Saudi Arabia has achieved significant recognition in the UN digital services index, ranking first in the region and fourth globally. The Kingdom climbed 25 spots in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024, establishing itself as a global leader.
Within the G20 countries, Saudi Arabia secured the second position and ranked seventh in the e-participation index. Riyadh, the capital city, was placed third among 193 global cities.
Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, attributed this success to the support from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. He highlighted that this achievement aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s role in the digital economy.
Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority (DGA), emphasized that the Kingdom’s progress in the EGDI is a result of the leadership’s commitment to providing top-notch digital government services. He noted that the reforms and investments under Saudi Vision 2030 have significantly improved the Kingdom’s ranking.
The DGA’s collaboration with various government agencies has been instrumental in adopting advanced digital solutions, launching regulations, and fostering digital transformation. The UN report commended Saudi Arabia for its development in digital government, placing it sixth globally. The Kingdom has made substantial strides in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII) and the Human Capital Index (HCI).
Saudi Arabia’s Online Service Index (OSI) saw a remarkable leap, moving up 67 places to rank fourth globally in 2024. The maturity of digital government regulations and the accessibility of open government data both achieved 100 percent. The Kingdom also advanced significantly in e-participation and consultations.
The EGDI, a crucial international indicator for over 20 years, is published biennially and measures the impact of digital government reforms on productivity and efficiency among UN member states.