CMA Chairman Urges Youth to Enter Financial Markets Early at Misk Global Forum

Riyadh, November 20, 2024 — The Chairman of the Board of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), Mohammed bin Abdullah Elkuwaiz, urged young Saudis and international participants at the recently concluded Misk Global Forum to enter financial markets early, emphasizing that starting young allows investors to offset mistakes that might otherwise occur later in life. Speaking in a session titled “By Youth for Youth,” Elkuwaiz framed early participation in the financial market not merely as a personal investment strategy but as a national priority tied to Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious roadmap for economic diversification and sustainable growth. His remarks, released through official Saudi channels including the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), position financial literacy as a cornerstone of youth empowerment and long-term economic resilience.

The Misk Global Forum, organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk), has become a flagship platform for dialogue between young people, policymakers, and global thought leaders. This year’s edition brought together thousands of participants to discuss how youth can shape the future of economies, cultures, and societies. Elkuwaiz’s address resonated strongly with that mission, offering practical guidance for young investors while highlighting the institutional support available through the CMA. For an international audience watching Saudi Arabia’s transformation, the message underscores how the Kingdom is building not only infrastructure and industries but also a generation of financially savvy citizens prepared to participate in global markets.

Context and Background

Why does the timing of a young person’s first investment matter so much in today’s rapidly changing global economy? According to Elkuwaiz, beginning with small, diversified investments allows young people to accumulate knowledge gradually, and that growing confidence and understanding can meaningfully lower the risks associated with market participation. The logic is straightforward: time in the market provides room to learn from modest missteps before larger sums are at stake. This philosophy aligns with a broader global consensus that financial education should begin early, but in Saudi Arabia it carries added significance as the Kingdom reshapes its economy away from oil dependence.

The Capital Market Authority, established as the regulator of Saudi Arabia’s capital markets, has increasingly positioned itself as an enabler of youth participation rather than merely a supervisor of transactions. The CMA’s “Thameen” program exemplifies this approach, offering written and visual educational materials designed to demystify investing for young audiences. In addition, the authority collaborates with universities to organize field visits and workshops that give students direct exposure to investing concepts and potential career paths in finance. These initiatives reflect a recognition that a well-informed investor base is essential for deep, liquid, and stable markets.

The Misk Global Forum itself forms part of a wider ecosystem of youth-focused programs in the Kingdom. Misk, founded under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to empower young people, foster global cultural and intellectual exchanges, and drive positive impact. By hosting sessions such as “By Youth for Youth,” the forum creates a space where young participants can engage directly with senior officials and gain insights that might otherwise take years to acquire. For international observers, this represents a notable shift: Saudi youth are being actively courted as participants in, not just beneficiaries of, the Kingdom’s economic future.

Key Details

What specific advice did the CMA Chairman offer to young people contemplating their first steps into financial markets? Elkuwaiz recommended starting small and diversifying, a strategy that spreads risk while building familiarity with market dynamics. He noted that confidence and growing knowledge can help lower risks, suggesting that education and experience are as important as capital. This pragmatic message avoids promising quick riches and instead emphasizes discipline, patience, and continuous learning — values that resonate across cultures and market conditions.

The “Thameen” program stands out as a concrete tool for delivering that education. By providing accessible written and visual materials, the CMA reaches young people who may not have prior exposure to financial concepts. The authority’s collaboration with universities extends this reach further, embedding financial literacy into the student experience through field visits and workshops. These efforts are designed not only to produce better investors but also to illuminate career opportunities in asset management, brokerage, financial analysis, and regulatory affairs — sectors that are expanding as Saudi Arabia’s capital markets grow.

Elkuwaiz also underscored the importance of the financial market to achieving Vision 2030’s goal of economic diversification. The market, he explained, provides a platform for young people to invest their savings in projects and innovative ideas worldwide. This global outlook is significant: it signals that Saudi youth are encouraged to think beyond domestic borders, participating in international investment opportunities while contributing to the development of new sectors and cities at home. The financial market thus becomes a two-way bridge — attracting foreign investment into Saudi Arabia while enabling Saudi citizens to engage with global markets.

International and Regional Impact

How might Saudi Arabia’s push for youth financial literacy influence the broader Middle East and beyond? The Kingdom’s approach could serve as a model for regional peers seeking to deepen their own capital markets and engage younger populations. Across the Middle East, youth unemployment remains a challenge, and financial markets offer one avenue for productive engagement. By emphasizing education and early participation, Saudi Arabia is addressing both the supply side — creating informed investors — and the demand side — fostering a culture where saving and investing are valued.

