Citi Opens Saudi RHQ, Boosts Youth Skills Across MENA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – October 27, 2025 – Citi today officially inaugurated its new Regional Headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, located at the iconic Kingdom Tower. The establishment of the RHQ follows Citi’s receipt of the official license from the Ministry of Investment and Ministry of Commerce in November 2024, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s strategic initiative to attract multinational companies to establish regional headquarters in the Kingdom.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, H.E. Eng. Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment, along with senior Citi officials, including Jane Fraser, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Citi; Naveed Kamal, CEO of Citicorp Regional HQ; and Fahad Aldeweesh, Citi Country Officer and Banking Head of Saudi Arabia.

Jane Fraser emphasized the significance of Citi’s expansion in the region: “The Middle East is one of the most dynamic regions globally, and Saudi Arabia is at the heart of this transformation. Our new regional headquarters in Riyadh reflects our confidence in the Kingdom’s momentum and our commitment to supporting the clients driving this change.”

The Riyadh RHQ will provide strategic oversight, direction, and management support to Citi’s branches and subsidiaries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), enhancing operational efficiency and regional growth initiatives. Naveed Kamal was appointed CEO of Citi’s new legal entity in Saudi Arabia in January 2025, reinforcing Citi’s leadership presence in the region.

Future-Ready Youth Employment & Skills Program

At the inauguration, the Citi Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Education for Employment (EFE), a leading youth employment organization in MENA. This funding will enable EFE to expand its “Future-Ready Youth Employment and Skills Program” across five MENA countries, delivering specialized training in digital and green skills to over 700 youth. At least 280 participants are expected to secure direct employment upon completing the program.

Fahad Aldeweesh highlighted the program’s impact: “This grant demonstrates Citi Foundation’s longstanding commitment to closing the skills gap across MENA for low-income youth. By equipping young people with digital and green skills, we are preparing a future-ready workforce capable of driving economic and environmental transformation in the region.”

Andrew Baird, President and CEO of EFE-Global, added: “With the support of the Citi Foundation, we can scale our proven training model to provide low-income youth with not only job readiness but also the resilience and innovative mindset required for sustainable careers. This funding empowers youth to actively contribute to a more competitive, green, and equitable future.”

Through this RHQ and youth skills initiative, Citi underscores its commitment to regional growth, sustainable development, and empowering the next generation of professionals across the MENA region.