The richest Arab prince bets big on technology: this is how he invests his $16.5 billion

Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud has just returned to Forbes' radar with a net worth of $16.5 billion, making him the richest man in the Arab world. But what is interesting is not just the figure, but how this 69-year-old Saudi is rearranging his business empire.

From excluded to number 1 among the Saudis

The prince disappeared from the Forbes list between 2018 and 2024 (Forbes stopped counting Saudi billionaires during that period), but in 2025 he is the only one to return, ranking 128th globally. His fortune comes mainly from Kingdom Holding Company, the group he founded 45 years ago and of which he owns 78.13% of the capital.

Kingdom Holding: a portfolio of $19 billion

This holding manages investments of $19 billion strategically distributed:

• Technology: He is the second shareholder of X ( before Twitter ) and of Elon Musk's xAI. He invested $800 million in xAI in 2024 and projects between $4-5 billion later.
• Hospitality (31% of the portfolio): Holds 23.7% of Four Seasons (joint venture with Bill Gates) and 6.8% of Accor, the French chain with 40+ premium brands.
• Real Estate (25.9%): Kingdom Centre in Riyadh and the Jeddah Tower (the tallest tower in the world when completed).
• Aviation: Controls 37.2% of Flynas, a low-cost airline planning an IPO on Tadawul this year to raise $2 billion.
• Finance: 1.06% of Citigroup ( its investment of $800 million in 1991 grew to $10 billion in 2005) and 16.2% of Banque Saudi Fransi.

The key data: Is it going for crypto?

While their portfolio touches almost everything, the presence in blockchain/crypto remains minimal. Their biggest bet is on xAI and X, but not directly in tokens or crypto assets. With a net worth of $16.5 billion and growth in tech sectors, it is an open question whether they will enter the crypto space more aggressively in the coming years.