The fifth edition of LEAP, 31 August to 3 September, confirms Saudi Arabia as a regional technology hub.
LEAP 2026 closed on 3 September at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre after four days, with announcements, investments and agreements worth nearly USD 15 billion across AI infrastructure, data centres, cloud, technology manufacturing and venture capital.
The role of HUMAIN
The Saudi AI ecosystem led by HUMAIN announced international partnerships, autonomous vehicles and training programmes for local talent: the Kingdom wants to produce technology, not only buy it.
What it means for European companies
The Gulf is today one of the few markets combining available capital, a young population and very high digital penetration. For a well-positioned European brand, entering now costs less than it will in three years.
Our work in the region
We support companies with company formation, free zone selection, local payment methods and last-mile logistics, which in the Gulf follows very different rules from Europe.
Conclusions
Five editions were enough for LEAP to become one of the most attended technology events in the world. It is the clearest signal of how fast the global digital centre of gravity is shifting.
CEO & Co-Founder of BusinessLabs. I have attended major international trade shows since 2015 and share here experiences and insights for online sellers.
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