Saudi Arabia opens May round of Sah savings sukuk with 4.66% return

05/05/2025 01:52 AST

Saudi Arabia launched the May issuance of its Sah savings sukuk, offering retail investors a fixed return of 4.66 percent as the government continues to push savings participation.

The sukuk, part of the country's broader local bond program, is issued by the Ministry of Finance and managed by the National Debt Management Center. It is available for subscription from May 4 at 10:00 a.m. until May 6 at 3:00 p.m. local time, the NDMC said in a statement.

As part of the Vision 2030 Financial Sector Development Program, the initiative aims to boost personal savings by encouraging regular fiscal habits, expanding product access, and promoting financial literacy to support future goal planning.

The offering, denominated in riyals, also supports the goal of raising the national savings rate from 6 percent to 10 percent by the decade's end.

The sukuk carries a one-year maturity and can be purchased in increments of SR1,000 ($266), with a cumulative cap of SR200,000 per individual across all program issuances.

Allocation is scheduled for May 13, with redemption occurring between May 18 and 20. Payments will be disbursed on May 25.

The Sah sukuk is accessible through digital platforms operated by SNB Capital, Al Rajhi Capital, and AlJazira Capital, as well as Alinma Investment and SAB Invest.

The May issuance of the Sah savings product follows the fourth round issued in April, which offered a 4.88 percent return under the Ijarah sukuk structure. Available through the digital platforms of approved financial institutions, the bonds featured a one-year savings term with fixed returns payable at maturity. The minimum subscription was SR1,000, with a maximum cumulative limit of SR200,000 per user across all issuances during the program period.

Sah is Saudi Arabia's first Shariah-compliant savings instrument for individuals. Structured under the Ijarah model - where returns are derived from leasing-based assets - the product is designed to offer a low-risk, fixed-income alternative with no fees and exemption from Zakat.

Returns are paid upon maturity, with early redemptions allowed during set windows but without profit entitlement.

NDMC CEO Hani Al-Madini said in March that Sah that the sukuk serves as a catalyst for private sector cooperation and participation in developing and launching various savings products tailored to diverse demographics. These initiatives could involve partnerships with banks, fund managers, financial technology companies, and more.

In late February, the NDMC confirmed it would continue using the Ijarah format for future issuances to provide accessible, low-risk savings solutions.

Arab News