In today’s rapidly evolving digital age, governments worldwide recognize the importance of embracing technology to improve the efficiency and accessibility of their services. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are two Arab Gulf countries that have made remarkable progress in digitizing their governmental operations.
The UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 are ambitious government initiatives to provide seamless and efficient digital services to citizens and residents. Both initiatives prioritize digital transformation to enhance government services and upgrade their residents’ quality of life. Countries focus on developing and expanding e-government services to facilitate access to government services online, reduce bureaucracy, and improve service delivery.
As represented in their names, the UAE’s Digital Government Strategy 2025 has a shorter timeframe, aiming to achieve its goals by 2025, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has a longer-term vision, targeting transformation by 2030.
As it is already less dependent on oil and has made significant progress in developing sectors like tourism and finance, the UAE is going further and focusing on creating a supportive ecosystem for startups, attracting talent, and developing innovation hubs. The country aims to position itself as a global leader in the information age, attracting international businesses and fostering collaboration with global partners. The UAE government provides 500 online services, resulting in significant efficiency of the user experience. For example, the processing time for family registration has been significantly reduced from three days to just a few minutes, showcasing the tangible benefits of digital transformation efforts.
As a result of the program, The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a global leader in e-government development. Notably, the UAE has accomplished a significant milestone by becoming the world’s first fully digitized government, eliminating the need for paper-based processes. Additionally, the UAE’s achievements in e-government have placed it among the top 15 leading countries in e-government development globally, according to the source.
Saudi Arabia is also notable in e-services development and has achieved the 32nd ranking worldwide. The country operates side by side with its neighbor, “copying and pasting” the best elements, while advancing further ahead and creating its own products and innovations.
Saudi Arabia has successfully implemented e-participation initiatives both at the national and local levels. The country has introduced a dedicated portal called Balady, which offers a range of e-participation functions and tools seamlessly integrated with municipal services. This integration allows for obtaining local feedback on e-services and making improvements accordingly.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have implemented advanced ID systems within their programs that serve as official identification documents. In both countries, individuals can apply for their ID cards through online platforms or accredited typing centers. Additionally, if you are traveling to the UAE or Saudi Arabia, it is possible to apply for your visa through the relevant online platforms. Furthermore, it is not even necessary to submit a passport for stamping, as both countries offer online platforms that facilitate visa applications, renewals, and other immigration-related documents. In the UAE, this system is branded as “national happiness,” reflecting the government’s focus on enhancing citizen satisfaction through digital platforms.
In government digitization programs, digital governance plays a vital role. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have implemented various practices to enhance administrative processes at the legislative level. For example, the UAE government has introduced the “UAE Pass,” a digital identity platform that provides citizens and residents access to a wide range of government services through a single online portal. With the UAE Pass, users can store and manage official documents digitally, minimizing the reliance on physical paperwork. Similarly, the Saudi government has developed the Absher platform. Like the “UAE Pass,” it is an online portal and mobile application that provides a range of government services to citizens and residents, allowing them to access and manage official documents, including IDs, passports, and driver’s licenses. These digital platforms in both countries significantly streamline administrative procedures and enhance convenience for individuals.
Efficient traffic fines management is another aspect of government digitization programs. Saudi Arabia’s Sadat system is particularly noteworthy for its advanced functionality. It automatically blocks individuals’ accounts if they have outstanding court debts, ensuring prompt compliance. In both countries, the process of deducting traffic fines has been automated, or, in some cases, semi-automated, minimizing bureaucratic delays and enhancing compliance. It demonstrates a shared commitment to leveraging technology for streamlined governance and increasing convenience for citizens.
This commitment to leveraging technology for streamlined governance and increased convenience demonstrates a shared vision in utilizing digital solutions to enhance the overall efficiency of governmental processes and improve the experience for citizens.
A notable case study demonstrating the effectiveness of digital tools in managing the COVID-19 pandemic is the use of mobile applications. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabian governments, in collaboration with Ministries of Health, have created apps to trace and monitor the health status of citizens. The UAE’s Alhosn and Saudi Arabian Tawakkalna have allowed authorities to swiftly implement measures, such as banning access to public places based on an individual’s app status, effectively controlling the spread of the virus and managing the vaccination. The similarities in these approaches demonstrate a shared commitment to leveraging technology for public health management.
Today, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are two of the most digitized states in the Arab Gulf. The UAE has an E-Government Development Index (EDGI) of 0.9010, which is the same level as Asian tigers like Japan (EDGI 0.9002) and Singapore (EDGI 0.9133), and is in 13th place in the top 15 leading countries in e-government development (2022). Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, with EDGI 0.8539, is taking enormous steps to catch up with its neighbor to become the next leader. By applying ambitious strategies and innovative platforms, both countries have become leaders in e-government development, leveraging technology to streamline administrative processes and provide seamless digital services to their populations. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to leveraging technology for efficient governance and improved citizen experiences.
