Samer Choucair: Free LEAP Tickets Reveal a New Battle for Saudi Digital Capital
Investment leader Samer Choucair said stc Group’s sponsorship of general admission tickets for LEAP 2026 carries investment significance that extends well beyond conventional marketing. The initiative comes at a time when Saudi Arabia’s digital economy is emerging as one of the Kingdom’s key engines for economic diversification and investment attraction.
Choucair explained that LEAP 2026, taking place in Riyadh from August 31 to September 3, brings together more than 1,900 investors, 1,800 global technology brands, and over 600 startups, with targeted attendance exceeding 201,000 visitors. Participating investors collectively manage an estimated $14.3 trillion in assets, positioning the conference as an important platform connecting global capital with Saudi investment opportunities.
Samer Choucair noted that general admission was available free of charge through August 30 under stc’s sponsorship, before the ticket price increased to SAR 188. He stressed that the real value of the initiative is not the price of admission itself, but its ability to increase access to an ecosystem of companies, investors, developers, and decision-makers.
Choucair added that stc is participating in LEAP 2026 as a strategic partner for the fifth consecutive year, showcasing solutions across logistics, transportation, sports, construction, real estate, and digital infrastructure. According to Choucair, this reflects stc’s evolution from a traditional telecommunications operator into a broader enabler of digital transformation.
The strength of that strategy is supported by a substantial operational and financial base. Choucair noted that stc generated approximately SAR 40.11 billion in revenue during the first half of 2026, representing growth of 3.8%, while the number of mobile subscribers in Saudi Arabia reached 30.3 million.
Samer Choucair said Saudi Arabia’s digital economy should now be viewed as an investment market in its own right. According to Saudi Vision 2030 reporting, the digital economy contributes approximately 15.8% of GDP, while the Kingdom’s information and communications technology market has reached around $53 billion.
Choucair argued that investors should not measure LEAP’s impact solely by the number or headline value of agreements announced during the event. The more important measure is whether companies can convert meetings and partnerships into contracts, recurring revenues, and sustained investment across data centers, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital services.
Samer Choucair concluded that LEAP 2026 reflects Saudi Arabia’s transition from building digital infrastructure to maximizing the economic returns generated by it. Global capital, he said, is increasingly looking for companies capable of converting large-scale technology spending into higher productivity and sustainable cash flows rather than relying on short-term growth narratives.