Kuwait has entered a new era of digital government, shifting from isolated, agency-by-agency services to fully integrated digital journeys through the Sahel platform. Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs Omar Saud Al-Omar highlighted this milestone during the Sahel Forum 2, noting that the country is moving toward a model where “government speaks with one voice and serves the user with one step.”
The newborn registration journey demonstrates this vision: seven government entities collaborated to compress a multi-day process into minutes, with more than 6,800 newborns already registered during the first phase. Similarly, the digital home ownership journey—developed by Kuwait Finance House, the Public Authority for Housing Welfare, Kuwait Municipality, and the Ministry of Justice—has reduced a six-to-nine-month procedure to two visits, with full online completion expected soon through secure digital authentication.
Sahel continues expanding its integrated “user journeys,” including a fully digital Marriage Journey and enhanced Birth Journey phases covering all family categories. The Sahel Business Application now offers 218 services from 18 government agencies. Upcoming upgrades include centralized complaint management, a redesigned user interface, and improved functionality for smoother, more intuitive experiences.
The platform’s growth has been remarkable: from 800,000 users in its first year to more than three million today, with services increasing from 123 to 433 and over 122 million transactions completed. Sahel enables users to book driving license tests, update addresses, cancel power of attorney, submit school applications, access employment systems, request certificate equivalency, register for Fire Force courses, lodge service complaints, and much more.
Executive Committee advisor Engineer Tariq Al-Darbas emphasized the difference between “electronic” and truly “digital” services. Digital services must be integrated, automated, and user-centric—requiring administrative restructuring, trust-building, and robust technical integration across government agencies. These pillars form the foundation for Kuwait’s long-term goal of a fully digital government.
