Saudi Arabia Achieves Top Spot in UN E-Government Services Index for MENA

In a significant stride that highlights its digital leadership, Saudi Arabia has been recognized for its superior electronic government services in the MENA. This accolade, presented by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western, stems from the kingdom's top rank in the Government Electronic and Services Maturity Index (GEMS) for two consecutive years. The achievement underscores Saudi Arabia's unwavering dedication to integrating technology into public service delivery, marking a milestone in its digital governance journey.

The GEMS index annually assesses the maturity of priority government services across 17 countries, covering a total of 84 services. Through a detailed analysis of portals and applications based on three sub-indicators, the index measures the sophistication and accessibility of these services. Saudi Arabia's consistent leadership in this index reflects its broad advancements in digital governance, demonstrating a committed approach to technological integration in public services.

National Efforts Toward Digital Transformation

Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan, Governor of Digital Government Authority, highlighted that this global recognition mirrors the collaborative efforts of the nation's government agencies towards digital transformation. He pointed out the robust support from Saudi leadership, which plays a crucial role in the digital government ecosystem. Al-Suwaiyan further emphasised that such achievements are instrumental in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at building a digital society and leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity and user experience.

Impressive Scores Across Indicators

The Kingdom's performance in the GEMS index showcased an overall maturity score of 93 per cent. Notably, in the "Service Availability and Sophistication" category, Saudi Arabia saw an improvement to 98 per cent, a 1 per cent increase from the previous year. The "Service Usage and Satisfaction" indicator also displayed significant growth, with an 84 per cent maturity rate, marking a 4.76 percent rise from 2022. Additionally, the "Public Outreach" index witnessed a substantial 13.52 percent year-on-year increase, achieving a perfect score of 100 percent.

Global Recognition and Future Aspirations

On the global stage, Saudi Arabia's efforts in digital governance have garnered substantial recognition. The Kingdom secured the third position globally among 198 countries in the 2022 GOVTECH Maturity Index by the World Bank. This achievement was complemented by its highest performance in over two decades in the E-Government Development Index by the UN. Furthermore, Riyadh was ranked fourth globally in technology use and applications, positioning it in the "very high range" among 193 cities worldwide.

Saudi Arabia's remarkable achievements in electronic government services reflect its commitment to digital transformation and technological progress. By prioritising technology integration in public services, the Kingdom aims to improve the quality of life for its citizens and residents. These accomplishments not only set a precedent for other nations in the region but also underscore the crucial role of digital governance in national development and citizen satisfaction.