RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved a significant milestone by ranking fourth globally in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) 2024, marking a remarkable rise of 25 places. This leap places the Kingdom among the world’s top nations in digital government services, underlining the success of its ongoing digital transformation efforts.
In addition to its global ranking, Saudi Arabia secured second place among the G20 nations and ranked first regionally in the Digital Services Index. The Kingdom also placed seventh in the E-Participation Index, with Riyadh earning the third spot out of 193 cities globally.
Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Digital Government Authority, expressed his gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support of the country’s digital and technological advancements. He highlighted that the Kingdom’s rise in the EGDI is a direct result of this leadership and the implementation of programs aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
“This achievement is a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in digital transformation, which contributes significantly to the Kingdom’s role as a leader in the digital economy,” Al-Swaha said. He emphasized that the Kingdom is determined to continue its journey of pioneering innovation, positioning the nation at the forefront of the digital revolution.
Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority, further elaborated on the progress made, crediting the country’s continued success to the visionary leadership that prioritizes providing top-tier digital services. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts between government agencies and the Digital Government Authority in adopting cutting-edge technologies, launching key digital initiatives, and fostering a culture of innovation and leadership in digital transformation.
The United Nations report commended Saudi Arabia’s advancements in digital governance, noting that the Kingdom had made substantial strides in several key areas. These included a 53-rank improvement in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII) and a 31-rank improvement in the Human Capital Index (HCI). Additionally, the Kingdom saw a 67-rank leap in the Electronic Services Index (OSI), securing the fourth position globally for 2024.
Saudi Arabia also achieved 100% maturity in government digital regulations and open government data availability, facilitating greater transparency and efficiency in public services. The Kingdom’s electronic participation and consultations saw a remarkable rise of 60 ranks, reflecting its commitment to fostering greater citizen and business sector engagement.
The E-Government Development Index is a key international metric that measures the impact of digital governance reforms on national productivity, efficiency, and citizen engagement. Published biennially by the United Nations, the index serves as a reference point for assessing the performance of governments worldwide in their efforts to develop and implement digital services.
Saudi Arabia’s impressive performance in the EGDI 2024 highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global leader in digital transformation and reinforces its strategic goals under Vision 2030 to drive innovation, economic diversification, and improved public sector services
