Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Ericsson announced the inauguration of its new Middle East and Africa regional headquarters in Riyadh, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing role as a regional technology hub.

According to the company’s press release, the launch ceremony drew senior Saudi and Swedish officials alongside Börje Ekholm, Ericsson Group President, and telecom partners stc and Mobily.

The company said the Riyadh base will coordinate strategy, sales, and research for more than 70 markets, advancing projects in 5G, the roadmap to 6G, and other emerging network technologies.

Executives noted that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda—aimed at diversifying the economy through digital innovation—was a decisive factor in selecting the location.

Ericsson highlighted its Gen‑E graduate program, which has trained over 190 Saudi nationals, with half of them being women, since 2018 at the 5G Innovation Hub in the capital. Ongoing collaborations with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) include the “Blink Lab” gaming test‑bed and joint research to accelerate future connectivity use‑cases.

The headquarters is expected to strengthen Ericsson’s long-standing relationships with stc, Mobily, and Zain KSA while attracting additional investment into local R&D. Further expansions in 2025 are expected to support advanced applications ranging from robotics to mixed‑reality services, cementing Saudi Arabia’s status as a digital frontrunner in the region.