Page 35 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Saudi Arabia Leading in e-Government Services

Saudi Arabia emerged topper among the
Middle East and North African (MENA)
countries in the 2024 Government Electronic
and Mobile Services Maturity Index, issued
by the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).
This was for the third consecutive year
Saudi Arabia is securing the top position in
the MENA region with a high maturity rate
of 96 percent in the overall assessment.
Digital Government Authority Governor
Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan affirmed that this
achievement reflects the significant support
and interest that the wise leadership has
given to the digital government ecosystem,
which has contributed to enhancing Saudi
Arabia’s position in international rankings.
He also highlighted the pivotal role of
integration among government agencies, such as health, education, and smart 16 countries in the index, which was
their reliance on emerging technologies cities. Electronic healthcare solutions, based on the maturity assessment of 100
and artificial intelligence, and the launch such as digital prescriptions, appointment priority government services provided
of initiatives and digital products aimed bookings through government platforms, to individuals and the business sector
at improving the beneficiaries' experience. and telehealth services, have improved through electronic portals and smart
Saudi Arabia has made significant progress access to services and increased applications. This was measured across
since 2020, starting in fourth place, beneficiary satisfaction. Additionally, digital three sub-indicators: a score of 99 percent
advancing to second in 2021, then taking educational services, including remote in the Service Availability and Development
the lead in 2022 and maintaining it in the learning platforms and electronic university indicator, 93 percent in the Service Usage
2023 and 2024 editions. This progress is admissions, have enhanced users' ability to and Beneficiary Satisfaction indicator, and
attributed to substantial improvements access government services with flexibility 99 percent in the Public Outreach indicator.
in digital services across vital sectors and high quality. Saudi Arabia outperformed

GCC Telecoms Could Generate US$5.90 for Every US$1 Invested in AI-Powered
Marketing

Telecom operators in the GCC have the engines, telecoms can unlock the full targeting, leading to higher customer
potential to significantly enhance their potential of their data, creating personalized engagement and increased revenue.
revenue through AI-powered marketing experiences that foster customer loyalty Data Utilization: Telecoms can maximize
and personalized customer engagement. and drive revenue. Examples from the growth by fully leveraging their vast data
According to a report by Strategy& Middle region show promising results: one pools, moving beyond traditional marketing
East, operators could generate up to $5.90 operator used AI to increase conversion models.
in EBITDA for every $1 invested in AI-driven, rates by 15%, while another reduced churn Strategic Necessity: For GCC telcos,
data-fueled marketing engines over five by up to 60% with proactive, personalized adopting AI-driven marketing is no longer
years. The report highlights that while offers. Success hinges on integrating AI optional, but a strategic imperative to
telecom companies hold vast datasets, with data, analytics, technology, marketing, remain competitive. The report urges GCC
including real-time location data and and customer experience, according to telcos to invest in AI capabilities and adopt
customer interactions, they are currently Strategy&. agile, integrated systems to capitalize
underutilizing these resources, limiting their Key Insights: on data-driven decision-making, helping
ability to drive growth. By implementing Personalization: AI-powered marketing to redefine value in the rapidly changing
AI-driven customer value management engines offer deeper insights and precision digital landscape.

35 MAY 2025