Saudi Arabia’s communication and technology sector is making significant growth. The market is currently the largest and fastest-growing in the Middle East and North Africa region, boasting an estimated value of $44.2 billion. 

According to the latest UN ICT Development Index, Saudi Arabia has maintained its position as the second most technologically advanced nation among G20 members, highlighting the continued development and resilience of the kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

This ranking is published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which assesses the digital progress of 170 countries across two key areas: “inclusive communication” and “effective communication.” 

These areas are measured using various sub-indicators, including the strength of a nation’s digital infrastructure.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi Arabia leads the G20 in “effective communication” and comes in second for “inclusive communication.”

The kingdom’s Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CSTC) sees this strong foundation as critical to propelling the growth of the digital economy, attracting investments, and driving further expansion.

Furthermore, mobile phone penetration in Saudi Arabia has surpassed 198% of the population, with average monthly data consumption per citizen exceeding the global average by three.

These advancements are fueled by substantial government investment.

A report released by Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority in May revealed a 20% year-on-year increase in government spending on information and communication technology in 2023, reaching $11.1 billion.