As Part of the Diriyah Project, University Signs Long-Term Strategic Investment Agreement with Diriyah Company
King Saud University, represented by Riyadh Valley Company, the university’s investment arm, signed a long-term lease agreement with Diriyah Company, in the presence of His Excellency the Chairman of the University Board, Yousef Al-Bunyan. The agreement was signed as part of efforts to support long-term development and investment partnerships.
The agreement was signed on behalf of the university by Acting President of King Saud University and Chairman of Riyadh Valley Company, Professor Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Masmali. Under the agreement, Diriyah Company will lease a 552,000-square-meter plot of land from King Saud University for a period of 70 years, enabling the development of the area within Phase Two of the Diriyah Project – Zone D2, in alignment with the project’s master plan.
The agreement aims to develop the area as part of the overall master plan for the project, maximize the value of King Saud University’s assets through a sustainable investment model, support the knowledge economy through partnership between a national development entity and a university investment arm, and enhance integration between the academic sector and major national development projects. This contributes to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in urban and economic development.
His Excellency the Chairman of the University Board emphasized that the agreement reflects the university’s strategic direction to maximize the impact of its assets and activate high-quality, long-term partnerships with major national projects, enhancing financial sustainability and reinforcing the university’s role as an active partner in national development and global excellence.
For his part, the Acting President of the University stated that the agreement represents a qualitative leap in investment, ensures financial sustainability, maximizes university assets, and achieves ambitious development goals for both parties.
Meanwhile, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, noted that the agreement represents a strategic step in the development of Diriyah and reflects the integration of efforts between development entities and academic institutions to enable sustainable urban projects with long-term economic and knowledge value.
This agreement is part of a series of projects and contracts announced by Diriyah Company in 2025, including the development of major cultural and urban assets such as the Royal Diriyah Opera House, Diriyah Arena, and the Diriyah Square commercial district, reflecting the accelerating pace of progress under the project’s master plan.
