Saudi Esports Federation partners with BSF on gaming finance

Image via BSF / SEF

Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Esports Federation to explore new financing products, investment programmes and specialised banking services for Saudi Arabia's growing gaming and esports sector.

The agreement will see the two organisations explore ways of developing the financial ecosystem supporting gaming and esports companies, alongside potential sponsorship of initiatives and tournaments organised by the Federation.

BSF said the partnership could include financing products and investment programmes designed to support the sector's long-term growth as Saudi Arabia continues to build its gaming industry under the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.

The agreement represents another move to connect Saudi Arabia's financial sector with its rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem, potentially providing developers, esports businesses and other companies operating in the industry with more specialised financial products.

"We are pleased at BSF to sign this agreement, which reflects our vision to strengthen the integration between the financial sector and the esports sector, as one of the Kingdom's promising strategic industries," said Mashhour Al-Masoudi, Senior Vice President of Retail Banking at BSF.

"Through this partnership, we aim to deliver advanced financial solutions and services that enable the sector to achieve its objectives and accelerate its growth, supporting the advancement of the digital economy in the Kingdom."

Headquartered in Riyadh, BSF is one of Saudi Arabia's major listed banks. The lender reported preliminary net income of SAR 2.87 billion for the first half of 2026, up 5% year-on-year, and earlier this year launched its BSF 2030 strategy.

For the Saudi Esports Federation, the agreement forms part of wider efforts to attract private-sector participation and build a more sustainable commercial ecosystem around gaming and esports in the Kingdom.

"This partnership represents an important step in bridging the Kingdom's financial excellence with the rapid evolution of the esports sector," said Rawan AlButairi, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation.

"Together we are building a robust, sustainable economic engine that ensures our esports ecosystem is supported by the sophisticated financial infrastructure and digital innovation necessary to cement our position as a premier global hub for competitive gaming."

The Saudi Esports Federation is responsible for regulating and developing the Kingdom's gaming and esports sector and supporting Saudi competitive players, while also working with local and international partners to grow the wider ecosystem.

Established in 2017, the Federation has become a central organisation in Saudi Arabia's gaming strategy as the Kingdom seeks to become a global hub for games and esports under Vision 2030.

The BSF partnership follows growing efforts across Saudi Arabia to improve access to capital for domestic gaming companies as investment, game development and esports activity continue to expand.