AUTOMOTIVE-

Self-driving cars are on Riyadh’s roads: The Transport General Authority has launched the initial 12-month operational phase of Riyadh’s autonomous vehicles project, it said on X. During the period, the self-driving taxis will operate on designated routes with 13 stations, covering seven locations that connect King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and specific city center destinations, according to a separate X post. The vehicles’ maximum speed will be capped at 100 km/h.

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A public-private powerhouse: The project launched in cooperation between several public and private entities, including the Interior Ministry, Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), Uber, WeRide, and AiDriver.

REMEMBER- In preparation for autonomous vehicles deployment, the General Authority for Roads (GRA) updated its Roads Code last week. The new framework mandates infrastructure upgrades, including durable pavement layers and real-time communication systems for roads and parking.

GAMING-

PIF-owned Savvy Games Group has partnered with King Abdulaziz University to offer specialized diplomas in games production and esports management, according to a press release. The initiative — which is part of Savvy Academy’s Level-Up program — kicks off with the new academic year aiming at sharpening the skills of the local talents and lowering reliance on foreign expertise.

IN CONTEXT- Earlier this year, Savvy Games Group and SBI Holdings inked an MoU that will see SBI Holdings introduce Japanese gaming companies to Savvy’s Esports ecosystem, facilitating their entry into the Saudi and Mena markets.

M&A WATCH-

Aictec receives no-objection certificate for stake in Sign Max: Advance International forTelecommunications and Information Technology (Aictec) received General Authority for Competition approval to move forward with its acquisition of a 25% stake in Sign Max Advertising for SAR 3 mn, according to a disclosure to Tadawul. Aictec and Sign Max had signed an MoU for the move in June.

ADVISORS- Aictec tapped Crowe Solutions Consulting as the financial advisor for the acquisition.

LOGISTICS-

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) added CMA CGM’s LRX shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port, linking it to four regional ports, it said in a statement. The new route — with a capacity of 2.8k TEUs — will connect Jeddah to Latakia in Syria, Iskenderun and Mersin in Turkey, and Beirut in Lebanon.

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