Saudi Arabia secures top position in MENA for e-government services in 2023

Saudi Arabia has clinched the top spot in the Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index for 2023, as per the report issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). This marks the Kingdom’s consecutive second-year lead, boasting a commendable maturity score of 93 percent in the overall index.

Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, the governor of the Digital Government Authority, attributed this international accolade to the concerted efforts of government agencies in embracing digital transformation. He emphasized the pivotal support extended by the country’s leadership towards fostering a digital government ecosystem, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. These initiatives aim to cultivate a digital society, harness new technologies to enhance productivity, optimize efficiency, and deliver superior experiences to all stakeholders.

The Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) annually evaluates 17 countries based on the maturity levels of 84 priority government services offered to individuals and businesses via portals and smart applications. Saudi Arabia’s standout performance is underscored by its first-place ranking across all indicators, showcasing remarkable advancements in each criterion.

In the Service Availability and Sophistication indicator, Saudi Arabia achieved a notable maturity rate of 98 percent, marking a 1 percent increase from 2022. Similarly, in the Service Usage and Satisfaction indicator, the Kingdom attained a commendable maturity rate of 84 percent, reflecting a substantial increase of 4.76 percent compared to the previous year.

Of particular significance is Saudi Arabia’s exceptional progress in the Public Outreach indicator, securing a perfect score of 100 percent. This remarkable achievement signifies a substantial leap from 2022, with an impressive increase rate of 13.52 percent.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s global standing in digital governance continues to ascend, with recent milestones including a third-place ranking globally among 198 countries in the GOVTECH Maturity Index for 2022 by the World Bank. Additionally, the Kingdom achieved its highest historical ranking in the E-Government Development Index issued by the United Nations, a testament to its enduring commitment to digital innovation.

The city of Riyadh also garnered international recognition, securing the fourth position globally in the utilization of technology and its applications, placing within the very high rank classification among 193 cities worldwide. These achievements underscore Saudi Arabia’s unwavering dedication to leveraging technology to drive socio-economic progress and enhance citizen-centric services on both national and global fronts.