Saudi Aramco runs one of the largest supply chains on earth. Getting on it requires one thing above all others: 9 com approval.

For manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and EPC contractors targeting Saudi Arabia’s energy sector, 9 com qualification is the entry point to Aramco’s procurement system. Without a 9 com number, your company simply does not appear in Aramco’s e-Marketplace, and Aramco’s procurement teams will never find you.

What Is the Aramco 9 Com List?

The 9 com list is Aramco’s official classification system for approved commodity suppliers. Once your 9 com approval is complete, you receive a unique number and are added to the much sought after Aramco Approved Vendor List (AVL), making you eligible to receive direct requests for quotation (rfqs) on major projects across the Kingdom.

The range of companies that need 9 com qualification is broad: manufacturers of piping, valves, electrical components, mechanical equipment, and structural materials, as well as equipment agents and EPC contractors working on Saudi projects.

Importantly, companies that already hold an Aramco vendor code still need a separate 9 com number to qualify for commodity-based procurement.

How Does the 9 Com Approval Process Work?

The 9 com approval process follows five stages. First, you submit an application through Aramco’s e-Marketplace platform.

Second, Aramco reviews your documentation against the relevant commodity category code, known as the 9CAT.

Third, a technical readiness review takes place, and in many cases this includes a physical site inspection of your manufacturing facility.

Fourth, once all checks are complete, your 9 com number is issued and you appear on the AVL.

Successful 9 com approval completion usually takes between three and six months, depending on category complexity and how complete your documents are at the time of submission.

Core documentation requirements include ISO 9001 certification, product-specific certifications, factory registration documents, and financial records. Requirements vary by commodity category.

What Does 9 Com Have to Do with Local Content?

The connection between 9 com approval and local content is direct and commercially significant. Local content, Aramco’s in-kingdom total value add program, measures how much of a supplier’s activity contributes to Saudi Arabia’s domestic economy.

In February 2026, Aramco announced it had reached its 70% local content target, up from just 35% in 2015, and has now set a new target of 75% by 2030. Suppliers with strong local content scores and Saudi manufacturing presence are given priority in procurement cycles.

If you plan your 9 com application with local content scoring in mind from the start, you improve both your chances of approval and your long-term commercial position.

The local content program has contributed more than $280 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP since its launch and has attracted investments from 35 countries in new in-kingdom manufacturing facilities.

EPS support provides end-to-end 9 com consultancy, from initial readiness assessments and 9cat selection to site inspection preparation and post-submission follow-up. If you want 9 com approval help before you apply, contact us at info@epssupport.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Saudi Aramco 9 com approval take?

The process usually takes three to six months, depending on your commodity category and document completeness. Missing or expired certificates are the most common cause of delays.

What certifications do I need for 9 com qualification?

Core requirements include ISO 9001, product-specific certifications, factory registration documents, and financial records. Exact requirements vary by 9CAT code.

If I already have an Aramco vendor code, do I still need 9 com approval?

Yes. A vendor code and a 9 com number are separate. Companies with an existing vendor code still need 9 com qualification to access commodity-based procurement on Aramco’s e-Marketplace.

What is a 9CAT code and why does it matter for my 9 com application?

A 9CAT code is the commodity category code your 9 com application is evaluated under. Selecting the wrong code is one of the most common reasons for failed 9 com applications, because your documentation must match that specific category.

Does Aramco 9 com approval also qualify me for SABIC procurement?

No. SABIC runs a completely separate qualification process, and Aramco 9 com approval does not carry over automatically.

On April 22, 2026, the Public Investment Fund approved its new five-year strategy. For any international company thinking seriously about Saudi Arabia, this is the most important signal of where capital is actually going for the next half-decade. Here is an honest breakdown, without the hype.

What Changed From the 2021–2025 Strategy

The scale of PIF-led construction contracts dropped sharply. During the previous cycle, PIF accounted for around 38% of major contract awards, with roughly $71 billion in total. Under the new strategy, that figure is closer to $30 billion, and PIF’s share of awards has fallen to approximately 14%.

The reason is straightforward: oil revenue pressure, a fiscal deficit running at around 3.3% of GDP, and a deliberate decision to bring in more private sector capital rather than funding everything directly. This is not a retreat. It is a recalibration.

The Three-Portfolio Structure

PIF’s new strategy organizes its work into three distinct portfolios. The Vision Portfolio focuses on six domestic ecosystems. The Strategic Portfolio holds the national champion companies. The Financial Portfolio covers global investments. For most foreign companies, the Vision Portfolio is where the relevant opportunities sit.

The Six Vision Portfolio Ecosystems

The six sectors receiving focus are: artificial intelligence and technology, tourism and hospitality, sports and entertainment, real estate, manufacturing, and mining. Each has active projects, funding commitments, and procurement pipelines. Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector now accounts for more than 50% of GDP, and Moody’s projects non-oil growth of 4.5% to 5.5% annually for the next five to ten years.

What Is Still Moving at Full Speed

Expo 2030 construction started in April 2026, with a $7.8 billion budget. Three FIFA 2034 stadiums are already under construction, with eight more planned. The 10th mining licensing round is opening. AI infrastructure is receiving serious, accelerated investment. These are not future promises. They are active programs with procurement activity happening now.

What Has Been Scaled Back

Some elements of the giga-project pipeline have been restructured. NEOM’s residential population targets were revised downward. Certain components with very long delivery horizons and unclear near-term returns have been reprioritized. Companies that built market entry plans around those specific elements will need to adjust their approach.

The Private Sector Opportunity

Here is the important part. PIF’s new model explicitly calls for increased private sector participation to fill the gap left by reduced direct PIF spending. That is the opening. Foreign companies that can bring capital, technology, or operational capability into these six ecosystems are exactly what the strategy is designed to attract. Between 2021 and 2024, PIF contributed $243 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP. The next phase is built on partnerships, not just public funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PIF’s new investment focus for 2026 to 2030?

PIF is concentrating on six domestic ecosystems: AI and technology, tourism, sports and entertainment, real estate, manufacturing, and mining. The strategy reduces direct public spending and opens more space for private sector partners.

Has Saudi Arabia slowed down on mega-projects?

Some have been restructured or delayed. However, high-priority programs like Expo 2030, FIFA 2034 infrastructure, and AI investment are fully active and on schedule.

What does the PIF strategy change mean for foreign investors?

It means the best opportunities are now in sectors where private capital and expertise are needed, rather than in direct government-funded construction contracts.

How does GDP growth in Saudi Arabia look for 2026?

The Saudi Ministry of Finance projects GDP growth of 4.4% to 4.6% for the fiscal year 2026, with strong non-oil sector performance driving most of that growth.

How should a foreign company align its entry strategy with PIF priorities?

Start by identifying which of the six Vision Portfolio ecosystems your business serves. Then build your registration, IKTVA compliance, and partnership approach around the specific procurement cycles in that sector.

Aligning your entry strategy with where PIF capital is actually flowing, rather than where it used to flow, is the difference between finding traction quickly and spending a year in the wrong conversations.

If you want to work through a PIF ecosystem alignment assessment for your business, reach out to the EPS team at info@epssupport.com.