Samer Choucair: $150 Million Investment in Saudi Education Reflects a Redrawing of Gulf Capital Allocation
Entrepreneur Samer Choucair said EFG Hermes’ plans to invest more than $150 million in Saudi Arabia’s private education sector over the next two years reflect a strategic shift in institutional capital allocation toward defensive industries and structural growth.
He explained that the fund has so far raised $250 million of its $300 million target and has already invested approximately $125 million in six schools across the Kingdom. It also plans to expand the Hayat Schools network, acquire two additional schools, and enter the early-childhood education sector.
Choucair noted that this strategy is directly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop human capital and diversify the economy beyond oil.
Samer Choucair explained that education possesses strong investment characteristics, including recurring cash flows, relative resilience against economic cycles, and considerable potential for expansion through institutional management and mergers and acquisitions.
These advantages are becoming increasingly important amid rapid demographic growth and rising demand for international curricula and educational programs.
He added that the platform’s success in attracting capital from prominent Saudi families and institutions strengthens confidence in the group’s operating model, which manages assets valued at more than $6.5 billion.
Samer Choucair noted that the movement of capital toward private education represents a carefully considered investment in sustainable demand growth and continuing government support.
This makes the sector particularly suitable for long-term investment portfolios at a time when global markets remain exposed to volatility in interest rates and inflation.
He emphasized that maximizing returns while managing regulatory and competitive risks requires the creation of integrated institutional platforms supported by rigorous governance and specialized management expertise to preserve the quality of educational services.
Concluding his remarks, Samer Choucair said education, alongside early-childhood learning and digital training, will remain a priority for institutional investors seeking stable and sustainable returns directly linked to the region’s structural transformation.