Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Saudi Arabia’s leading daily Alriyadh Newspaper covered statements by Eng. Naif Al-Zahrani, Acting CEO of NineTenths (تسعة أعشار), on the sidelines of The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026, addressing the future of drones in e-commerce and urban delivery across the Kingdom. Below are the key highlights from the interview as published by Alriyadh Newspaper.
Eng. Naif Al-Zahrani, Acting CEO of NineTenths (تسعة أعشار) — the official DJI authorized partner in Saudi Arabia — attended The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026, held at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, with 337 exhibitors from 17 countries.
On the sidelines of the event, Al-Zahrani shared NineTenths’ vision on the future of drones in e-commerce and urban delivery services across the Kingdom, affirming that this technology is no longer just a future concept but has become a promising operational solution capable of reshaping how cities deliver goods.
Key Takeaways
- Eng. Naif Al-Zahrani represented NineTenths at The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026, discussing the future of drone logistics in Saudi Arabia.
- He emphasized the shift from limited trials to commercial operations in e-commerce delivery, supported by government investments and Vision 2030.
- Al-Zahrani identified challenges in regulatory compliance, technical issues due to climate, and operational safety in urban areas.
- He highlighted the growing drone logistics market, projected to reach $20 billion, presenting investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
- NineTenths applies 5 core criteria across all services: GACA compliance, operational experience, AI technology, safety protocols, and transparency — positioning Saudi Arabia as a $20B drone logistics market by 2034
Table of contents
- From Limited Trials to Full Commercial Operations
- A Global Market Approaching $20 Billion
- The Challenges: Regulatory, Technical, and Operational
- Artificial Intelligence: The Backbone of Aerial Delivery Services
- Saudi Arabia on Track to Become a Regional Hub for Advanced Logistics Technology
- Five Key Criteria for Choosing a Drone Services Provider
- About The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026
- About NineTenths (تسعة أعشار)
- Frequently Asked Questions About Drones and Delivery Services in Saudi Arabia
From Limited Trials to Full Commercial Operations
Al-Zahrani stated that Saudi Arabia is witnessing rapid transformation in its e-commerce and logistics sectors. He predicted that drones will become part of daily delivery operations in Saudi cities within the next few years, transitioning gradually from limited pilot programs to full commercial deployment — supported by government investments, smart city projects, and the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.
A Global Market Approaching $20 Billion
Al-Zahrani noted that the global drone logistics market is currently approaching $3 billion, with projections indicating growth to approximately $20 billion in the coming years — opening wide opportunities for investment and the localization of related technologies in Saudi Arabia.
He confirmed that increasing reliance on drone technology will contribute to reducing delivery times and cutting operational costs, while improving access to congested or remote areas that traditional transport methods struggle to serve efficiently.
The Challenges: Regulatory, Technical, and Operational
Al-Zahrani identified the key challenges to widespread drone adoption across three main areas:
- Regulatory: Related to airspace management and licensing procedures in compliance with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) regulations.
- Technical & Environmental: Resulting from the impact of high temperatures and harsh climate conditions in Saudi Arabia on battery performance and electronic components.
- Operational: Concerning air traffic management and ensuring flight safety within dense urban environments.
On privacy concerns, he emphasized the importance of building community trust through designated flight corridors away from residential areas, using camera systems focused solely on identifying delivery points without collecting unnecessary data, and enhancing transparency and public awareness about how these services operate.
Artificial Intelligence: The Backbone of Aerial Delivery Services
Al-Zahrani explained that artificial intelligence is the fundamental pillar in developing aerial delivery services, enabling drones to make autonomous decisions during flight, avoid obstacles, and dynamically reroute in real time — as well as optimizing fleet management and analyzing weather and traffic data to select the safest and most efficient routes.
Saudi Arabia on Track to Become a Regional Hub for Advanced Logistics Technology
Al-Zahrani added that Saudi Arabia possesses the elements to become a regional hub for advanced logistics technologies, driven by the scale of government and private investment, expansion of smart city projects, and the strong support that the digital transformation sector receives under Vision 2030 targets.
He revealed that investment opportunities in this sector include developing smart software and systems, manufacturing drone components, establishing charging station infrastructure and operations centers, alongside public-private partnerships to localize advanced technologies.
Five Key Criteria for Choosing a Drone Services Provider
Al-Zahrani concluded by affirming that selecting drone service providers should be based on five core criteria — the same criteria NineTenths applies across all its services:
- Regulatory compliance and licensing.
- Proven operational experience.
- Technologies used and AI capabilities.
- Safety standards and emergency protocols.
- Transparency with clients and the community.
He stressed that the success of the sector depends on achieving the right balance between technological innovation and the requirements of safety and privacy — a balance that NineTenths strives to deliver in every project.
About The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026
The Riyadh International Industry Week 2026 concluded at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center after four days of events held under the patronage of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, with 337 exhibitors from 17 countries, showcasing the latest solutions across manufacturing, smart logistics, and supply chain sectors.
About NineTenths (تسعة أعشار)
NineTenths is a Saudi company specializing in innovative drone (UAS) solutions and counter-drone systems, and is the official DJI authorized partner in Saudi Arabia. The company provides aerial survey, inspection and mapping services, aquatic drone solutions, maintenance, and specialized training — with all pilots certified under the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drones and Delivery Services in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is moving toward integrating drones into daily urban delivery operations within the next few years, supported by Vision 2030 targets and smart city initiatives. The global drone logistics market is currently approaching $3 billion, with projections reaching $20 billion.
Three main challenges: regulatory — related to airspace management and GACA licensing; technical and environmental — the impact of extreme heat on batteries and electronics; and operational — ensuring flight safety in dense urban environments.
AI is the real driver of the new generation of drones — enabling autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, real-time rerouting, fleet management optimization, and weather and traffic data analysis for safer and more efficient routes.
Saudi Arabia already has most of the foundations in place: growing government and private investment, smart city integration, and strong Vision 2030 backing. The remaining gap lies in completing the regulatory framework and digital infrastructure.
Five core criteria: regulatory compliance and GACA certification, proven operational experience, AI-powered technologies, safety standards and emergency protocols, and transparency with clients and the community — the same criteria NineTenths applies across all its services.
The UAE leads in regulatory maturity and early pilots, but Saudi Arabia holds the largest consumer market in the Gulf — making it the most attractive for real commercial expansion in the long run.
Commercial use covers aerial photography, surveying, and inspection — selling data or a service. Logistics use focuses on moving shipments from point A to point B — selling speed. In the Saudi market, logistics use is expected to grow faster due to its direct link to the booming e-commerce sector.
Want to Learn More About Drone Solutions for Your Business?
Contact NineTenths today, we provide end-to-end drone solutions across Saudi Arabia — from aerial survey and inspection to smart logistics, delivered by a GACA-certified team powered by the latest AI technologies.
