NSG and Esri collaborate to drive geospatial innovation in Saudi Arabia

Esri has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Neo Space Group (NSG), a public investment fund company and Saudi Arabia’s leading provider of commercial space services. This landmark agreement was finalized during the Esri Saudi User Conference 2025, held in Riyadh. The MoU was signed by Martijn Blanken, CEO of Neo Space Group, and Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, a world leader in GIS technology.

This partnership is regarded as a major step towards strengthening the geospatial sector in Saudi Arabia and beyond, aligning with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. Geospatial solutions are reshaping the space technology landscape, driving economic diversification and advancing key national priorities with innovative applications across industries.

Martijn Blanken, CEO of NSG, said: “By combining NSG’s expertise in providing a broad range of geospatial services and Esri’s cutting-edge GIS technology, this partnership aims to drive innovation and unlock new opportunities in talent development, research and development (R&D), and leveraging Earth observation data for critical applications. This collaboration will focus on R&D initiatives that push the boundaries of geospatial technology, delivering groundbreaking solutions across various sectors.”

Moreover, NSG and Esri will collaborate on specialized training programmes, workshops and hands-on experiences to strengthen expertise in the geospatial field, aiming to empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Geospatial’s role in economic diversification

Leveraging Earth observation and remote sensing, this partnership will transform satellite data into actionable insights, driving innovation in agriculture, defence, security, environmental monitoring, urban planning, maritime and more. These advanced solutions will help tackle global challenges and promote sustainable development across industries.

Being a key enabler of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the geospatial sector is rapidly emerging as a pillar of economic diversification and technological advancement. As a PIF company, NSG is leading this transformation, providing advanced geospatial and satellite communication services that drive innovation and sustainability. The company offers a wide range of solutions in satellite communications, geospatial intelligence, and positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), while continuously investing in the next generation of space technologies.