Saudi Arabia’s Ataa Educational Company has signed a SAR 200M banking facility with Alinma Bank, with a 10-year term, to finance the acquisition of existing education complexes and the construction of new ones.
According to the announcement, the facility will give Ataa greater capacity to pursue acquisitions aligned with its expansion strategy in the education sector.
The company reported net profit of SAR 88.6M for the nine months ended April 2026, up 11%. Education-sector revenue increased 3%, supported partly by higher fees at some complexes. Student numbers, however, fell about 3% in the first half to 43,700, pointing to higher average revenue per student despite lower enrollment.
The announcement comes as private education in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh, faces shifting demand. Changes to education allowance policies at some government bodies and large companies have contributed to students moving from private to public schools, increasing competition around discounts, early offers and payment plans.
It also noted ongoing changes in public education under privatization programs. These pressures could accelerate consolidation among independent schools, especially those operating in leased or unsuitable buildings, and increase demand for larger platforms with the capital and infrastructure to improve efficiency and occupancy.
Source: LinkedIn
