The Kingdom’s reform-led reputation shift presents fresh opportunities for collaboration, investment, and long-term growth.
Saudi Arabia’s global reputation is changing fast, and for the oil and gas industry, that shift speaks volumes. According to CARMA’s 5th Annual Kingdom Reputation Report, the Kingdom saw a 25% increase in positive global media coverage in 2024, while negative sentiment dropped 55% compared to 2020. Driving this transformation: a deliberate move to reposition the country from a traditional hydrocarbons heavyweight into a diversified energy and investment powerhouse.
For oil and gas professionals, this changing perception reinforces Saudi Arabia’s status not just as a producer, but as a long-term energy leader guiding the global conversation on innovation, sustainability and geopolitical relevance.
Vision 2030: A Reputation Strategy with Real Economic Weight
Vision 2030 dominated 60% of international media coverage on Saudi Arabia in 2024 — the highest share on record. Importantly, economic and social transformation stories are now outpacing political headlines.
This reputational shift is backed by substance. In 2024, media coverage of Saudi Arabia’s economy rose by 77%, driven by investment-heavy events like the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the LEAP tech conference, and the World Defence Show — all platforms where energy, technology, and industrial strategy intersect. This marks a global reframing of Saudi Arabia as a driver of integrated energy innovation.
Energy Coverage Remains Positive Amid a Diversifying Portfolio
While oil and gas made up a smaller slice of total media coverage (around 6–10% depending on outlet and geography), the tone was largely positive. The report shows that energy and infrastructure projects were key contributors to favourable sentiment, particularly in international business and investment media.
This reflects both continued global confidence in the Kingdom’s energy leadership and a growing recognition of its shift toward cleaner fuels, hydrogen development, and downstream diversification.
Leadership on the Global Stage
Saudi Arabia’s ministers, especially in energy, finance, and investment, featured prominently and positively across global media. The visibility of figures like the Energy Minister and Aramco’s CEO underscores the Kingdom’s strategic communication approach: backing vision with credible, high-level voices. This positions Saudi Arabia not just as a stable producer, but as a shaping force in the future of energy, from pricing stability to new technology plays.
by Todd Riggs / July 21, 2025
