Knowledge Economic City gets a new CEO ahead of foreign ownership play

Knowledge Economic City appointed Moath Ahmed Alyahya (LinkedIn) as its new CEO, according to a Tadawul disclosure. Alyahya brings more than 20 years of experience in real estate development, investment, and portfolio management. He previously served as AlRajhi United Real Estate’s CEO and held senior leadership roles at the Labor and Social Development Ministry, Osoul Integrated Real Estate, and the Public Pension Agency.

Alyahya replaces acting CEO Hazem Elbanna, KEC's COO, who had run the company on an interim basis since long-time CEO Mohammad Almubarak stepped down at the start of the year. He takes over just as KEC's core asset — its some 2 mn sqm land bank in Madinah — becomes one of the few regulated routes for foreign capital into holy-city real estate.