Internationally, the message from the Misk Global Forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to global cultural and intellectual exchange. The presence of international participants and the forum’s focus on cross-border dialogue demonstrate that the Kingdom seeks not isolation but integration. For global investors and institutions, this is a reassuring signal: a more financially literate Saudi population can support deeper, more sophisticated markets, which in turn can attract higher-quality foreign investment. The CMA’s educational initiatives thus have implications that extend well beyond individual investors, touching the overall attractiveness of the Saudi market as a destination for capital.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why does the participation of young people in financial markets matter for Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic strategy? Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, build new sectors and cities, and attract investments. A vibrant capital market is central to those goals because it channels savings into productive enterprises, provides exit opportunities for entrepreneurs, and offers a mechanism for sharing risk. When young people participate, they bring fresh capital, new ideas, and a longer investment horizon — all of which can contribute to market stability and growth.

Moreover, early engagement helps build a culture of financial responsibility that complements other Vision 2030 initiatives in housing, employment, and quality of life. A young person who understands investing is better equipped to plan for retirement, manage personal finances, and contribute to the national savings pool. Over time, this can reduce reliance on government support and foster a more self-reliant society. The CMA’s work, therefore, is not just about market regulation; it is about shaping a generation that sees itself as an active stakeholder in the Kingdom’s economic future.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does the CMA Chairman’s message fit into the larger narrative of Saudi Vision 2030? At its core, Vision 2030 is about empowering citizens, diversifying income sources, and positioning the Kingdom as a global investment hub. The financial market is one of the key enablers of that vision, and youth are the primary beneficiaries and participants. By encouraging early entry and providing educational resources like “Thameen,” the CMA is directly supporting the vision’s human capital development goals. The Misk Global Forum, with its emphasis on youth empowerment and global exchange, amplifies that message on an international stage.

Looking ahead, the continued success of these initiatives will depend on sustained collaboration between regulators, educational institutions, and the private sector. The CMA has laid a foundation; universities and financial firms can build on it by offering internships, mentorship, and real-world investment experiences. As more young Saudis enter the market, they will help deepen liquidity, improve corporate governance through active ownership, and attract further foreign interest. In this way, the early-start philosophy championed by Elkuwaiz becomes a virtuous cycle — benefiting individuals, the market, and the nation as a whole. For international readers, the takeaway is clear: Saudi Arabia is investing in its youth as partners in a diversified, globally connected economy, and the financial market is one of the most direct channels for that investment to bear fruit.

20 Questions

Q1. Who is the Chairman of the Capital Market Authority?

A1. Mohammed bin Abdullah Elkuwaiz serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia.

Q2. What event did the CMA Chairman recently address?

A2. He addressed the Misk Global Forum, a major youth-focused event organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation.

Q3. What was the main message to young people?

A3. He urged youth to start investing early to offset mistakes that might occur later in life.

Q4. What session did the CMA Chairman speak in?

A4. He spoke in a session titled “By Youth for Youth” at the Misk Global Forum.

Q5. What investment strategy did he recommend?

A5. He recommended beginning with small, diversified investments to gain knowledge and lower risks.

Q6. What is the “Thameen” program?

A6. It is a CMA initiative that educates young investors through various written and visual materials.

Q7. How does the CMA collaborate with universities?

A7. The CMA organizes field visits and workshops to provide students with insights into investing and career paths.

Q8. Why is the financial market important for Vision 2030?

A8. It supports economic diversification, builds new sectors and cities, and attracts investments.

Q9. What global opportunities did Elkuwaiz mention?

A9. He noted that the financial market allows youth to invest in projects and innovative ideas worldwide.

Q10. What is the Misk Global Forum?

A10. It is a platform organized by the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation to empower youth and foster global exchanges.

Q11. What are the objectives of Misk?

A11. Misk aims to empower youths, foster cultural and intellectual exchanges, and drive positive impact.

Q12. How can early investing help young people?

A12. It allows them to learn from small mistakes, build confidence, and grow knowledge to reduce risks.

Q13. What role does the CMA play in financial education?

A13. The CMA provides educational materials and collaborates with universities to promote financial literacy.

Q14. What career paths can young investors explore?

A14. They can explore careers in asset management, brokerage, financial analysis, and regulatory affairs.

Q15. How does the CMA support economic diversification?

A15. By fostering a vibrant capital market, the CMA helps channel savings into productive enterprises and new sectors.

Q16. What is the significance of the “By Youth for Youth” session?

A16. It directly engages young people with senior officials, offering practical insights and inspiration.

Q17. How does the Misk Global Forum align with Vision 2030?

A17. It supports youth empowerment and global exchange, key pillars of Vision 2030’s human capital development.

Q18. What benefits does youth participation bring to the market?

A18. It brings fresh capital, new ideas, and a longer investment horizon, contributing to market stability and growth.

Q19. What is the long-term impact of financial literacy on Saudi society?

A19. It builds a culture of financial responsibility, reduces reliance on government support, and fosters self-reliance.

Q20. How can international observers interpret this development?

A20. It signals Saudi Arabia’s commitment to a diversified, globally connected economy and youth as partners in its future.

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