The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has showcased its monumental ambitions for the real estate sector at the Cityscape Global 2025 exhibition, with a staggering SAR 161 billion in property deals and agreements signed within the first two days alone. The announcements, delivered by Minister of Housing Majed Al-Hogail, signal a major push towards transparency, technology, and foreign investment in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.
Pioneering Transparency with Digital Identities and New Indices
In a landmark move, the Kingdom is developing the world’s first global standards for the tokenization of real estate properties. This initiative aims to create a distinct “digital identity” for every property, revolutionizing ownership and transaction processes. The technical specifications for these standards are expected to be released by early 2026.
To further enhance market clarity, Minister Al-Hogail announced the upcoming launch of three new real estate indices, which will be made publicly available next year. These measures are designed to create a more transparent and accessible market for both local and international stakeholders.
Surge in Real Estate Financing and Homeownership
The domestic real estate financing environment has reached a new level of maturity, with total property loans surpassing the SAR 960 billion mark. This growth has directly contributed to a significant rise in homeownership among Saudi nationals, which now stands at over 65%. The minister highlighted that the financing ecosystem is robust, paving the way for promising future opportunities within the sector.
The Rise of Proptech and Smart Cities
Proptech, particularly artificial intelligence, is rapidly transforming the industry’s landscape by reshaping investment strategies and enhancing customer experiences. Saudi Arabia is actively positioning itself among the world’s most advanced nations in building smart cities and a modern, diversified economy, with real estate technology playing a central role in this vision.
Attracting Foreign Investment
Foreign investment has become a critical component of the sector’s growth, accounting for 15% of the total capital inflows this year. Minister Al-Hogail emphasized that recent updates to the foreign ownership regulations have significantly boosted market confidence and openness. He confirmed that the current framework is sufficient and that no additional regulatory measures are needed at this time, providing stability for international investors.
About Cityscape Global
Cityscape Global is the largest and most influential real estate exhibition and summit in the world. Hosted in Riyadh, the event brings together industry leaders, investors, developers, and government officials to showcase groundbreaking projects and discuss the future of the urban landscape. It serves as a national platform reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for a transparent, innovative, and globally competitive real estate sector.
Source: Jawlah
