Latest news with #DigitalGovernmentAuthority
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Health, military spending lift Saudi ICT contracts to $10bn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's health, military, and infrastructure sectors led an 18.75 percent rise in government information and communications technology contracts in 2024, reaching SR38 billion ($10.13 billion), official data showed. According to the Government Spending Report 2024, published by the Digital Government Authority, the value of contracts climbed from SR32 billion in 2023, with the health and social development sector receiving SR6.54 billion through 1,085 contracts. The report said that 2024 spending priorities focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and cloud computing, positioning these areas as central to enhancing operational performance across public sector entities. The government's sustained push to bolster digital services underscores Riyadh's growing investment in digital infrastructure, part of its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and modernize public services. The report added that activating national framework agreements significantly contributed to these outcomes, enabling improved negotiation capabilities and more effective financial planning. 'These tools have enabled government entities to obtain goods and services more quickly, efficiently, and at lower cost,' the report said. 'They also highlight the added value achieved by enhancing supply chains and improving the quality of procurement, which in turn raises the efficiency of government entities in managing expenditures in contracts and agreements,' it also said. Among other sectors, the military received SR5.16 billion across 1,125 contracts, while infrastructure and transport saw investments totaling SR5.26 billion. The education sector was allocated SR4.37 billion, followed by economic resources at SR3.42 billion, and public administration at SR2.39 billion. There was a 157 percent increase in purchase orders through national framework agreements, amounting to SR4.47 billion through 9,457 orders. The report said these tools helped accelerate service delivery and improve procurement quality. Government agencies achieved an estimated SR1 billion in savings during 2024 by improving spending efficiency and optimizing procurement and budgeting practices. Saudi Arabia also continued to demonstrate global leadership in digital government performance. It ranked sixth globally and first regionally in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index, climbing 25 places from 2022. It also topped the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index for the third consecutive year, achieving a score of 96 percent. According to the report, and based on data from global research firm Gartner, Saudi Arabia led all countries in government ICT spending as a share of total ICT expenditure in 2024, reaching 34.1 percent.
Leaders
20-06-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Generative AI Will Create New Job Opportunities: Study
Saudi Arabia's Digital Government Authority (DGA) has released a recent study tackling the current state of the AI's adoption and the possible economic impact. Titled 'Generative AI in Digital Government Business', DGA's study explores the key challenges and recommendations for decision makers and involved stakeholders. It also focuses on how to leverage from the solutions of the generative artificial intelligence at the local level and how to employ them to elevate government services. Importantly, the study anticipates that the expected contribution of AI to the gross domestic product by 2030 will be $135 billion. Moreover, the Saudi authorities revealed that investment in AI will reach $40 billion. 90% of AI experts see that generative AI will create new job opportunities. Benefits of Generative AI Apart from this, the study discusses the benefits of using the generative AI in government sectors. The adoption will accelerate the development of software solutions through the preparation of reusable code sets and automation of debugging. It will also reduce operational costs by automating repetitive tasks and allow resource reallocation. By automating routine tasks such as document and report preparation, the generative AI will increase productivity and boost operational efficiency. Depending on generative AI techniques will also improve decision making and provide real-time access to sensitive data for legal teams and intelligence operations. Moreover, it will provide customers with smooth and seamless experiences by automating virtual support solutions. In the light of all these factors, the use of generative AI will encourage innovation by creating new ideas for public programs and analyzing comprehensive data sets to identify emerging trends and introduce advanced policies. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Launches Generative AI Training Initiative SDAIA: Generative AI Market Value Expected to Reach $1.27tn by 2032 SDAIA, KSU to Launch Generative Artificial Intelligence Forum Short link :
CairoScene
08-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia Ranks First in the MENA Region for E-Services
Saudi Arabia scored 96% in the 2024 Government E-Services Maturity Index for the Middle East and North Africa. Saudi Arabia has secured the top position in the 2024 Government E-Services Maturity Index for the Middle East and North Africa, as issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). With an overall score of 96%, the Kingdom maintains its lead for the third consecutive year. According to Hisham Al-Sheikh, Deputy Governor for Strategy and Partnerships at the Digital Government Authority, this achievement reflects Saudi Arabia's growing global stature in digital governance. He emphasised that the Kingdom's continued progress is driven by inter-agency collaboration and the strategic adoption of advanced technologies, establishing Saudi Arabia as a model in the field. Outperforming 16 regional peers, Saudi Arabia scored 99% in both the 'Service Availability and Development' and 'Public Access' categories, and 93% in 'Beneficiary Satisfaction', reflecting a high level of efficiency, accessibility, and user-centric design in its digital public services.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia tops in e-government services in MENA region for third year in a row
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia emerged topper among the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries in the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index, issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). This was for the third consecutive year Saudi Arabia is securing the top position in the MENA region with a high maturity rate of 96 percent in the overall assessment. Digital Government Authority Governor Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan affirmed that this achievement reflects the significant support and interest that the wise leadership has given to the digital government ecosystem, which has contributed to enhancing Saudi Arabia's position in international rankings. He also highlighted the pivotal role of integration among government agencies, their reliance on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and the launch of initiatives and digital products aimed at improving the beneficiaries' experience. Saudi Arabia has made significant progress since 2020, starting in fourth place, advancing to second in 2021, then taking the lead in 2022 and maintaining it in the 2023 and 2024 editions. This progress is attributed to substantial improvements in digital services across vital sectors such as health, education, and smart cities. Electronic healthcare solutions, such as digital prescriptions, appointment bookings through government platforms, and telehealth services, have improved access to services and increased beneficiary satisfaction. Additionally, digital educational services, including remote learning platforms and electronic university admissions, have enhanced users' ability to access government services with flexibility and high quality. Saudi Arabia outperformed 16 countries in the index, which was based on the maturity assessment of 100 priority government services provided to individuals and the business sector through electronic portals and smart applications. This was measured across three sub-indicators: a score of 99 percent in the Service Availability and Development indicator, 93 percent in the Service Usage and Beneficiary Satisfaction indicator, and 99 percent in the Public Outreach indicator. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Asharq Al-Awsat
05-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Tops MENA Region in E-Government Services for Third Consecutive Year in 2024
Saudi Arabia ranked first among Middle East and North African countries in the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index, issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), securing the top position for the third consecutive time with a high maturity rate of 96% in the overall assessment. Digital Government Authority Governor Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwaiyan stressed that this achievement reflects the significant support and interest that the wise leadership has given to the digital government ecosystem, which has contributed to enhancing Saudi Arabia's position in international rankings. He also highlighted the pivotal role of integration among government agencies, their reliance on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and the launch of initiatives and digital products aimed at improving the beneficiaries' experience. Saudi Arabia has made significant progress since 2020, starting in fourth place, advancing to second in 2021, then taking the lead in 2022 and maintaining it in the 2023 and 2024 editions. This progress is attributed to substantial improvements in digital services across vital sectors such as health, education, and smart cities. Electronic healthcare solutions, such as digital prescriptions, appointment bookings through government platforms, and telehealth services, have improved access to services and increased beneficiary satisfaction. Additionally, digital educational services, including remote learning platforms and electronic university admissions, have enhanced users' ability to access government services with flexibility and high quality. Saudi Arabia outperformed 16 countries in the index, which was based on the maturity assessment of 100 priority government services provided to individuals and the business sector through electronic portals and smart applications. This was measured across three sub-indicators: a score of 99% in the Service Availability and Development indicator, 93% in the Service Usage and Beneficiary Satisfaction indicator, and 99% in the Public Outreach indicator.
