GCC Leadership Series: Amr Habis - The Cultural and Economic Transformation of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030

INSEAD Emerging Markets Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode, I speak with Amr Habis, a transformational leader with expertise in engineering, project management, and business strategy, who has played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With experience spanning organizations like Aramco, OEM Group, and the Saudi National Guard, Amr provides deep insights into Saudi’s economic shift, infrastructure boom, and cultural transformation.

We discuss:

• Amr’s career journey – from engineering and construction to oil & gas and eventually entrepreneurship, and how he finds fulfillment in constant learning and transformation.
• Saudi’s Vision 2030 at two levels – the "hardware" changes (megaprojects like NEOM and Riyadh Metro) and "software" changes (cultural and societal shifts).
• The cultural evolution – how Saudis are embracing uncertainty, breaking from traditional career paths, and seeking more personal fulfillment.
• The “New Unknowns” – how the younger generation is redefining ambition, financial stability, and career choices in response to the rapid changes in Saudi Arabia.
• Challenges for business owners – how SMEs and long-established companies are adapting to regulatory overhauls and a fast-changing market.
• Why Saudi shouldn’t be judged by global benchmarks – how cultural uniqueness shapes policy, business, and urban development differently than in the West.
• The rise of the Saudi entrepreneurial ecosystem – why businesses in Saudi are creating their own "Blue Ocean" strategies to differentiate and innovate.
• Leadership and mindset transformation – the most critical factor in successfully navigating change, both for individuals and companies.
• His passion for Arabic calligraphy – preserving and modernizing Saudi culture through an upcoming podcast dedicated to this historic art form.

A fascinating conversation for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation under Vision 2030.