Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 8, 2024: Apple has announced plans to expand its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of the online Apple Store in the summer of 2025. The online store will provide customers across the Kingdom access to Apple’s full range of products and services, including support in Arabic for the first time.

Starting in 2026, Apple plans to open the first of several flagship Apple Store locations in Saudi Arabia, offering customers new ways to engage with Apple’s knowledgeable team members and find the perfect products and services. As part of these plans, Apple is in the initial stages of planning an iconic retail store in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In an official press release, Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, shared his excitement about the expansion: “We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later.”

“Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers, and to bringing the best of Apple to help people across this country explore their passions, build their businesses, and take their ideas to the next level,” he added.

Apple’s retail expansion builds on its ongoing investments in the Kingdom. Since 2021, the company has operated the region’s first Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and the government of Saudi Arabia. The all-women academy has trained nearly 2,000 students, preparing them for careers in app development and publishing their apps on the App Store for audiences worldwide.

In 2024, Apple hosted Saudi Arabia’s first coed Apple Foundation Program, a monthlong course teaching students coding and app development, with a focus on gaming. The program will continue in 2025, offering even more learning opportunities for aspiring developers.

The app economy in Saudi Arabia is thriving, with developer earnings growing by more than 1,750% since 2019. Apple’s tools and global App Store ecosystem support developers and businesses across the country, contributing to this rapid growth.

Apple’s impact extends to daily conveniences as well. With the opening of the new metro earlier this month, Riyadh is the latest to join the list of over 250 cities where users can ride transit with Apple Pay. Riyadh is also the first city in the Middle East to adopt Apple Pay’s Express Mode, which enables users to pay for metro and bus rides with a simple tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch, adding a layer of convenience and security for commuters.

Over the past five years, Apple has invested more than SAR 10 billion with companies in Saudi Arabia, spurring job creation and innovation. The company’s continued efforts aim to empower local talent and support entrepreneurs, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification and technological growth.

With these new plans, Apple is set to deepen its connections with Saudi customers while bringing new opportunities to developers and businesses across the country. The upcoming launch of the Apple Store online in 2025 and flagship retail stores in 2026 marks an exciting next step for Apple’s journey in the Kingdom.