New iMENA CEO eyes next phase of growth in Kingdom

By the Editorial Team · Monday, November 2, 2026

iMENA Holding has named Sara Al-Alshaikh as its new CEO to lead the company’s expansion of digital marketplace platforms across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region. Her appointment is integral to iMENA’s strategy to boost its presence in Saudi Arabia, aiming for the Kingdom to generate half of its revenue by 2026 in alignment with Vision 2030’s economic diversification goals.

iMENA Holding, a Saudi Arabia–based regional technology group, has appointed Sara Al-Alshaikh as its new chief executive officer as the company embarks on its next stage of growth. The move aims to strengthen iMENA’s position in Saudi Arabia while scaling its existing digital marketplace platforms across the Kingdom and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Established as a prominent operator of digital platforms, iMENA's portfolio includes businesses such as OpenSooq, SellAnyCar, and Jeeny, which collectively serve over 100 million users. These platforms cover several key sectors ranging from online classifieds and automotive marketplaces to mobility services. The group plans to accelerate the integration and expansion of these services, with a strategic focus on Saudi Arabia accounting for half of its total revenue by the end of 2026.

Al-Alshaikh brings more than ten years of experience in financial services, investment, and institutional development within the Saudi market. In her role, she is tasked with overseeing the growth strategy and operational alignment across the holding company and its subsidiaries. This includes enhancing governance, monitoring group-wide performance, and cultivating strategic partnerships both within the private sector and with regulatory and government entities in Saudi Arabia.

Nasir Alsharif, chairman of iMENA Holding, emphasized that the appointment signals the company’s intent to consolidate its regional operations under a unified framework centered on Saudi Arabia’s expanding digital economy. He highlighted Al-Alshaikh’s “strong combination of strategic leadership, experience in value creation, and deep understanding of the Saudi business landscape” as key factors in achieving the group’s growth ambitions.

iMENA’s renewed focus aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation plan, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and foster innovation and digital entrepreneurship. By leveraging Al-Alshaikh’s leadership and the group’s established user base, iMENA aims to reinforce its status as a leading technology conglomerate in the region and further contribute to the digital economic development within the Kingdom.

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