Saudi Arabia ranked first among Middle Eastern 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). This marks the third consecutive time that Saudi Arabia has secured the top position, achieving a maturity rate of 96 percent in the overall assessment, SPA reported.
Digital Government Authority Governor Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Alsuwaiyan emphasized that this accomplishment reflects the substantial support and interest that the wise leadership has extended towards the digital government ecosystem. This cmmitment has significantly bolstered Saudi Arabia’s standing in international rankings. He also underscored the crucial role of integration among government agencies, their reliance on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and the launch of initiatives and digital products aimed at enhancing the experience for beneficiaries.
Read more: Safeguarding the digital future of Saudi Arabia
Steady progress since 2020: A timeline of success
Saudi Arabia has made remarkable strides since 2020, starting in fourth place, advancing to second in 2021, and then claiming the lead in 2022, a position it has maintained in both the 2023 and 2024 editions. This progress is attributed to substantial enhancements in digital services across essential sectors such as health, education, and smart cities.
Electronic healthcare solutions, including digital prescriptions, appointment bookings through government platforms, and telehealth services, have significantly improved access to services and increased beneficiary satisfaction. Furthermore, digital educational services, such as remote learning platforms and electronic university admissions, have enhanced users’ ability to access government services with flexibility and high quality.
Outranking 16 countries
Outranking 16 countriesSaudi 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 evaluated 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.
