Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 27 October 2026: iMENA Holding, a Saudi-headquartered regional technology group that operates leading digital marketplace platforms, announced the appointment of Sara Al-AlShaikh as Chief Executive Officer, who assumed the role in April 2026.
The appointment comes as iMENA enters its next phase of growth, focused on strengthening its Saudi operations, scaling its businesses across the Kingdom and advancing its evolution into an integrated regional technology group. Through its businesses, including OpenSooq, SellAnyCar and Jeeny; iMENA aims to build on its established presence across the Middle East and North Africa while placing Saudi Arabia at the center of its long-term growth strategy.
Founded with the ambition of building and operating leading digital businesses, iMENA platforms serve over 100 million users across the region, spanning key sectors including online classifieds, automotive marketplaces, and mobility services. Its next phase will focus on scaling these businesses, strengthening their integration, and expanding their contribution to the Kingdom's growing digital economy, with the Group targeting Saudi Arabia to account for 50% of its aggregate revenue by the end of 2026.
Al-AlShaikh brings more than a decade of experience across financial services, investments, and institutional development in Saudi Arabia. Her appointment strengthens iMENA's leadership as the Group pursues greater integration across its businesses, expands its regional reach, and builds on opportunities emerging from the Kingdom's economic transformation under Vision 2030.
As CEO, Al-AlShaikh leads the strategic execution and growth of the Group, with a focus on scaling its businesses in the Kingdom and aligning the holding company and its operating companies behind its objectives. Working closely with the leadership teams of its subsidiaries, including OpenSooq, SellAnyCar and Jeeny, she oversees group-wide performance, governance and internal controls, and strategic partnerships, while strengthening engagement with key government, regulatory, and business stakeholders in Saudi Arabia.
Nasir Alsharif, Chairman of iMENA Holding, said: "iMENA was established with a clear ambition to build and operate some of the region's leading digital businesses. Today, we have a strong platform, significant regional reach, and a growing presence in Saudi Arabia. Our next chapter is about bringing these strengths together under one integrated group, with Saudi Arabia at the centre of our growth strategy. Sara brings a strong combination of strategic leadership, experience in value creation and a deep understanding of the Saudi business landscape. Her appointment reflects our commitment to building a stronger Saudi-headquartered organization capable of competing and growing across the region."
Commenting on her appointment, Sara Al-AlShaikh, Chief Executive Officer of iMENA Holding, said: "Saudi Arabia is home to a new generation of businesses with the ambition and capabilities to compete on a regional and global scale. Vision 2030 has created significant opportunities for Saudi technology businesses to grow, innovate, and expand their reach across the region. iMENA has the foundations to be part of that story, with established digital platforms, millions of users, and a growing contribution from the Saudi market. My priority is building one integrated group from strong individual businesses, creating value across the group, scaling our platforms in the Kingdom, and strengthen our position as a Saudi-based regional technology group. Saudi Arabia is where our next phase of growth will be built, and we intend to contribute meaningfully to its digital economy."
Prior to joining iMENA, Al-AlShaikh spent nearly a decade at Watar Partners, an independent financial advisory firm serving ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth families in Saudi Arabia. Having joined during the firm's early stages in 2016, she progressed to Chief Operating Officer and subsequently Partner, playing a central role in developing its institutional structure and strategic direction. She continues to serve as a Non-Executive Board Member at Watar Partners.
Earlier in her career, Al-AlShaikh held roles within the Asset & Wealth Management division of Deutsche Bank Saudi Arabia, where she managed key client accounts and supported the alignment of local operations with the bank’s global business standards.
Al-AlShaikh holds a bachelor’s degree from King Saud University and an Executive MBA from London Business School.
About iMENA Holding
Established in 2013, iMENA Holding CJSC is a Saudi-headquartered regional technology group and a closed joint stock company registered in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Group operates leading digital marketplace platforms across more than 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, connecting millions of users and businesses across key sectors of the digital economy.
iMENA’s businesses include OpenSooq, a leading regional online classifieds marketplace; SellAnyCar, an online automotive trading platform; and Jeeny, a ride-hailing platform.
Leveraging advances in technology, data analytics and AI-driven capabilities, iMENA focuses on scaling its businesses, enhancing operational efficiency and creating long-term value. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the Group aims to support the Kingdom’s digital transformation and economic diversification while strengthening its position as a Saudi-headquartered regional technology leader.
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