Saudi Arabia has attributed its retention of the top position in the Middle East and North Africa region on the E-Government and Mobile Services Maturity Index for the fourth consecutive year to five key factors, according to Abdulwahab Al-Badah, the official spokesperson for the Digital Government Authority, in statements to Al-Eqtisadiah.

These factors include integrated work among government entities, the development of national digital infrastructure, the expansion of electronic services, the adoption of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, alongside a focus on improving the beneficiary experience and measuring satisfaction levels.

Al-Badah stated that Saudi Arabia's continued leadership in the index reflects a sustainable institutional transformation in government service development, emphasizing that this achievement goes beyond a temporary milestone to become an operational model focused on elevating service quality and enhancing efficiency within the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Thu, 23 2026

Al-Badah affirmed that this integrated ecosystem has contributed to consolidating a sustainable institutional model for digital transformation, pointing out that maintaining regional leadership for the fourth consecutive year reflects the success of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation journey.

He considered what has been achieved to be a sustainable institutional model, stating, "It is not a phased achievement, but a sustainable institutional work model focused on developing government services, raising their quality, and improving the beneficiary experience."

Also read: Saudi Arabia ranks first regionally in digital government services

Institutional transformation enhances achievement sustainability

Al-Badah further explained that maintaining the first place for the 4th consecutive year reflects the support enjoyed by the digital government ecosystem, and confirms the success of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation journey and its evolution into a sustainable institutional work model focused on the continuous development of government services, improving their quality, and enhancing the beneficiary experience.

He added that the continuation of regional leadership reflects the success of government entities in transitioning digital transformation from developmental initiatives into an integrated institutional ecosystem based on continuous improvement and raising government performance efficiency.

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Government integration and artificial intelligence drive leadership

Al-Badah pointed out that maintaining the first place came as a result of an integrated ecosystem led by partnership among government entities, the development of national digital infrastructure, the expansion of service delivery through digital platforms, alongside employing emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in developing government services.

He added that focusing on the beneficiary experience and measuring user satisfaction has become one of the most important drivers of service development, as government entities continuously rely on performance indicators and beneficiary satisfaction measurement results to simplify procedures, raise service efficiency, and improve the quality of the digital experience.

Sat, 18 2026

The impact of digital transformation goes beyond indicators

Al-Badah stressed that the results of digital transformation are no longer limited to achieving advanced positions in international indicators, but have become tangible in the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors. He noted that digital services in the health sector have provided access to medical services and remote appointment booking, while completing many judicial procedures has become available electronically, and government platforms have contributed to facilitating the issuance and renewal of official documents.

Digital solutions in the customs clearance sector, according to the official spokesperson of the Digital Government Authority, have contributed to accelerating procedures and raising the efficiency of transaction completion, which has reflected on the quality of government services, the speed of their completion, and the improvement of the beneficiary experience.

Sat, 18 2026

Regional leadership enhances global presence

Al-Badah believes that maintaining the regional first place is an extension of a series of international achievements made by Saudi Arabia in the field of digital government, most notably achieving 2nd place globally in the Digital Government Maturity Index issued by the World Bank for 2025, and the selection of Riyadh as the headquarters for the Global Center for Digital Government in partnership with the United Nations.

He said that these achievements reflect growing international confidence in the Saudi experience and confirm Saudi Arabia's success in building an advanced digital ecosystem based on innovation that keeps pace with global best practices in government service delivery.

Artificial intelligence drives the next phase

Al-Badah indicated that the next phase will focus on continuing to develop digital government services, making greater use of modern technologies and artificial intelligence to ensure the provision of more efficient and accessible services, and enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness in global digital government indicators.

He emphasized that the development of digital services is no longer limited to improving the beneficiary experience, but has become a pillar for enhancing government performance efficiency, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and cementing Saudi Arabia's position among the leading countries globally in digital government.

Sun, 19 2026