Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, while Pakistani technology startups secured a $400,000 investment and several commercial partnerships at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh.
More than 75 Pakistani startups and technology companies participated in the major technology conference, held from August 31 to September 3 under the Tech Destination Pakistan banner. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja led Pakistan’s delegation.
During the event, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in cybersecurity. The agreement will facilitate the exchange of expertise, knowledge and best practices to help both countries respond to emerging cyber threats.
Pakistan also organized one of its largest national delegations at LEAP 2026 to promote its growing technology ecosystem, attract international investment, establish business partnerships and expand market access for local technology companies.
Khawaja inaugurated the Tech Destination Pakistan Pavilion, which featured 25 startups and more than 50 Pakistani technology companies offering solutions in artificial intelligence, automation and other digital technologies.
Several Pakistani startups announced investment and commercial agreements during the conference. Edversity, an Ignite-supported startup operating under the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, secured $400,000 in investment from Rapidev Group. The funding will support the company’s international expansion and help scale its AI-powered education platform.
Meanwhile, Office Flow AI signed an Incubation Partnership Agreement with Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) to develop and expand its AI-powered business automation platform across the region. The startup also entered into a separate agreement with Saudi technology services company MIS Arabia.
Eight Pakistani startups also graduated from Cohort 01 of AstroLabs LEAP, a 12-week soft-landing accelerator delivered through BridgeStart Pakistan, Ignite and AstroLabs with support from the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication.
During her visit, Khawaja delivered a keynote address titled “How We Built a Digital Nation,” highlighting Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda, the Digital Nation Pakistan Act and investments in connectivity and 5G infrastructure.
She also discussed government reforms aimed at attracting technology investment under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s digitalisation agenda, with support from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Khawaja participated in the panel “Governing Growth: Building Human-Centered Digital Economies in an AI-Driven Era,” alongside ministers and senior officials from several countries and the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO).
The federal minister also held bilateral meetings with Saudi, Algerian and South Korean officials, as well as senior executives from Saudi Arabia’s technology and digital sectors. Discussions focused on digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, investment and technology partnerships.
Pakistan’s participation at LEAP 2026 was aimed at strengthening international technology partnerships, promoting the country’s digital talent and startup ecosystem, attracting foreign investment and creating greater opportunities for Pakistani technology companies in global markets.
