Saudi Arabia makes changes to dozens of senior roles in shakeup

Saudi Arabia performed a sweeping reshuffle on Thursday evening, replacing more than 40 senior and regional government positions, as the kingdom continues to overhaul its financial priorities in light of falling oil revenues.

Leading the changes was the removal of Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih, one of the most recognizable faces of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan and a former Energy Minister and Chairman of Saudi Aramco. 

Al Falih, who has held the role since 2020 and was a regular on the global conference circuit, has been replaced by Fahad Al Saif, a senior executive at the Public Investment Fund. Al Falih will remain in the cabinet and serve as a Minister of State.

Dozens more appointments were made in the kingdom’s biggest reshuffle since 2022, including Dr. Khalid Al Yousef, the president of the Board of Grievances, being promoted to the role of Attorney General. He replaced Sheikh Saud Al Muajab, who joined the royal court as an advisor with the rank of minister. 

Royal watchers were quick to point to the appointment of Prince Rakan bin Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s youngest full brother, as the Governor of Diriyah, an area considered the crown jewel of the kingdom and the birthplace of the Saudi state. 

Other regional changes included Prince Saud bin Nahar moving from Taif Governor to Medina Deputy Governor, with Prince Fawwaz bin Sultan taking over Taif, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdullah being named Northern Borders Deputy Governor.