As Saudi Arabia and France held the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council and the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable in Paris, their bilateral ties were further cemented by the signing of 21 landmark agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs).
Covering key sectors such as defense, AI, energy, and infrastructure, these $15.7-billion-worth investments unlock a new era of economic partnership between Riyadh and Paris, pairing France’s industrial and technological expertise with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions.
Two High-Level Meetings
State of Play: During a two-day state visit to France, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the first meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, which saw the signing of government-to-government agreements.
Investment Roundtable: The two leaders also attended the Saudi-French Investment Roundtable Meeting, which brought together senior officials, business leaders, and chief executives of major companies and institutions from both countries.
During the meeting, 21 agreements and MoUs were signed between public- and private-sector entities from both countries, covering energy, industry, financial services, transport and logistics, AI, culture, health, and tourism.
Reality Check: Saudi Arabia and France boast strong economic and trade ties, with bilateral trade amounting to nearly $11.8 billion in 2025.
Qiddiya Investments in Paris
Zoom In: Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) signed an MoU to develop a major multi-park destination in Cergy-Pontoise, 30 kilometers northwest of Paris, valued at €6 billion ($7 billion). The destination will feature three theme parks, including one manga-themed attraction, bringing entertainment, leisure, hospitality, culture and sport into a single destination.
Between the Lines: Saudi Arabia boasts a rapidly expanding entertainment sector, featuring 954 entertainment venues and 40 unique global events. QIC is leading this massive boom with its flagship Qiddiya City, including two landmark entertainment attractions: Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia. Under the newly signed MoU, Saudi Arabia will export its giga-project and entertainment expertise to a major European market.
In His Words: “With Saudi Arabia, we are making an unprecedented announcement. In Cergy-Pontoise, 3 theme parks will come to life. 6 billion euros in investments. 22,000 jobs created. Nothing like this has been seen since Disneyland Paris. A new global destination. Here, in France. Thank you to Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia for their trust in our country, in our talents, and in our future.” – Emmanuel Macron, France’s President.
Technology & AI
The Big Picture: Saudi Arabia and France agreed to strengthen cooperation across AI, quantum computing, emerging technologies, and capacity building. The two countries cemented this collaboration with an MoU signed between the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty.
State of Play: Saudi Arabia’s HUMAIN and French AI pioneer Mistral AI announced a strategic partnership spanning AI infrastructure, advanced model development, and the deployment of AI solutions in Saudi Arabia and across the region.
Energy & Supply Chain Resilience
The Baseline: Both Riyadh and Paris have reaffirmed their commitment to the stability of global energy markets, security of supply, and the protection of maritime routes. They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to boost the resilience of supply chains and the sustainability of energy sources.
Furthermore, they emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation across peaceful nuclear energy, clean hydrogen, solar grid integration, energy storage, and emissions reduction.
The Anchor: Saudi Aramco signed agreements totaling over $3.7 billion with French companies to strengthen its supply chain ecosystem, enhance operational continuity and efficiency, advance industrial AI and digital technologies, and deliver economic value to Saudi Arabia and France.
Key Focus Areas:
- Project support
- Capacity building and development
- Technology transfer and innovation
- Supply chain resilience
Defense & Logistics
Defense Cooperation
The Saudi Ministry of Defense and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs adopted a Declaration of Intent to enhance defense cooperation between the two countries. This covers joint armaments production, military education, defense technology, and cybersecurity.
Why It Matters: Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia targets the localization of more than 50% of its military spending by the end of the decade. These efforts are led by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), alongside Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).
Logistics & Maritime Trade
Red Sea Gateway Terminal and CMA CGM signed logistics agreements, valued at $434 million, to develop and operate Terminal 4 at the Red Sea’s Jeddah Islamic Port.
Trade Finance & Healthcare
Financial Framework
The Saudi Ministry of Finance and France’s Bpifrance Assurance Export signed a joint statement establishing a dedicated credit line facility of up to $5 billion. Structured to finance and refinance current and future contracts awarded to French companies, the liquidity framework accelerates Vision 2030 projects in urban infrastructure, transit, and healthcare.
Aviation Financing
Additionally, Saudia Group, Saudi EXIM Bank and Credit Agricole CIB signed an MoU to structure financing for Saudia‘s acquisition of four Airbus aircraft.
Healthcare & Human Capital
Agreements signed during the state visit also prioritized institutional health cooperation. Saudi and French entities finalized MoUs targeting advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, joint biotech research, and medical technology localization, alongside expanded academic exchanges between top Saudi and French research universities.
Cultural & Sports Diplomacy
AlUla Accord Extension
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot signed an agreement extending the strategic intergovernmental partnership for the heritage development of AlUla through 2035. The extension deepens joint work in archaeology, sustainable tourism, and major infrastructure, such as the AlUla Tram and the Jean Nouvel-designed Sharaan Resort.
Sports & Esports Partnership
On the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup (EWC 2026) in Paris, Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a bilateral Sports Cooperation MoU. This MoU establishes a structured framework for joint programs, athletic training, sports medicine, and elite esports development between both nations.
French Commitments for Expo 2030
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Macron formally confirmed France’s active participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh. Both leaders agreed to leverage the mega-event as a primary landmark for deep commercial, technological, and cultural collaboration, mobilizing key public and private stakeholders from both sides.
Saudi-French Investment Ties
The Context: Since 1926, Saudi Arabia and France have maintained robust relations across various fields. Their partnership has expanded amid growing bilateral economic and investment ties.
By the Numbers:
- SAR 63.9 billion ($17.04 billion): French Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in Saudi Arabia as of 2024, representing more than double its 2021 levels.
- SAR 44.2 billion ($11.78 billion): Total bilateral trade value reached between France and Saudi Arabia in 2025.
- SAR 23.9 billion ($6.37 billion): FDI inflows into the Kingdom recorded in Q1 2026, marking a 4% year-on-year increase.
- 651: Number of active investment licenses held by French companies operating in the Kingdom.
- 18: Total economic sectors in Saudi Arabia with an active presence of French companies.
- 4th: France’s rank as a source of foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia.
