Saudi Arabia is changing fast — but what’s actually happening behind all those Vision 2030 billboards, mega projects, and construction cranes across Riyadh?

In this episode of Inside Saudi, Carly and Vesna break down Vision 2030 — what it really is, why it started, and how it’s reshaping everyday life in the Kingdom. We go beyond the headlines and talk about what you can literally see unfolding in Riyadh right now: from Sports Boulevard and King Salman Park, to Historic Diriyah, Boulevard World, and the Riyadh Metro.

We also dive into the huge national projects — NEOM, The Red Sea Project, AMAALA, Qiddiya, and Expo 2030 — and explain how they all fit into Saudi’s long-term plan for life beyond oil. Whether you’re new to Saudi, curious about the transformation, or just want to understand what Vision 2030 actually means, this episode breaks it all down — no jargon, no politics… just real life, lived here.

🕒 Episode Breakdown (Timestamps)

00:00 — Vision 2030: what it is and why it matters

01:00 — A little bit of history: how it all started

02:00 — Vision 2030 goals

02:16 — Why move away from oil (and what the US dollar has to do with it)

03:26 — The three pillars of Vision 2030

06:14 — How it’s rolling out in Riyadh

13:16 — Mega projects across Saudi Arabia

22:08 — Seeing the change in Saudi Arabia: cafés, culture, lifestyle

23:35 — Who pays for all this? (The Public Investment Fund)

24:05 — Wrap-up and reflections

💬 Key Takeaways

- The story behind Vision 2030 and why it’s reshaping Saudi Arabia.

- How everyday life in Riyadh is changing — parks, art, architecture, and cafés.

- The mega-projects turning Saudi into a new global hub: NEOM, Diriyah, Qiddiya, AMAALA, The Red Sea, Expo 2030.

- Why diversification away from oil is so critical for the future.

- And what it’s like to actually live through one of the biggest transformations in the world. 📍

Mentioned in This Episode @DiriyahGateSaudi @SportsBoulevard @KingSalmanPark @Qiddiya @NEOM @Trojena @Oxagon @RedSeaGlobal @Amaala @VisitRedSea @NewMurabba @Expo2030Riyadh @InsideSaudi @carlyoverman

🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Amazon Music Follow the journey on Instagram and TikTok → @InsideSaudiArabia

Hosts: find us on IG @caroverman & @vesnapetrovicx or TikTok @carlyoverman @vesnapetrovix