Saudi Arabia has appointed Fahad bin Abduljalil Al-Saif as the Kingdom’s new Investment Minister, pursuant to a royal decree issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Al-Saif replaces Khalid Al-Falih, who was appointed as Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers.
Fahad Al-Saif: A Global Finance Veteran at the Helm
Al-Saif boasts a distinguished career in the investment and financial sectors, assuming senior positions in the government and private sectors.
Al-Saif, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, brings over 26 years of experience to his new role.
Drawing from a career in both the public and private sectors, Al-Saif has developed extensive expertise across local and international financial markets, as well as government institutions, specializing in treasury management, investments, and corporate finance.
Public Sector & PIF Leadership
At the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Al-Saif has held pivotal leadership positions, serving as the Head of PIF’s Investment Strategy and Economic Insights Division (ISEID), alongside his role as the Head of Global Capital Finance Division (GCFD).
Within the Fund’s internal governance, he sits on the Management and Investment Committees and also chairs the Management Credit Committee.
Al-Saif’s tenure is marked by global milestones. He spearheaded the development of the PIF Green Finance Framework and secured the fund’s debut credit ratings from international agencies.
He subsequently launched PIF’s first international bond program, which included the issuance of the world’s first 100-year green bond – the first of its kind ever issued by a sovereign wealth fund.
Among other efforts to support PIF and its subsidiaries, Al-Saif worked on diversifying capital sources to finance the fund’s transformative projects across various sectors.
Beyond the PIF, he is a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s regulatory and developmental landscape, serving as a Board Member and Executive Committee Chairman of the Insurance Authority, a member of the Financial Sector Development Program, and a member of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee for the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute.
Private Sector & Board Chairmanships
In the private sector, Al-Saif chairs the boards of several of the region’s most significant entities. He serves as the Board Chairman and Executive Committee Chairman for both AviLease (Aircraft Leasing Company) and Emaar The Economic City (EEC).
His leadership also extends to the banking sector as the Board Chairman of Gulf International Bank (GIB). Additionally, he provides strategic oversight to Saudi Arabia’s Giga-projects and infrastructure landmarks as a Board and Executive Committee member for NEOM and ACWA Power, and as a Board Member for King Salman International Airport Development Company, where he also chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.
His board portfolio is rounded out by roles at the Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (RVCMC) and Gulf Coast Real Estate Development Company.
Past Professional Experience
Al-Saif’s career is rooted in over a decade of high-level banking and civil service. Before his current roles, he was a pivotal figure in Saudi Arabia’s fiscal transformation, serving as an Adviser to the Minister of Finance and as the CEO and Board Member of the National Debt Management Center (NDMC).
His private sector foundation was built at SABB (The Saudi British Bank), where he rose to the position of Deputy Managing Director after holding several leadership roles in Treasury, Risk Advisory, and Global Banking.
His experience is further bolstered by his tenure at HSBC Saudi Arabia, where he served as General Manager and headed both the Corporate Finance and Capital Markets and Debt Capital Management divisions.
