Saudi Arabia just made a major move toward becoming a true global financial hub.
Starting February 1, 2026, the Tadawul Stock Exchange will be fully open to global investors. The Capital Market Authority has abolished the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) regime, meaning foreign institutions and individuals can now invest directly in Saudi listed equities—no special approvals, no complex eligibility rules, no indirect swap structures.
This is a big shift.
Previously, access required high AUM thresholds, regulatory vetting, and indirect exposure routes. Now, global investors can trade Saudi stocks directly through licensed local brokers with full ownership rights, voting power, and dividend access.
This reform aligns squarely with Vision 2030:
✔️ Economic diversification
✔️ Capital market deepening
✔️ Global capital attraction
✔️ Reduced oil dependence
Tadawul is already one of the world’s largest stock exchanges by market cap, anchored by giants like Saudi Aramco, major banks, SABIC, and PIF-backed companies. Opening the market structurally changes its global relevance.
Foreign ownership limits remain (49% company cap, 10% per investor), preserving stability while still enabling meaningful international participation.
If regional history is any guide, liberalization tends to drive:
• Higher liquidity
• Deeper market participation
• Stronger global index weighting
• More stable long-term price discovery
This isn’t just a regulatory update — it’s a strategic signal.
Saudi Arabia isn’t just inviting capital in.
It’s positioning Tadawul as a core destination in global emerging market portfolios.
Vision 2030 in motion.
#SaudiArabia #Saudiaramco #stocks