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Saudi Arabia Practice
Sukuk issuance, Islamic project finance, SAMA regulatory compliance, CMA capital markets advisory, fintech licensing, and fund formation — serving Saudi Arabia's financial sector across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
Saudi Arabia's financial sector is the largest and most sophisticated in the Gulf. Tadawul is the biggest stock exchange in the Middle East by market capitalisation. The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) regulates one of the most important banking sectors in the Islamic world. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) administers a capital markets framework that has attracted global institutional investors.
Vision 2030's financial sector reforms — the Financial Sector Development Programme — are driving expansion across every dimension: new fintech licences, the regulatory sandbox, the growth of the sukuk market, the liberalisation of foreign investment in listed securities, and the development of Saudi Arabia as a global Islamic finance hub. For financial institutions, fintech companies, and investors, the legal complexity of operating in this rapidly evolving regulatory environment requires specialist advisory.
GSDA's banking and finance practice in Saudi Arabia serves international and regional financial institutions, fintech companies, fund managers, and corporate issuers. Our team combines Islamic finance expertise — including the structuring of Sharia-compliant products — with the international capital markets experience that cross-border transactions require.
End-to-end advisory on sukuk issuances — structuring (ijara, murabaha, wakala), CMA regulatory approval, Sharia certification, documentation, pricing, and ongoing compliance for both domestic and international sukuk programmes.
Structuring Sharia-compliant project finance for Saudi infrastructure, energy, and real estate — including istisna-ijara structures for construction, musharaka for equity investment, and the syndicated facilities that fund giga-project development.
Licensing applications, capital adequacy compliance, AML/CTF programmes, governance frameworks, and regulatory engagement for banks, insurance companies, and fintech companies operating under SAMA supervision.
IPO advisory, secondary offerings, rights issues, and the CMA regulatory process for companies listing on Tadawul — including governance requirements, disclosure obligations, and ongoing compliance.
Navigating SAMA's regulatory sandbox and the CMA's fintech framework — licensing strategy, compliance architecture, data protection (PDPL), and the structuring of Sharia-compliant fintech products.
CMA-compliant fund formation — public and private funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), venture capital vehicles, and Islamic investment funds requiring Sharia board oversight.
Yes. We advise on sukuk issuances on Tadawul — covering structuring (ijara, murabaha, wakala), CMA regulatory approval, Sharia scholar certification, documentation, and the ongoing compliance obligations. We serve issuers, underwriters, and institutional investors in Saudi Arabia's rapidly developing sukuk market.
We advise banks, insurance companies, and fintech companies on Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) regulatory compliance — including licensing applications, capital adequacy requirements, anti-money laundering (AML) obligations, and the regulatory sandbox programme for fintech innovation.
We advise fintech companies navigating SAMA's regulatory sandbox, the CMA's fintech framework, and the interplay between Saudi data protection law (PDPL) and financial services regulation. Our advisory covers licensing strategy, compliance frameworks, and the structuring of Sharia-compliant fintech products.
We advise on the full range of Islamic finance structures — murabaha (cost-plus financing), ijara (lease financing), istisna (construction financing), wakala (agency-based investment), musharaka (partnership), and sukuk (Islamic bonds). Each structure requires Sharia compliance certification alongside commercial and regulatory approval.
We advise on the formation of investment funds under CMA regulations — including public and private funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and venture capital funds. Our advisory covers fund structuring, CMA registration, fund governance, and the Sharia compliance requirements for Islamic investment funds.
Contact our Islamic finance team for a confidential consultation.