1. preamble

Government Spending Government ICT Spending in light of Saudi Vision 2030

This report highlights the figures and data on government spending in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on telecommunications and information technology services for the year 2024, reflecting the Kingdom’s strong commitment to accelerating and expanding digital transformation as a key enabler for achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. This includes main goals such as developing the digital economy, advancing e-government, increasing the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the national economy, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a leading technology hub both regionally and globally.

The report tracks strategic investment trends in this vital sector, where government spending on telecommunications and information technology services constitutes 34.1% of the total expenditure in the sector, according to Gartner Research. This represents the highest percentage worldwide for 2024, surpassing that of advanced countries. This high level of spending underscores the sector’s role as a main driver of the national economy, a catalyst for increased productivity and improved government performance, and a contributor to enhancing the experience of beneficiaries of digital services.
 

These strategic investments in the ICT sector, along with the regulatory and institutional efforts led by the Digital Government Authority in partnership with both the public and private sectors, have yielded tangible results on the ground. Saudi Arabia now offers more than 4,500 digital government services—representing over 97% of all government services—with cumulative ICT spending surpassing 113 Bn riyals over the past three years. The size of the local ICT market in Saudi Arabia has also risen to over 180 Bn riyals, making it the fastest-growing market in the Middle East for 2024.

2. About This Report

Saudi Arabia Advances Digitally

The growth and advancement of the ICT sector have enabled Saudi Arabia to achieve remarkable progress at the local, regional, and international levels. Among the most notable achievements are:

• Leadership in the Maturity of Electronic Government Services: Saudi Arabia ranked first regionally —for the third consecutive year—in Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index (GEMS) Issued by the ESCWA for 2024, achieving a maturity score of 96%, a significant improvement over the 2023 score of 93%.
   
• Remarkable Progress in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI): Saudi Arabia achieved sixth place globally in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) for 2024, with a performance score of 96%. This marks a significant leap from its 31st position in 2022, when it scored 85%.
   
• Increase in the Maturity Level of Government Agencies: The maturity level of government agencies in the Digital Transformation Measurement Index rose to 85% in 2024, up from 80% in 2023

Impact

The regular publication of reports on government spending on ICT services in Saudi Arabia contributes to numerous positive and lasting impacts, the most notable of which include:

1. Enhancing Spending Efficiency.
2. Improving the Quality of Digital Procurement.
3. Improving the Quality of Government Services.
4. Enhancing Transparency.
5. Enhancing the End-User Experience.
6. Clarity and Accuracy of Financial Data.
    

To view and download the report, click on the link below:

Government Spending Report On Information and Communication Technology for 2024