Nelson Advisors week in Riyadh at the Global Health Exhibition 2025

The Global Health Exhibition 2025 in Riyadh was a landmark event, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a healthcare innovation hub and featuring major investment announcements, digital health breakthroughs, and global partnerships.

Major Agreements and Investments

Over $33 billion in healthcare agreements were announced, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in health sector investment.​

Key hospital and infrastructure projects included $8.4 billion worth of new health facilities and expansions, such as Hayat National Hospitals’ $1.86 billion initiative and Akdital Group’s $1.41 billion Saudi entry.​

Notable investments by private groups like Mouwasat, Alrajhi Medicine, and Burjeel Holdings, each pledging close to or above $1 billion for specialty hospitals and services.​

Innovation, AI, and Digital Health

This year’s focus was on smart hospitals, generative AI in healthcare, and digitization—reflecting the Vision 2030 ambition to transition from treatment to prevention.​

Highlights included the world’s first Diabetic Command Center, which uses AI with continuous glucose monitoring for proactive intervention.​

Visionaries such as Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed underlined the importance of real-time AI-powered health dashboards to track metabolic markers and optimize lifestyle at population scale.​

International Collaboration and Growth

The event brought together healthcare leaders, investors, clinicians, and medtech innovators worldwide, creating strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange platforms.​

African and Moroccan hospital groups secured key Saudi market entries, reflecting Saudi’s increased openness and ambition to become a Middle East healthcare gateway.​

Public Health Achievements

Saudi Arabia reported increased life expectancy (now at 79.7 years), a 38% drop in chronic disease deaths, and early screening programs covering millions—all attributed to Vision 2030 reforms.​

Infrastructure advancements included initiatives for nationwide access to advanced medical devices, digital health equity, and the integration of advanced logistics such as drone-based deliveries.​

Core Themes

Digital transformation and longevity science

Chronic disease management and AI monitoring

Cross-sector healthcare investment and innovation

Public-private partnerships for value-based health outcomes

The exhibition reinforced Riyadh’s position as a global health investment destination and highlighted big advances in digital and AI-powered population health