The new regulations reinforce Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating a transparent, investor-friendly real estate environment that attracts high-quality international investment while preserving the cultural and religious significance of Madinah. For the first time, qualified non-Saudi investors have a defined pathway to participate in the long-term growth of one of the world’s most significant cities.

For KEC, the announcement validates the long-term vision upon which the city has been built. Since its inception, Knowledge Economic City has been developed as an integrated destination for knowledge investment, world-class hospitality, and sustainable urban development. The new regulatory framework further strengthens investor confidence in Madinah as a compelling investment destination and provides greater certainty for long-term capital deployment. Commenting on the announcement, Chief Operating Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer Hazem Elbanna said:

“Knowledge Economic City, one of the Madinah zones was built from the start as a destination for institutional investment anchored by hospitality,” COO and acting CEO Hazem Elbanna. The framework, he says, “strengthens confidence in Madinah as a promising investment destination and provides greater certainty for long-term investment.”

Several KEC developments are well positioned to welcome international investors under the new framework, including the Islamic World District, a hospitality-led destination featuring hotels, branded residences, and retail offerings designed to serve Madinah’s year-round visitor economy; Al Alyaa, an established residential community offering homes, educational facilities, and green open spaces for both investors and end-users; and the Hilton-branded residences at Multaqa AlMadinah, an internationally branded mixed-use development.

To support the implementation of the new regulations, KEC is aligning its sales, legal, and customer experience processes to ensure seamless eligibility verification and transaction management in full compliance with the regulatory requirements. These enhancements are designed to deliver a streamlined ownership journey for international investors while maintaining the highest standards of governance and service.

Looking ahead, KEC supports continued regulatory clarity across the designated investment zones and the development of a fully digital ownership journey from investor eligibility through to property registration to further enhance the customer experience and facilitate efficient investment transactions.

As Saudi Arabia continues to advance the objectives of Vision 2030, KEC remains committed to delivering exceptional investment opportunities and creating a globally connected destination that contributes to Madinah’s sustainable economic growth while welcoming qualified investors from around the world.