Saudi Arabia has launched a new national hub to accelerate industrial transformation and expand the use of advanced manufacturing technologies. The Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center will lead efforts to modernize factories and support the transition to Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) practices.
The center will act as the main platform for smart-manufacturing initiatives, helping Saudi factories enhance productivity and global competitiveness. Its flagship “Factories of the Future” program aims to upgrade more than 4,000 industrial facilities into smart, automated plants powered by advanced digital tools, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef said the initiative is designed to significantly raise the efficiency and competitiveness of the national industrial sector. The center’s work supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting the adoption of artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, and other cutting-edge technologies in existing factories.
Key objectives include improving factory performance, embedding sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, and localizing advanced and deep manufacturing capabilities that were previously imported. The strategy also aims to reduce supply-chain risks, expand export opportunities, strengthen research and development, and build national expertise while attracting high-value industrial investments.
His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef noted that the ministry intends to increase the number of Saudi factories recognized by the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, which highlights global leaders in 4IR adoption. The Kingdom is targeting 14 such factories by 2030, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
To support this transformation, the ministry has allocated an additional 50 participation slots under the 4IR Initiative for factories at the Saudi Industrial Transformation Expo 2025. This program offers Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessments, tailored digital-transformation roadmaps, and implementation support through certified technology partners.
Rapid Industrial Growth and National Strategy
These efforts are unfolding amid rapid growth in the Saudi industrial sector. The number of industrial facilities has increased by more than 65%, rising from about 7,200 factories in 2016 to over 12,000 by 2025, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. Total industrial investment has exceeded SAR 1.2 trillion (around USD 320 billion), while non-oil industrial exports reached SAR 515 billion (about USD 137.5 billion) in 2024, up 13% from the previous year, also according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
All initiatives fall under the National Industrial Strategy launched in 2022, which focuses on 12 key subsectors to diversify the Kingdom’s production base. The strategy identifies 118 priority industrial product groups and outlines more than 800 investment opportunities worth around SAR 1 trillion, according to Asharq Al-Awsat.
Together, these measures position Saudi Arabia to become a leading hub for advanced manufacturing, reinforcing economic diversification and long-term industrial competitiveness.
