Discussions at the event covered the evolution of network technologies, the roadmap to 6G, and the influence of Vision 2030 on innovation strategies.
Dr. Abdullah A. Aldubaikhi, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), stated, “The establishment of Ericsson’s regional headquarters in Riyadh reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading destination for global investment in advanced technologies. It also aligns with our national ambition to build a dynamic digital economy and foster innovation-led growth. We look forward to continued collaboration with global partners like Ericsson to unlock new opportunities and enable sustainable, technology-driven development across the region.”
Eng. Abdulrahman AlMufadda, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Telecom and Digital Infrastructure, commented, “This milestone reflects the confidence that global companies have in the Kingdom and underscores its growing status as a regional hub for technology and innovation. We thank Ericsson for its strategic partnership and for strengthening its regional presence through Riyadh, which serves as a center for technology and innovation in the region. This strategic presence contributes to realizing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by empowering national talent, advancing technological innovation and artificial intelligence, and building a knowledge-based digital economy. In this context, global partnerships are a key driver of progress, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and shaping a more connected and sustainable future.”
Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, CEO of stc group, noted, “Ericsson’s new regional headquarters in Riyadh represents an important step for us at stc, as the region’s digital enabler, in strengthening digital infrastructure, innovation, and digitization across the region. This move reflects the long-standing partnership with Ericsson, and we highly value its contributions to the development of emerging technologies and digital infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to deliver world-class connectivity and unlock new horizons for growth and innovation.”
Eng. Nezar H. Banabeela, CEO of Mobily, said, “The inauguration of Ericsson’s regional headquarters in Riyadh highlights the Kingdom’s global leadership in the digital transformation. At Mobily, we are proud of our strong and long-standing partnership with Ericsson, built on a shared vision to enhance the efficiency of digital infrastructure and strengthen its role in positioning the Kingdom as a regional digital hub for technology and innovation.”
Dr. Talal bin Ahmed Al-Sudairy, Senior Vice President for Research and Development at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, stated, “The partnership between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Ericsson reflects our shared commitment to driving innovation and developing advanced connectivity solutions in the Kingdom. The opening of Ericsson’s new regional headquarters marks an important step in strengthening this collaboration. Joint initiatives, such as the Blink Lab, contribute to accelerating the development of future connectivity technologies and use cases that require ultra-reliable communication such as gaming and immersive experiences and supporting local innovation ecosystems in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented, “The establishment of our new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in Riyadh strengthens our presence in the region. This is a pivotal step in our journey to support digital growth, innovation, and collaboration. The new headquarters will also enable us to further deepen our close partnerships with customers and partners, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, and build a more connected future.”
Ericsson has been involved in the development of Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications sector, including mobile infrastructure expansion, 5G adoption, and digital transformation. The Ericsson Gen-E Graduate Program, hosted at the 5G Innovation Hub in Riyadh since 2018, has developed over 190 Saudi graduates, with women making up 50 percent of the participants. This program provides training in Ericsson’s technologies, tools, and methodologies , and has contributed to the development of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) use cases in sectors like robotics, 5G edge computing, and mixed reality monitoring and control.
Ericsson has collaborated with stc, Mobily, Zain KSA, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) on research and innovation initiatives. In 2024, Ericsson and KACST partnered to establish the “Blink Lab,” an advanced connectivity lab for gaming featuring a private 5G network. An R&D collaboration between Ericsson and KAUST focuses on advancing 5G and 6G in the Kingdom. These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by strengthening the Kingdom’s digital ecosystem and accelerating technology adoption.
