Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom (UK) have a fruitful partnership that is rooted in mutual respect and shared ambitions. The collaboration continues to yield positive results in various sectors, including clean energy, education, sports and healthcare.
According to a UK government official who recently visited Saudi Arabia, both nations are now turning their attention to innovations such as mobile apps, artificial intelligence (AI) and more. There is a strong belief that joining forces and bringing together expertise from both nations will help them benefit from technological advances which are constantly in flux.
Sports, the Creative Economy, and the Case for iGaming
Sports and creative industries are key to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, both in terms of job creation and their contribution to the nation’s GDP.
Saudi’s Vice Minister of Sport, Bader Al-Kadi believes the UK is a model for building a sustainable sports sector. The UK’s sports industry is 90 percent funded by the private sector. Saudi Arabia stands at 15%, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Meanwhile, the creative economy is expected to create over a million jobs in the Kingdom, so it is clear that UK experience could be key in achieving its ambitious goals.
In its push for diversification, the Kingdom could also find valuable lessons in the UK’s thriving iGaming sector. That frontier remains untapped in Saudi Arabia.
Online gambling is prohibited under Saudi law due to religious and cultural beliefs. However, with some neighbouring countries entering the sector, Saudi Arabia risks being left behind.
A legal system that permits operators of Saudi Arabia online casino platforms to offer their services under strict regulatory oversight could unlock new revenue streams.
This would promote tech innovation in app development, digital payments, data security and more.
The UK’s model has allowed the nation’s iGaming sector to flourish, and it has yielded positive results by contributing billions of pounds to the economy.
Such a move would need to be handled delicately, but the UK’s blueprint could convince Saudi Arabia that cultural integrity and economic innovation can coexist.
A Natural Alliance Swinging Towards Innovation and Technology
The UK has built a reputation as a hub of tech advancements and scientific research. That explains why they are keen to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia to foster innovation. UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said as much when he visited the Kingdom. He described both nations as ‘natural partners’ in innovation.
Some people might see that as nothing more than diplomatic flattery, but it is more of an admission of the huge potential of the relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia. The collaboration could fast-track tangible progress, especially in an age where groundbreaking developments in app development, AI and bioengineering are shaking up economies. A joint focus on clean energy and hydrogen technologies has already been set in motion since the Saudi-UK Energy Partnership got off the ground three years ago. This partnership shows how committed both nations are to sustaining the environment and fostering energy security.
In what would undoubtedly be a massive show of faith, the UK is prepared to help the Kingdom build the skills and infrastructure needed to fast-track the growth of its science and tech sectors.
The UK has also shown that they are ready to support the Kingdom’s ambitious goals in biotechnology and robotic healthcare by visiting leading Saudi research institutions. That includes the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Building Human Capital to Boost Diversification
At the 2025 Human Capability Initiative held in Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Qasabi hinted at the establishment of a Saudi-UK Centre of Excellence for Future Skills.
This would serve as a platform where policymakers, educators and business leaders from both nations co-design curricula, policy frameworks and training programmes geared toward future industries. The UK already has several prestigious schools and vocational training systems, so its expertise will be valuable in helping the Kingdom reach its target.
Establishing Saudi-UK vocational academies would be a massive game-changer. It would provide thousands of young Saudis with hands-on experience in app development, information technology (IT) and more. Investing in schemes that foster learning and also prepare attendees for job opportunities is crucial for the Saudis, especially when 65% of the population is under 35.
UK Minister of Early Education Stephen Morgan hit the nail on the head when he emphasised the importance of modern teaching methods and the use of educational technologies.
Data-driven learning platforms are used in the UK. If the Saudis can find a way to incorporate those platforms into their educational system, it would take learning to the next level.