Databricks, a leader in data intelligence, has announced a plan to invest up to $300 million in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the next five years. This investment aims to help the growing local customer base integrate data, analytics, and AI through the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform.

During the LEAP 2025 conference, Databricks unveiled a new training collaboration with Tuwaiq Academy, which will serve as the first authorized training partner for Databricks in Saudi Arabia. This initiative is part of Databricks’ broader commitment to support the local workforce by providing training and resources in the fields of data and AI.

These announcements follow the recent opening of Databricks’ Riyadh office in December 2024 and the appointment of Mohammad Alzaubi as General Manager to oversee local operations. Naveen Zutshi, Chief Information Officer at Databricks, emphasized the importance of democratizing access to data and AI, stating that their platform could significantly accelerate the development of generative AI solutions across the region.

Furthermore, Databricks’ investment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework. The company is exploring options to collaborate with Tuwaiq Academy’s Gifted Technical Secondary School to integrate Databricks content and certification paths. The partnership has also gained recognition from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) will offer reimbursements to test-takers who pass Databricks’ Data Engineer certifications, which supports national skills development in data engineering.