PepsiCo in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

PepsiCo has been a cornerstone of the food and beverage industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for over 68 years, consistently investing in the nation’s growth and aligning with its Vision 2030 goals.

Together with its franchise partners, with close to 9,000 employees in KSA, Saudization rates exceeding 40% in some business units, and collaborations with premier local partners such as Menabev (Bughshan Family), Al Jomaih Bottling Plant, and AQS (Al-Qahtani family), PepsiCo remains one of the Kingdom’s largest non-Saudi F&B conglomerates.

Investments are evident in the Jeddah facility — one of the largest beverage plants globally in the PepsiCo system and showcasing the unwavering commitment of PepsiCo and its franchise partners to empowering women, youth, and local communities.

Future is Saudi

The first program under Proudly Saudi, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and executed by LNA Academy and Injaz AlArab, focuses on skill development in the industrial sector.

• Employee Training: Intensive training for industrial-sector employees to enhance their skills.
• Women in Industry: Training for 2,000 women in food safety within the industrial sector.
• Undergraduate Opportunities: Career fairs and networking events to connect students with industrial sector jobs.
• Youth in Sales: In partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources trains 300 young Saudis in sales, equipping them to excel in the workforce.

Project HQ

Selected by the Ministry of Investment, PepsiCo relocated its regional headquarters to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). In 2025, PepsiCo will also inaugurate its first innovation hub in Saudi Arabia, fostering a culture of innovation and development.

Tamakani Strategic Pillars:

• Tamakani Lab: Focused on entrepreneurship and business education.
• Tamakani Leads: Advancing leadership opportunities for women in the workforce.
• Tamakani Talent Hub: Showcasing Saudi talent in arts, sports, and beyond.

• Qudwah Mentorship in partnership with Princess Noura University: Mentoring young women leaders at the start of their careers.
• WIN Fellowship with the Atlantic Council: A year-long program empowering women entrepreneurs through executive education and networking, including a trip to the U.S. for top participants.
• Tamakani at Hia Hub: Relaunched Tamakani at this mega event in Riyadh, amplifying women’s voices in fields like fashion, business, and sports.
• Tamakani House: A dedicated hub in Riyadh for women-focused events, mentorship, and inspiration.
• Diwaniya Events (AmCham): Engaging forums led by women to promote inclusivity in policy and business dialogue.
• Mozn Podcast (Family Affairs Council): Raising awareness on women’s issues through expert-led discussions.

PepsiCo Positive (pep+)

Agriculture

PepsiCo’s local production supports Saudi agriculture and empowers farmers:

• In 2019, $34M (SAR 127M) was spent on locally grown potatoes from four strategic growers.
• By 2030, PepsiCo aims to sustainably source 100% of key ingredients and improve the livelihoods of over 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain.

Water Efficiency

• PepsiCo reduced water usage for potato farming by 22% since 2015 (~1.8 billion liters).
• Efficient irrigation practices in Wadi Dawasir have resulted in annual water savings of 585 million liters since 2023, matching the water consumption of PepsiCo's Riyadh plant. These water conservation efforts enable PepsiCo's Saudi snacks operations to fully replenish their water usage, returning 100% of the water consumed back to the community.
• Collaborations with the Saudi Irrigation Organization introduced best practices, conserving and replenishing water in local watersheds.

Circular Economy

In 2023, PepsiCo made significant strides in advancing the circular economy in Saudi Arabia by introducing rPET bottles, incorporating recycled plastics into its packaging.

Collaborating with SABIC, the company worked to develop robust plastic recycling infrastructure, while also piloting household waste collection programs with Nadeera in two residential compounds, with plans to expand to ten.

PepsiCo launched on-site recycling hubs at Danube retail stores in Jeddah and signed an MOU with SAUDIA Airlines to design a long-term program for inflight waste recycling.

Additionally, the company partnered with Orenda Tribe to host interactive workshops on recycling for children at the Jeddah Biennale, fostering environmental awareness among younger generations.

Sustainability in Plants

Energy

• PepsiCo aims for net-zero emissions by 2040, beginning with energy efficiency improvements.
• Solar panels are being installed at snacks facilities in Riyadh and Dammam.

Transportation

• Partnered with NTSC in 2023 to pilot Saudi Arabia’s first electric delivery truck.

Sports and Active Living: Harek (MOVE)

In partnership with the SFA Federation, PepsiCo launched Harek to encourage active lifestyles.

• Supported events like the Spartan Race, Riyadh Marathon, and Formula-E with eco-friendly measures.
• Hosted Gatorade Sports Science Institute workshops to educate on fitness, nutrition, and recovery.

Saudi Made Program

PepsiCo’s snacks manufacturing facilities were recognized as key partners in the Saudi Made initiative, celebrating the Kingdom’s innovation, talent, and technical expertise.

Through these efforts, PepsiCo continues to invest in Saudi Arabia’s people, sustainability, and Vision 2030 goals, reaffirming its legacy as a proud and strategic partner in the Kingdom’s progress.