Saudi Arabia caps foreign ownership in listed firms at 49%: Only six types of investors can qualify

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has introduced sweeping reforms to regulate foreign investment in listed securities, capping total foreign ownership at 49% and individual non-resident stakes at 10%. Six specific investor categories are now eligible, with strategic investors exempt from the cap but subject to a two-year lock-in. The measures reflect a broader push to modernize and safeguard capital markets.