Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Omar is a prominent Saudi businessman and a leading figure in the Kingdom’s business and investment landscape.
He has held numerous leadership positions and contributed significantly to national economic development and the expansion of Saudi investments locally and globally — all aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
Early Life and Education
Born in Saudi Arabia (exact birth date and place not publicly detailed), Ibrahim Al-Omar earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
He later pursued leadership development through prestigious programs, including:
- Leadership Development Program at Harvard University
- Executive programs at London Business School, INSEAD (France), and Henley Business School (UK)
Achievements
With over two decades of leadership across strategic sectors—telecommunications, maritime transport, investment,
and aviation—Ibrahim Al-Omar has built a reputation as a modern Saudi leader driving transformation in alignment with Vision 2030.
Telecommunications:
Served as CEO of VIVA Bahrain from 2009 to 2011, where he led major advancements in digital services and customer experience.
Later became Vice President of Consumer Business at STC and then Head of Business Development at Mobily in 2014.
Maritime Transport:
Appointed CEO of Bahri (National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia) in 2014, where he led a $1.3 billion merger with Vela, Aramco’s shipping arm.
Launched a $1.5 billion maritime investment fund with APICORP and implemented data-driven innovations to enhance profitability and operational efficiency.
Held key board roles within Bahri and its subsidiaries.
Investment Sector:
Appointed Governor of SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) in April 2017,
where he spearheaded over 400 regulatory reforms to improve Saudi Arabia’s business environment and align with Vision 2030 targets.
Helped implement new bankruptcy laws, streamlined company formation, and reduced customs clearance times from 2 weeks to less than 24 hours.
Played a vital role in opening Saudi Arabia’s economy to global investment, attracting billions of dollars in tourism, healthcare, education, and logistics.
Aviation:
Appointed Director General of Saudia Group in October 2020 and Board Member since June 2020.
Led the modernization of Saudia’s fleet, signing strategic deals to prepare the airline for the projected growth to 150 million visitors by 2030.
Currently Chairman of flyadeal (Saudia’s low-cost airline) and a member of the Executive Committee of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO).
Appointed Chairman of the Arab Air Transport Committee in October 2022, where he promotes regional collaboration and sustainability initiatives such as clean fuel and electric aviation.
Under his leadership, Saudia has become more agile and efficient, launching several digital transformation programs to enhance passenger experience and operational performance.
Career Timeline
Telecom Sector:
Vice President of Consumer Business at STC (2011–2013)
Head of Product & Business Development at Mobily (2014)
CEO of VIVA Bahrain (2009–2011)
Maritime Sector – Bahri:
CEO of Bahri (2014–2017)
Led acquisition of Vela from Aramco (~$1 billion)
Established a $1.5B investment fund
Held various board roles within Bahri group companies
Investment Sector – SAGIA:
Governor of SAGIA (2017–2020)
Oversaw implementation of Vision 2030 foreign investment targets
Successfully elevated Saudi Arabia’s global business rankings
Secured $27B in tourism and entertainment investments in 2019
Aviation – Saudia Group:
Director General of Saudia Group since October 2020
Chairman of flyadeal
Board Member, Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) Executive Committee
Chairman, Arab Air Transport Committee (2022)
Board Member, Capital Metro Company (2018)
Legacy & Impact
Ibrahim Al-Omar exemplifies the modern Saudi leadership model, blending technical expertise with strategic vision.
His ability to drive transformation across sectors — from telecommunications to logistics, investment,
and aviation — has played a crucial role in reshaping Saudi Arabia’s economic ecosystem.
His work directly supports Saudi Vision 2030, accelerating reform, attracting investment, and enhancing the Kingdom’s global competitiveness.
As one of the key figures in the Kingdom’s transformation, Ibrahim Al-Omar continues to leave a lasting impact on Saudi Arabia’s future as a leading global economy.
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