By: Patrick Johansson, President of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa
With the inauguration of our new regional headquarters in Riyadh, Ericsson is deepening its commitment to a region rapidly becoming one of the most digitally ambitious in the world.
More than just a new office, this strategic move represents a pivotal moment in Ericsson’s journey in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), placing Saudi Arabia at the core of operations. Riyadh isn’t simply where we operate from – it’s where the future of regional connectivity and digital leadership is actively being shaped.
Choosing Saudi Arabia as our regional headquarters reflects an ambitious trajectory towards the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. The Kingdom offers geographical centrality, significant investments in robust infrastructure, and an increasingly skilled, diverse talent base. Collectively, these attributes establish Riyadh as a hub for innovation, operations, and regional leadership, setting the stage for economic advancement.
Saudi Arabia's commitment to digital transformation is not limited to infrastructure but extends into building a dynamic innovation ecosystem. Through giga-projects like NEOM, the Kingdom is pioneering smart urban development, integrating next-generation technologies from the ground up. These projects create opportunities for Ericsson to contribute meaningfully to smart mobility, edge computing, and advanced connectivity use cases. Such initiatives reaffirm Riyadh's readiness to host a regional headquarters that does more than oversee operations – it drives progress.
This region, home to plethora of diverse markets, is advancing rapidly through various stages of digital transformation. By positioning ourselves in Riyadh, we gain strategic proximity and operational cohesion. The new headquarters facilitate improved coordination across markets, allowing us to efficiently share insights and deploy tailored solutions meeting the unique demands of each sub-region. Whether accelerating 5G adoption in Africa, supporting digital governance initiatives in the Levant, or pioneering smart city solutions across the Gulf, Riyadh provides a central vantage point for harmonizing and executing our expansive vision.
Already, we’ve contributed significantly to the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure, supporting its transition to becoming a global leader in advanced technologies. From pioneering mobile communications in the early days to facilitating the nationwide rollout of 5G today, we are proud of our role in enabling Saudi Arabia's remarkable achievements. This partnership embodies shared aspirations, which continue to drive groundbreaking innovation.
Beyond infrastructure, our Riyadh office underscores our commitment to local talent development and inclusivity, with 52% of our graduate hires in Saudi Arabia being women.
Our expanded presence in Riyadh will also facilitate stronger collaboration with educational institutions and innovative startups across the region. Through partnerships and joint ventures, we aim to drive breakthroughs in areas such as artificial intelligence, IoT applications, cloud computing, and cybersecurity – sectors essential to a digitally resilient future. Ericsson will also engage actively with local universities, offering mentorship programs, internships, and specialized training to equip students with cutting-edge skills necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
By establishing our regional headquarters in Riyadh, we reaffirm our belief in the power of partnership and regional collaboration. This decision empowers us to shape the next era of digital innovation across three continents. Together with our partners across the region, we are not just expanding networks – we are building the digital future from the heart of the region.
