Two days ago, Apple outlined its plans to establish a stronger presence in Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of its online store in summer 2025. The expansion marks the first time Saudi customers will have direct access to Apple's complete product lineup with Arabic-language support.
According to Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, the company will begin opening physical retail locations across Saudi Arabia in 2026, including what he described as "an iconic store" at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diriyah. The expansion builds upon Apple's existing investments in the region, which have already exceeded 10 billion SAR (Saudi Riyal) over the past five years.
The retail expansion follows the success of Apple's educational initiatives in the country. According to Apple, the company's Developer Academy in Riyadh, which opened in 2021, has already trained nearly 2,000 students who have completed programming courses. The academy, established in partnership with the Saudi government, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, operates as an all-women facility at the university campus.
The impact of Apple's developer programs in Saudi Arabia is reflected in the significant growth of the iOS app economy. According to company data, developer earnings in Saudi Arabia have increased by more than 1,750 percent since 2019, indicating substantial growth in the local digital ecosystem.
In addition to its retail and educational initiatives, Apple has recently expanded its services in the region. Earlier this month, Riyadh became the first city in the Middle East to implement Express Mode for Apple Pay on its public transportation system. This feature allows users to pay for metro and bus rides by simply holding their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader, without needing to wake or unlock their device.
The timing of Apple's expansion aligns with broader digital transformation initiatives in Saudi Arabia. The company's investment in physical retail locations, starting in 2026, will provide Saudi customers with direct access to Apple's full range of products and services, including personalized support from trained team members.
The educational component of Apple's presence in Saudi Arabia continues to grow. This summer, the company launched its first coed Apple Foundation Program, a month-long course focusing on coding and app development with an emphasis on gaming. According to the announcement, the next cohort is scheduled for spring 2025, indicating Apple's commitment to expanding educational opportunities in the region.
Apple's retail strategy in Saudi Arabia will mirror its global approach to customer service. The company plans to offer personalized shopping experiences both online and in-store, including product comparisons, financing options, and device setup assistance. The online store, launching in summer 2025, will provide these services in Arabic, marking a significant milestone for Apple's presence in the country.
The announced flagship store in Diriyah holds particular significance due to the location's UNESCO World Heritage status. While specific details about the store's design have not been released, Apple's retail locations in historical sites typically incorporate elements that respect and celebrate local architectural heritage while maintaining the company's distinctive retail design language.
The expansion into Saudi Arabia represents a substantial commercial commitment. Apple's investment of over 10 billion SAR in the past five years has contributed to job creation and technological advancement across various sectors, from small businesses to public transportation.
The integration of Apple Pay with Riyadh's new metro system places the Saudi capital among more than 250 cities globally where Apple's payment system works with public transit. The implementation of Express Mode technology represents a significant advancement in the region's digital payment infrastructure.
Looking at the educational impact, the Apple Developer Academy's success in training nearly 2,000 students since its 2021 opening has contributed to the growth of the local app development ecosystem. These graduates join an expanding community of developers and entrepreneurs utilizing the App Store and Apple's development tools to create applications for both local and international markets.
For the Saudi market, this expansion signifies increased access to Apple's ecosystem of products and services. The planned retail locations will provide hands-on experience with devices and direct access to technical support, while the Arabic-language online store will make Apple's full product range available to customers across the country starting next summer.
The timing of the online store launch in summer 2025, followed by physical retail locations in 2026, suggests a phased approach to establishing Apple's retail presence in the country, building upon the foundation of its existing educational and developmental initiatives in the region.