• ACES, the first Saudi portfolio company of ewpartners, delivered cutting-edge telecom infrastructure for the Riyadh Metro.
• The Riyadh Metro is the largest in the Middle East and the longest driverless train in the world.
• ACES played a pivotal role in the project by installing a neutral host infrastructure, Wi-Fi
network, and managing the installation and operation of screens across both the trains and stations.!

Riyadh, 5 December 2024

The Riyadh Metro, the world’s largest single-phase metro project and longest driverless metro system, officially commenced operations on December 1, marking a historic milestone for Saudi Arabia’s urban transformation under Vision 2030.
At the heart of this achievement is ACES, a leading Saudi telecom infrastructure provider and a portfolio company of ewpartners, a global leader in cross-border investments. ACES delivered advanced telecom solutions, including neutral host infrastructure, Wi-Fi networks, and digital displays, enabling seamless connectivity and an enhanced commuter experience.
Dr. Akram Aburas, CEO of ACES, highlighted the company’s role at the metro’s inauguration:
"Guided by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, ACES is proud to have been an ICT partner in transformative projects like the Riyadh Metro. These accomplishments underscore our leadership in advanced telecom and digital infrastructure and reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence."
According to the Riyadh Royal Commission (RCRC), the Riyadh Metro spans 176 kilometers, includes 85 stations, and is fully powered by renewable energy. Designed to transport up to 3.6 million passengers daily, the system is set to reduce traffic congestion by 30%, stimulate investment, and generate thousands of jobs, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and reduced oil dependency.
This project is more than a transportation milestone—it’s a step toward building smarter, more connected cities, improving the quality of life, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in infrastructure innovation.

Driving Innovation and Connectivity

Beyond the Riyadh Metro, ACES is advancing Saudi Arabia’s digital and telecom infrastructure through its key national projects, including the Grand Mosque in Mecca and Riyadh and Jeddah International Airports. Recognized by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) as one of the fastest-growing companies in Saudi Arabia, ACES is at the forefront of innovation.
The company is expanding its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, targeting 23,000 homes in Riyadh by the end of 2024, and plans to launch Open Access Fiber-to-the-Business (FTTB) services by 2025. With its focus on IoT and data center infrastructure, ACES aims to become a comprehensive digital infrastructure provider, aligning with Vision 2030’s aspirations to position Saudi Arabia as a global technology leader.

Global Expansion with ewpartners’ Support

As the first Saudi local company to receive investment from ewpartners, ACES has expanded its footprint internationally, executing major projects like telecom infrastructure for Bangalore International Airport and Mumbai Metro in India. These achievements highlight Saudi Arabia’s potential to export innovation globally.
Jessica Wong, Founder and Managing Partner of ewpartners, and a Board Member of ACES, expressed her pride in the partnership: "ACES is the first Saudi local company we’ve invested in, and we are proud of its remarkable achievements. Over the past four years, we've supported its international expansion and the development of new businesses. ACES exemplifies how Saudi companies can succeed on a global stage."
This sentiment was echoed during the 2025 Budget Forum, where His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted ACES’s success in international markets. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman remarked: "Whenever I see exports, I see competition, I see success. This is one of the great stories."

Positioning Saudi Arabia as a Global Innovation Hub

ACES’s contributions to the Riyadh Metro and other giga projects showcase Saudi Arabia’s leadership in technology and infrastructure. As global mobile data traffic triples by 2029 and 5G adoption accelerates, ACES is positioned to capitalize on these trends, driving growth and innovation.
ewpartners remains committed to supporting ACES’s journey, delivering impactful solutions that contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and Vision 2030.

About ewpartners

ewpartners (formerly eWTP Arabia Capital) is an international investment firm specialising in cross-border investments between Asia and the MENA region. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the firm has been active in Saudi Arabia since 2017 and was the first investment firm to launch a cross-border platform between the Kingdom and China.
Headquartered in Riyadh, ewpartners focuses on building value across borders by establishing strategic partnerships with exceptional companies. Our team's expertise in shaping innovative conducive policy frameworks can support governments in fostering economic transformation and diversification driven by innovation and technology.
ewpartners is committed to investing in, supporting, and growing successful businesses across the Asia and MENA regions, with a focus on key industries and themes such as digital infrastructure & solutions, advanced manufacturing & energy transition, and logistics & consumer enablement.
https://ewpartners.fund/

About ACES

ACES as an International Neutral Digital Infrastructure Company with the vision to diversify its portfolio and continue evolving as a Champion Neutral Host Operator, Managed Service provider, and a Full Turnkey System Integrator undertaking EPC contracts while enhancing its technical capabilities by partnering and investing in R&D and patents to promote localization and local manufacturing.