Estonia and Saudi Arabia sign MoU, ITL again at LEAP

Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital cooperation in Riyadh on Monday, 31 August, helping to facilitate market access for Estonian companies in the Gulf region.

The memorandum focuses on interoperability standards and emerging technologies. The cooperation aims to promote, develop and support the advancement of national digital services and standards, including digital platforms as well as solutions for electronic signatures, authentication and e-invoicing. All cooperation activities will be carried out in strict accordance with the national legislation of both countries.

“The memorandum on digital cooperation signed in Riyadh is an important step in strengthening relations between our two countries and will enable our companies to move forward with concrete cooperation projects in digital governance, e-identity and artificial intelligence,” said Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta.

According to Pakosta, the memorandum will help Estonian companies gain better access to the growing market and develop new partnerships. The aim is to support Estonian technology companies in establishing contacts and entering the market. “We want Estonian companies to secure valuable business opportunities and contracts,” Pakosta said.
Estonia’s digital society has been built in close cooperation with the private sector, and Estonian technology companies have valuable practical experience in developing efficient digital solutions – expertise that has also attracted considerable interest in Saudi Arabia. “We are ready to share our experience in data exchange and cybersecurity, and we are keen to actively contribute to Expo 2030 Riyadh in the fields of smart cities and clean technologies,” the Minister added.

The Minister is attending the international technology event LEAP 2026 in Riyadh from 31 August to 3 September together with an Estonian business delegation. Estonian technology companies are participating in LEAP for the fourth time. This year’s delegation includes Askend Estonia, CybExer Technologies, Datel, Fitek, Helmes and Nortal.

“Entering the Saudi technology market requires consistency and long-term investment in building local relationships,” said Doris Põld, CEO of ITL Estonia. According to Põld, ITL’s continued participation in LEAP is part of a long-term effort in the region.
“This year, our goal is to take the relationships we have already established to the next level and identify concrete cooperation and business opportunities for our companies. The bilateral memorandum on digital cooperation will certainly support us in achieving these goals,” Põld added.

Over the four days, the companies will participate in the exhibition and business meetings, while the Estonian stand will also host a networking event bringing together local partners and other LEAP participants from around the world. Another focus of this year’s visit is Nordic-Baltic cooperation. Estonian companies are participating in LEAP alongside Finnish and Latvian technology companies, with the programme including joint meetings and networking events.

The bilateral Business Council plays an important role in strengthening business relations between Estonia and Saudi Arabia, and a Saudi Arabian delegation is expected to visit Estonia already in September. In addition to digital cooperation, Estonia considers it important to move forward with preparations for a bilateral investment protection agreement.

The participation of Estonian companies is supported by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency and the European Union through the Interreg Central Baltic Programme.

Press Release by Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs and Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications, September 1st 2026