Saudi Arabia has emerged as a frontrunner in 5G coverage, digital government services, and artificial intelligence adoption, according to the Digital Cooperation Organization’s (DCO) Digital Economy Navigator 2025 (DEN 2025) report launched in Doha, Qatar.
The report highlights the Kingdom’s frontier-level maturity in digital health, education, and inclusion, citing major achievements such as the world’s largest virtual hospital network — connecting more than 224 hospitals — and the expansion of AI-driven platforms like Sehhaty and Wasfaty.
Deemah Al-Yahya, DCO Secretary-General, called for greater cross-border collaboration to accelerate digital transformation, emphasizing that “the cost of inaction is exclusion, but the rewards of collaboration are limitless.” Saudi Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Alswaha noted that the DEN 2025 “marks another milestone” in helping governments design sustainable growth strategies through digital innovation.
The comprehensive study, covering 80 countries representing 94% of global GDP and 85% of the world’s population, draws on 145 indicators and input from over 41,000 respondents. It showcases how nations are advancing in connectivity, innovation, governance, and inclusion.
According to the DCO, digitalization is generating growth across all income levels, with internet access now reaching more than four in five people globally. Lower-middle-income countries have recorded the most improvements, proving that effective policies and investment can accelerate progress.
The report also underscores ongoing challenges in equitable access, particularly for women — noting that only 3.1% of female graduates globally enter ICT fields. The DCO urges stronger investment in digital skills, open trade in ICT goods, and sustainable AI development to ensure inclusive participation in the global digital economy.
