SDB Strengthens Support for the E-Gaming and Esports Sector by Expanding Financing Portfolios to reach over 1.350 billion Riyals Through Strategic Agreements During LEAP 2025
In line with its commitment to advancing the digital economy and supporting the goals of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES) initiated by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, the Social Development Bank (SDB), in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and under the supervision of the National Development Fund (NDF), has announced a significant increase in its financing portfolio from SAR 300 million to SAR 458 million, reflecting a 53% growth.
This expanded portfolio has already benefitted over 30 clients involved in diverse activities, including Esports clubs, game development, game publishing, and Esports gaming centers.
In this context, SDB has signed financing agreements worth a total of SAR 70 million, reaffirming its commitment to supporting promising sectors, particularly the gaming and Esports industry. The agreements include financing for Lobah Digital for Information Technology Company with SAR 45 million to support the development of innovative digital games and funding of SAR 25 million for Virtual Reality Solutions Company to enhance the production of PCs gaming.
Additionally, SDB has reinforced its support for the technology sector by increasing the budget of its financing portfolio, which is managed in collaboration with the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), to SAR 898 million.
This move reflects SDB’s commitment to fostering the growth of the technology sector and increasing investments in modern technological solutions. SDB has also signed financing contracts exceeding SAR 10 million, including SAR 7.6 million for Hawsabah Company and SAR 2.5 million for Sahab Global Technology Company, aiming to enable tech firms to drive further innovation and expansion.
On the digital transformation front, SDB has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to leverage cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities. This collaboration will involve the use of the Azure platform to develop advanced analytics and data management solutions, enhancing the bank’s operational efficiency and supporting its efforts to offer innovative financial solutions for entrepreneurs. The partnership will also strengthen SDB’s digital infrastructure and improve its technological services to support the financial and entrepreneurship sectors.
As part of its continuous efforts in improving services, SDB has also signed an agreement with Informatica to exchange expertise in utilizing advanced technology tools for data management and governance. This collaboration aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve institutional performance.
Furthermore, under SDB’s initiative with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) through the Empretec program—a global initiative focused on entrepreneurial capacity-building for startups and small businesses—SDB participated in a panel discussion at LEAP 2025 titled “The Tech Future of Entrepreneurship – Empretec: Exploring Promising Sectors.” The session highlighted digital transformations in the entrepreneurship sector and the opportunities available for startups to leverage modern technologies for business development.
In addition, SDB facilitated the participation of productive families at LEAP 2025 through 20 sales outlets, allowing them to showcase and sell their products to attendees. This initiative aims to empower productive families by enhancing their market access, bridging them toward entrepreneurship, and highlighting Saudi heritage.
SDB is considered as one of the leading entities supporting promising sectors in the Kingdom through sustainable strategies that reinforce the national economy and position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for the E-gaming and modern technology industries.
