The Financial Academy and Bloomberg today inaugurated the Bloomberg Finance Lab at the Academy’s headquarters in King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) a nd launched Bloomberg Finance Pathways in Saudi Arabia, giving finance professionals and students in the Kingdom hands-on access to the technology and mentorship used across global financial markets.

The launch builds on the m emorandum of understanding signed by The Financial Academy and Bloomberg at the Financial Academy Forum in October 2025. The collaboration supports the Kingdom’s Financial Sector Development Program and Human Capability Development Program, two key initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Mohammed Alhamazany, Chief of Capability Development at The Financial Academy, stated that the launch of the Bloomberg Finance Lab, alongside Bloomberg Finance Pathways, represents a qualitative step in empowering national talent and equipping financial sector practitioners with the latest analytical tools, data and learning opportunities. He noted that bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application through specialised global platforms and programmes contributes to developing a new generation of financial competencies and leaders, and supports the Academy’s efforts in human capital development and enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the financial sector.

Bloomberg Finance Pathways’ launch in Saudi Arabia m arks the programme's first expansion into the Middle East, extending its global initiative that connects talented students with mentors and industry leaders across the public and private sectors. Since its inception in 2022, the programme has reached more than 2 , 5 00 students across 1 5 countries, working with a global network of non-profit partners to build participants’ leadership potential and prepare them for careers across the financial sector.

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg , said: “The expansion of Bloomberg Finance Pathways into Saudi Arabia marks the programme’s debut in the Middle East and represents the next phase of our commitment to empowering the next generation of financial leaders . By c onnecting students with mentors and ambassadors from the Kingdom's own financial sector , we’re providing them with valuable first-hand industry exposure alongside t he technical skills they'll gain through the Bloomberg Finance Lab.”

T he Finance Lab will provide financial professionals with hands-on access to real-time and historical market data, advanced analytics, market-moving news and electronic trading tools. The facility places The Financial Academy alongside more than 1,200 academic institutions worldwide that integrate the same technology, relied upon by leading financial institutions, corporations and policymakers, into their programmes.

Participants will receive training on the Bloomberg Terminal and access to e-learning certification courses, including Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC), alongside modules covering investment, risk and portfolio management.

Michelle Bennett, Head of EMEA Terminal Business at Bloomberg , said: We are delighted to work with The Financial Academy in launching the Bloomberg Finance Lab, giving professionals and faculty in Saudi Arabia access to the same tools and insights relied upon by the world's leading finance professionals. Paired with the launch of Bloomberg Finance Pathways, this collaboration will help build the skills and talent needed to grow Saudi Arabia's financial ecosystem . ”

The Lab will also integrate Bloomberg for Education into The Financial Academy’s curriculum, supported by dedicated training for faculty members, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry readiness, while strengthening technical proficiency across Saudi Arabia’s financial sector.

The Bloomberg Finance Lab and Bloomberg Finance Pathways form part of Bloomberg’s wider investment in Saudi Arabia, which includes the opening of its new office in KAFD. The collaboration reinforces Bloomberg and The Financial Academy’s shared commitment to developing future-ready financial talent and supporting a competitive, knowledge-based financial ecosystem aligned with international standards.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a global leader in business and financial information, delivering trusted data, news, and insights that bring transparency, efficiency, and fairness to markets. The company helps connect influential communities across the global financial ecosystem via reliable technology solutions that enable our customers to make more informed decisions and foster better collaboration. For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo .

About The Financial Academy

The Financial Academy is an entity with an independent legal and administrative identity, organizationally linked to the Chairman of the Board of the Capital Market Authority (CMA). It aims to qualify, develop, and advance human capital in the financial sector by building the knowledge, capabilities, skills, and professional culture of those working within it — including executive leadership and board members of financial sector entities — while also contributing to the development of best professional practices related to the sector. The Financial Academy serves all entities in the financial sector, including banking, finance, insurance, and the capital market. For more information, visit www.fa.gov.sa .