How a Musk–Saudi Partnership Could Send FLSA Higher
- Michael Porter
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If you follow global markets, you’ve probably noticed how certain geopolitical and tech collaborations can move entire regions of the world. One of the most interesting speculative setups right now involves two major forces: Elon Musk and Saudi Arabia. While nothing is confirmed, even the possibility of a collaboration between Musk’s companies and the Saudi government has people watching closely.
And surprisingly, one of the potential beneficiaries isn’t a single stock — it’s the Franklin FTSE Saudi Arabia ETF (FLSA).Here’s why.
Saudi Arabia Has the Energy the AI World Is Desperate For
Every day we hear about AI breakthroughs, bigger models, more data, and more computing power. What doesn’t get talked about enough is the energy crisis behind AI. These massive data centers consume unbelievable amounts of electricity — in some cases, enough to power tens of thousands of homes.
Countries like the U.S. and those in Europe are starting to hit a wall:
Not enough grid capacity
Not enough land
Slow permitting
Soaring energy costs
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is sitting on insane levels of available energy. Their oil and gas capacity, combined with a willingness to build new power plants and industrial zones, gives them something the West doesn’t: room to scale AI infrastructure without choking the grid.
So if someone like Elon Musk wants to train next-gen AI models, launch robotics centers, or build Starlink-related infrastructure in the Middle East… Saudi Arabia is the obvious place.
And when you invest in FLSA, you’re investing in the entire Saudi economic ecosystem that benefits from these mega-projects.
Why Musk + Saudi Arabia Makes Sense
People forget that Musk already has a long history with the region. Saudi Arabia has invested billions into futuristic projects, from smart cities to renewable-energy farms to tech infrastructure. They want to diversify away from oil — and they’re willing to spend whatever it takes to do it.
If Musk brings AI, robotics, space-tech, or data-center projects into the country, here’s who stands to benefit inside FLSA’s portfolio:
Energy and utility companies → powering new data centers
Industrial and materials companies → building the physical infrastructure
Telecom companies → handling data and connectivity
Banks and financial institutions → financing and underwriting the projects
FLSA is essentially a basket that captures all of these sectors.
So instead of betting on one Saudi company, the ETF gives you diversified exposure to the entire wave of potential growth.
Saudi Arabia Is Spending Billions on Becoming a Tech Super-Hub
This is not a country waiting for opportunity — they’re actively manufacturing it.
Saudi leadership repeatedly states that AI, automation, cloud computing, and digital transformation are major pillars of their future economy. They’re pouring money into:
NEOM and “The Line”
Massive 24/7 data-center zones
Renewable-energy megaprojects
New financial and industrial districts
Universities and tech incubators
If a Musk partnership happens, it would accelerate everything they’re already planning.
And when the country scales, Saudi stocks scale with it — which boosts FLSA.
The Under-the-Radar Benefit: FLSA Could Attract Re-Allocation
Right now, global funds are underweight Saudi Arabia. Many emerging-market ETFs barely include it, and some ignore it altogether.
But if the headlines start showing things like:
“Musk breaks ground on AI center in Saudi Arabia”“Saudi Arabia becomes world’s fastest-growing data hub”
…a massive wave of investment could shift toward the region.
ETFs like FLSA would be the first stop for U.S. investors who want easy exposure. And inflows alone can push the price up.
What’s the Risk?
This is still speculation. A Musk–Saudi partnership isn’t guaranteed, and emerging-market investing always carries currency, political, and economic risk.
But the upside scenario is clearly defined:
AI needs energy
Saudi Arabia has the energy
Musk needs scale
Saudi Arabia wants global tech partners
FLSA benefits from broad exposure to the exact sectors that would gain from this growth
It’s not a wild moonshot — it’s a logical macro thesis.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a unique way to play global tech expansion — without chasing individual volatile stocks — FLSA offers a surprisingly compelling angle. Saudi Arabia’s energy capacity and massive national investments could easily intersect with Musk’s future ambitions.
And if that happens, FLSA becomes one of the cleanest and simplest ways to gain exposure.