RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA -- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved, February 20, 2025, the Saudi riyal symbol; a historic move that will reinforce the Saudi currency’s identity.

The Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, extends his profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for launching the Saudi riyal symbol.

Al-Sayari noted that this decision reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity, locally, regionally, and internationally. He indicated that the implementation of the new symbol will be gradual for financial and commercial transactions, with coordination across all relevant entities.

Al-Sayari said this initiative aims to promote the national identity and cultural belonging, highlight the role of the national currency, and showcase the Kingdom among major global economies and G20 members. In addition, the initiative signifies the increasingly important role of the national currency in the global financial ecosystem.

The Governor acknowledged the collaborative efforts that have facilitated this achievement, extending his appreciation to all contributing entities involved in the symbol’s development project led by SAMA, including the Ministry of Culture; the Ministry of Media; and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization.

The Saudi riyal symbol, developed to the highest technical standards, embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, carrying the name of our national currency “Riyal” in a design derived from Arabic calligraphy. The symbol will streamline the representation of the Saudi riyal in local, regional, and international contexts, making it suitable for use in referring to the Saudi riyal in all financial and commercial transactions.

As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 agenda, the launch of the symbol solidifies the importance of the Kingdom’s financial system and its increasing role regionally and internationally.