How businesses are redefining sustainability in Saudi Arabia

First appeared on Economy Middle East.

Saudi Arabia is investing in its people today to build a resilient, skilled workforce for tomorrow and local businesses are critical to making it happen. Organisations across the Kingdom are embedding corporate sustainability into business models that create long-term, inclusive impact

As Vision 2030 reminds us, “Our people are our greatest asset.” This principle lies at the heart of the nation’s transformation – where investing in people, from early education to future-focused employment pathways, is central to building long-term resilience. By empowering individuals and strengthening communities, businesses are stepping into a more purposeful role: driving economic success and helping to shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.

By investing in Saudi talent and aligning business models with community needs, companies are redefining what success looks like. Business leaders are paving the way, turning sustainability into practical actions tailored to the Kingdom’s unique needs and opportunities.

With over 60% of the population under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia’s investment in its people begins early and is designed to sustain future generations of national talent. Developing the workforce of tomorrow is central to Vision 2030 and local businesses play a critical role. Beyond internal growth and upskilling their own employees, businesses are actively investing externally in workforce skills, digital readiness and inclusive employment to accelerate localisation and build long-term resilience.

For Saudi-based businesses, this is more than social contribution, it’s a strategic investment in the sustainability of their own operations.

At PwC, for example, our newly hired graduates identified a gap between academia and the professional world. Recognising the expertise and knowledge we could contribute to the community, especially youth, we developed our award-winning programme, ElevateME. This mentorship initiative helps university students bridge the gap between education and employment by offering training in interview preparation, digital skills, workplace readiness and more. Recently, the programme welcomed over 900 students from across the region, equipping the next generation with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Across the Kingdom, other companies are also investing in youth potential through various initiatives. For instance, the Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity and the Award for Academic Excellence inspires youth to step up and reinforces the private sector’s role in nurturing future talent.

There is a collective recognition across the Kingdom that resources are not scarce, but there is a need to build stronger bridges that connect these resources to the communities and markets where they can create real impact. 

Beyond talent development, the private sector is playing a growing role in supporting broader community initiatives. For example, professional services are being offered on a pro bono basis, covering areas such as strategy development, financial frameworks and legal advisory, to help nonprofits and social enterprises working across environmental, educational and social missions strengthen their impact and enhance delivery across the Kingdom.

In addition, women are increasingly shaping the Kingdom’s economic future, not just as employees, but as entrepreneurs and leaders. Companies are investing in their advancement through education, skills development and leadership opportunities. Startups like WAYAKIT are leading the way, demonstrating how inclusive hiring and women’s participation in STEM can drive innovation and national progress.

Corporate sustainability often begins at the top, with founders and business leaders who are personally invested in issues that matter to the society around them. Whether driven by a desire to reduce environmental harm, promote youth employment, or improve public health outcomes, these individual commitments often shape the way sustainability is embedded into a company’s operations and partnerships.

In Saudi Arabia, this values-driven leadership is influencing how businesses approach procurement, strengthen supply chains and make operational decisions day to day. From sourcing locally to building supplier capacity, organisations are aligning operational practices with values that deliver both commercial and societal benefit. In doing so, they are embedding long-term value creation into the Vision 2030 agenda.

Corporate sustainability must be embedded into the fabric of organisational culture. From leadership to frontline teams, Saudi businesses are creating environments where sustainability informs product development, service delivery and employee engagement. It’s about cultivating a shared sense of purpose and business-wide responsibility.

Through internal champions, focused training, and meaningful local partnerships, companies are demonstrating that lasting impact comes from collective responsibility. When sustainability goals are embraced across the organisation, they foster trust, resilience and long-term value.