WAM Saudi to supercharge Kingdom’s industrial future, cementing global advanced manufacturing hub status

Technology

WAM Saudi to supercharge Kingdom’s industrial future, cementing global advanced manufacturing hub status

The World Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics (WAM) Saudi Summit & Expo 2026, organized under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, and in strategic partnership with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), is poised to accelerate the Kingdom’s industrial transformation and reinforce its position as a global hub for advanced manufacturing.

Set to take place from 15–17 February 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, WAM Saudi is organized by KAOUN International and will feature participation from over 15 countries. The event is being held in collaboration with global organizations including UNIDO, Business Finland, INSME, AfriLabs, CyberTech Acceleration, nTrepreneur, IQBN, and Kearney, with major sponsorship from MODON, SIDF, AWS, and Infor.

Mahmoud Bin Khattar Alshanqiti, Director of Marketing & Communications and Spokesperson for MODON, emphasized the summit’s transformative impact: “WAM Saudi will bring together leading experts to explore the technologies driving Saudi Arabia’s industrial transformation — from advanced manufacturing and AI to smart logistics, materials innovation, and next-generation mobility. We are proud to connect innovators and investors in shaping the Kingdom’s industrial future.”

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, added: “WAM Saudi marks a key milestone in promoting global business and industrial growth across the MENA region. Saudi Arabia’s current phase of hyper-growth, fueled by its 2030 investment pipeline, presents an unmatched opportunity for international companies to participate in its industrial expansion.”

The exhibition will host top technology leaders from more than 20 nations, including the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Canada, the UAE, Türkiye, and Malaysia. Major participants include Amazon Web Services (AWS), CNTXT, TDK DENSEI, TATAWWAR, and INFOR, alongside a wave of high-growth startups presenting directly to global investors. Strategic partners of the event include the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Ontario, Trade Flow Africa, and Business Finland.

Andreas Jahn, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Government Affairs and Foreign Trade at BVMW (Germany), remarked: “Saudi Arabia is on the right track to become the industrial powerhouse of the Middle East, just as Germany has long been Europe’s industrial engine. Our collaboration with WAM Saudi will enable German SMEs to share industrial expertise and knowledge with Saudi enterprises.”

The event will feature over 100 speakers, including 50 percent international participation, and deliver more than 50 hours of future-focused content. Distinguished speakers include Victor Gao, Chairman of the China Energy Security Institute (China); Dr. Sami Ben Jamaa, Digital Innovations Officer at JERA Co. Inc. (Japan); Rt. Hon. Michelle Donelan, Former UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation & Technology; Chris Courtney, CEO of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (UK); and Eman Martin-Vignerte, Director of External Affairs & Government Relations at Bosch UK.

For the first time, Singapore and India will debut international startup pavilions, showcasing cutting-edge manufacturing innovation. The summit will also launch the Supernova Manufacturing Startup Competition — the Middle East’s first — featuring 50 startups competing across robotics, AI, and intelligent supply chain technologies.

Exhibitors such as Metalinvest Remko, Aconity 3D, InPro Electric GmbH, QuantiCor Security GmbH, Bison Italia SRL, Helical Fusion Co. Ltd., Telenet Co. Ltd., and CyberX will unveil their latest Industry 4.0 solutions. The event will also attract more than 100 investors from over 20 markets, including Orbit Startups, Plus VC, and Seafund.

WAM Saudi will spotlight the Kingdom’s high-growth industrial sectors — automotive, construction, mining and minerals, oil and gas, aerospace and defence, biotech and pharma, and F&B manufacturing. With a powerful lineup of policymakers, CEOs, and global experts, the summit will deliver strategic insights to empower investors and stakeholders in shaping the future of global manufacturing and logistics.