Introduction:

In recent years, countries worldwide have witnessed both overt and covert competition in integrating technology into individuals' daily transactions, particularly in governmental and administrative dealings—what is known as digital governance or digital transformation. It has become evident that technology revolutionizes any field it is integrated into, making processes easier, faster, and smarter. Governmental and administrative transactions, particularly, have received the most attention, with extensive efforts to accelerate digital transformation.

Instead of citizens having to visit the relevant authority, wait their turn for minutes or hours, approach the assigned officer to request a service, and wait again for the outcome, digital governance services have streamlined this entire process. Now, transactions can be completed digitally via mobile phones or computers in just minutes, anywhere in the country.

It is easy to anticipate that such a significant initiative—one that simplifies citizens' lives and enhances government efficiency—would be a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The Kingdom launched the National Transformation Program in 2016 as the first initiative under Vision 2030, with digital transformation at its core. The program aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader by focusing on a broad range of priorities, most notably empowering the private sector, achieving governmental excellence, and fostering economic partnerships.

So, which sectors have been included in Saudi Arabia’s digitalization efforts? And what achievements have been made in these areas?

Sectors Covered by Digital Transformation

Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in digital transformation, rapidly expanding the adoption of digital technologies across various sectors to keep pace with the accelerating global advancements in this field. This shift plays a crucial role in enabling organizations and governments to streamline and expedite access to services, allowing individuals to obtain them through digital channels within minutes—eliminating the need for traditional methods.

For instance, starting a business in the Kingdom now takes just 30 minutes, while obtaining a commercial registration requires only three minutes. Additionally, individuals can attend virtual court sessions remotely from home or anywhere else.

These advancements have not only made services more accessible to citizens and residents but have also created new job opportunities in emerging sectors that previously did not exist. Moreover, women have gained unprecedented empowerment opportunities, leading to their accelerated participation in the labor market. Employment rates for people with disabilities have also surged to record levels, reflecting the transformative impact of digitalization on society.

Key Sectors Transformed by Digitalization

1- Justice Sector

The Saudi Ministry of Justice has embraced electronic judicial sessions, eliminating the need for in-person court appearances. So far, over 8.9 million remote sessions have been held, alongside digital litigation services and electronic notarization.

Additionally, the "Nafaqah Fund" online platform has benefited 19,000 citizens, while the "Taradhi" reconciliation platform has served 3 million Saudis, facilitating 1.6 million virtual mediation sessions to date.

2- Healthcare Sector

The Ministry of Health's website attracted 8 million visitors in 2024. The "Mawidy" app, which enables online medical appointments, has 30 million registered users. The 937 Health Contact Center has handled over 2 million teleconsultations. The "Wasfaty" prescription platform, which connects hospitals and healthcare centers with pharmacies to ensure medication availability, links 2,218 healthcare centers, 237 hospitals, and 4,784 pharmacies across the Kingdom.

3- Municipal & Housing Sector

Three key digital platforms have streamlined municipal and housing services: The "Balady" platform offers 250+ e-services, completing 1.25 million transactions and issuing 36,000+ commercial licenses. The "Ejar" platform has processed 8 million digital rental contracts. The "Sakani" program has helped 9,970 Saudi families secure housing solutions.

4- Ministry of Finance Services

The "Etimad" digital platform has benefited over 3 million citizens, issuing more than 850,000 payment orders and 400,000 service contracts. It collaborates with 500+ government entities to offer 70+ digital products and services, streamlining financial processes and reducing bureaucratic delays.

5- Education Sector

The "Madrasti" online learning platform serves 5 million students, providing 537 million virtual classes, 6 billion assignments, and 2 billion tests. The "Ain Educational Channels" have amassed 462 million views across 24 satellite learning channels. The launch of "Ain Duroos" on YouTube has further strengthened online education, complementing "Madrasti," "Rawdati," and the National Education Portal (Ain).

6- Charity Sector

Saudi Arabia's digital transformation extends to charitable work, with three major online platforms facilitating donations: "Ehsan," "Tabarou," and "Sahim." These platforms have collectively raised $4.8 billion in donations, ensuring efficient and transparent aid distribution.

7- Hajj & Umrah Sector

The "Nusuk" platform offers 25 digital services to simplify the pilgrimage experience, covering everything from permits and reservations to internal transportation and guidance. So far, it has issued 31.7 million Umrah permits electronically.

8- Human Resources Sector

The "Qiwa" platform provides 130 e-services, including visas and work permits, benefiting 7.7 million users. The "Ajeer" platform has facilitated over 1 million digital contracts, serving 210,000 Saudi citizens. The "Marn" platform for flexible work has processed 100,000+ transactions, benefiting 15,000+ individuals. Other notable platforms include "Freelance" and "Telework" further expanding employment opportunities in the Kingdom.

These are the smartest and most efficient ways to access the desired service or goal. Saudi Arabia didn’t achieve these remarkable digital transformation milestones overnight—it has been the result of years of continuous efforts, with many more to come.

The National Digital Transformation Strategy is a long-term initiative that began in 2006 and will continue until 2030. This underscores the fact that Saudi Arabia’s digitalization efforts were already in motion long before Vision 2030 was introduced. When the vision was formally outlined in 2016, the National Transformation Program (NTP) was prioritized, focusing on developing the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure to achieve its ambitious digital transformation goals.

Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation Achievements in 2024

At the end of 2024, the "Digital Government Authority" released key statistics and rankings on digital transformation and governance via its official account on Platform X, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress in the field:

1. Ranked 4th globally in digital services.
2. Maintained its top position in the ESCWA Government Services Maturity Index for electronic and mobile services in the MENA region for the second consecutive year.
3. Ranked 8th globally in the Waseda Digital Government Index (DGI).
4. Secured 6th place globally in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI).
5. Achieved 1st place globally in the UN Open Government Data Index (OGDI).
6. Hosted the 19th UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh.
7. Received global recognition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its leadership in digital transformation.