Energy minister absorbs industry and mining portfolios

Energy, industry, and mining are now under a single minister. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud has been appointed minister of industry and mineral resources while continuing his role as energy minister, replacing Bandar Al Khorayef, according to a series of royal decrees published by SPA. Al Khorayef was named state minister and a member of the Council of Ministers.

Al Khorayef also picked up a defense-sector brief, tasked with performing the duties of governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in an acting capacity, after Ahmed Al Ohali was relieved as governor.

Why it matters: Three portfolios central to the Kingdom’s diversification push — energy, industry, and mining — now sit with one minister, tightening coordination as Saudi expands mining and builds out downstream manufacturing. It also concentrates authority in Prince Abdulaziz, who keeps energy while absorbing a ministry that until today had its own cabinet seat. It’s unclear whether a new industry minister is in the cards.

About the ministers: Prince Abdulaziz has been energy minister since 2019, after stints as deputy oil minister, assistant oil minister, and state minister for energy affairs, steering Saudi oil policy through the Opec+ production accords. Al Khorayef (LinkedIn) took the industry portfolio the same year and chairs the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, Modon, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.