In a remarkable leap in digital governance, Saudi Arabia has achieved a premier ranking on the Digital Regulatory Maturity Index, surpassing major G20 nations. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) revealed that the Kingdom now leads over global powerhouses such as the United States, France, Italy, China, Japan, and Russia, signaling a significant shift in the global digital landscape.
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia recognized that this accomplishment is a direct result of synergistic partnerships between various local and international stakeholders. The CST highlighted several pivotal initiatives that have propelled the Kingdom to the forefront of digital regulation. Among these are the establishment of the Digital Regulatory Academy, dedicated to fostering regulatory innovation and global leadership, as well as the development of a sophisticated digital infrastructure.
These strides represent the exponential growth within Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications sector over the past four years, reflecting a broader commitment to the Kingdom’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. This national strategy is designed to cultivate an enticing regulatory environment, augment digital economy investments, and encourage cross-sector collaboration among regulatory bodies to address common challenges.
The improvements within the digital regulatory framework are pivotal for the vital industries and are poised to catalyze the burgeoning digital economy. As per projections, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market value is set to hit SR154 billion by 2022. This growth is anticipated to foster healthy competition, attract substantial ICT sector investments, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s influential status within the ITU.
This success is a testament to the collective effort of various Saudi authorities, including CST’s collaborative work with the National Regulatory Committee, and multiple ministries like Communications and Information Technology, Health, Education, Economy and Planning, Environment, Water and Agriculture, and entities such as the Digital Government Authority, Saudi Central Bank, Saudi Data and AI Authority, Transport General Authority, and more. Each has played a critical role in advancing the Kingdom’s regulatory environment to one that is now recognized as a benchmark for digital governance worldwide.
