Rocks, Riyals, and Roundtables: Riyadh's Mineral Party Is Back

**RIYADH, Saudi Arabia** is gearing up for something big. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that the sixth Future Minerals Forum (FMF) will run from 12–14 January 2027. It takes place under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, with the theme "Global Collaboration for Resilient Mineral Supply."

The fifth edition drew 21,500 participants from 175 countries. Moreover, delegates signed 132 agreements and MoUs worth over USD 26.7 billion. Altogether, five editions have produced 398 deals valued at more than USD 75.2 billion.

This year, organizers will focus on mobilizing finance and speeding up project development. Furthermore, they aim to help emerging suppliers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The government-led Ministerial Roundtable will headline the event. Meanwhile, "Gateway to Funding" will connect investors with scalable projects.

The Kingdom's mining sector has grown right alongside the Forum. Exploration spending jumped from USD 54.7 million in 2020 to USD 362.7 million in 2025. Likewise, active exploration companies climbed from six to 191.

Additionally, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced that Jabal Sayid holds an estimated 114 million tons of rare earth ore.

FMF 2027 will issue a global call to diversify mineral supply. Therefore, start planning now. Visit futuremineralsforum.com to register.

From 20 to 500: How etisalat Is Building the UAE's Digital Superhighway

In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed etisalat launch a bold digital infrastructure project. Honestly, it's a big deal.

The timing makes sense, too. After all, AI keeps demanding more capacity every single day.

First, etisalat will lift international connectivity from 20 Tbps to more than 500 Tbps by 2030. That's over twenty-five times today's capacity!

Plus, diverse routes will deliver fast, low-latency, reliable performance. In other words, the UAE stays directly connected to the global digital economy.

Sheikh Mansour calls digital infrastructure a pillar of a knowledge-based economy. Moreover, he wants the UAE to help create technologies, not just use them.

Likewise, Chairman Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi says the UAE should govern AI and build with it. Therefore, strong infrastructure comes first.

Meanwhile, etisalat operates across 38 countries and serves over 250 million subscribers. So the impact stretches well beyond the UAE.

Finally, the launch coincides with etisalat's 50th anniversary and its new strategy built on four business engines. Clearly, the next fifty years start now.

Home Sweet Workplace: How SAR 1 Billion Is Rebuilding Worker Housing

**RIYADH, Saudi Arabia** – Mnzil, Saudi Arabia's first and leading tech-enabled workforce housing platform, The Development Group (TDG) and Capital Partners have launched a SAR 1 billion real estate fund. It will build purpose-built compounds for up to 50,000 workers.

Here's the headline: Mnzil will serve as strategic partner and exclusive operator. Meanwhile, TDG leads site selection and development, and Capital Partners manages the fund.

Why now? Vision 2030 is fueling growth in construction, logistics, industry and tourism. Consequently, demand for quality accommodation keeps climbing.

Furnished rooms, sports facilities, communal areas and open spaces will shape each compound. Additionally, on-site maintenance and administration will support daily life.

Development begins in Q4 2026, targeting Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, Makkah and Madinah. Therefore, workers will live closer to their jobs and spend less time commuting.

Mnzil CEO Majeed Albabtain says workers' living conditions have not received the attention they deserve. Likewise, TDG CEO Talal Raqaban calls workforce accommodation essential infrastructure.

Capital Partners' Saud Al Rajhi sees a chance to make workforce housing an institutional asset class. His team will use built-to-suit leases to secure contracted rental income.

Mnzil already houses over 30,000 workers for 250-plus clients across 30-plus cities, including Amazon, Noon and Nestlé. Founders Fund backs the company, marking its first Saudi investment.

Ultimately, this fund aims to give workers better places to rest, connect and feel at home.