Saudi PIF Launches Company to Develop and Operate Expo 2030 Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has officially launched the Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC). The new entity will be responsible for building, operating, and maintaining all facilities related to Expo 2030 Riyadh, the Kingdom’s first World Expo, while also preserving and transforming its legacy for long-term social and economic impact.

Spanning an impressive 6 million square meters, the Expo 2030 Riyadh site will be among the largest World Expo grounds in history. Strategically located north of Riyadh and adjacent to the upcoming King Salman International Airport, the Expo site will offer seamless connectivity to key city landmarks, positioning it as a new global hub for innovation, culture, and sustainable tourism.

“ERC benefits from PIF’s diverse local and global ecosystem,” said Saad Alkroud, Head of the Local Real Estate Investment Division at PIF. “The establishment of the company aligns with PIF’s local real estate strategy, which drives economic transformation and diversification, advances urban innovation, and enhances quality of life, all guided by the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

A New Global Landmark in the Making

Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to draw over 40 million visits, with both domestic and international audiences contributing to what promises to be a cultural and economic milestone for the Kingdom. Set to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, the Expo is designed not just as a six-month global showcase, but as a long-term investment in Riyadh’s future.

After the event concludes, ERC will spearhead the transformation of the gated Expo site into a multicultural "Global Village", featuring world-class retail, dining, residential, and tourism experiences. The area will host an international residential community and become a hub for sustainable, experience-driven tourism.

Countries participating in the Expo will also have the option to build permanent pavilions, allowing them to leave a lasting footprint and engage in ongoing business and cultural exchange within the site’s legacy framework.

Economic Engine for Vision 2030

The economic impact of Expo 2030 Riyadh is expected to be significant and enduring. PIF estimates that the event and its associated developments will:

• Contribute $64 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP during construction and legacy phases
• Generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs
• Provide an ongoing GDP boost of around $5.6 billion annually once operational

These figures reflect PIF’s broader strategic mandate to catalyze economic diversification while generating sustainable returns. As one of the world’s largest and most influential sovereign wealth funds, PIF continues to be at the center of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, investing in giga-projects, infrastructure, and landmark real estate initiatives that align with national development priorities.

ERC will work closely with both local and international private sector partners in areas including construction, cultural programming, event operations, and long-term commercial development. The collaborative nature of the project underlines Riyadh’s growing reputation as a gateway for international business and a center of innovation, sustainability, and culture.

Having secured hosting rights in November 2024 by winning the first-round vote, Riyadh has since accelerated preparations to ensure a world-class Expo experience that reinforces its status as one of the world’s fastest-transforming capital cities.