ICT
From The Report: Saudi Arabia 2023
View in Online Reader

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector stands as the largest and fastest-growing in the MENA region, valued at SR154bn ($41.1bn) as of 2022. The Kingdom’s ambition has attracted global attention, with multinational ICT providers gathering annually for the LEAP tech conference and Global Cybersecurity Forum. As Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance connectivity and diversify its economy beyond hydrocarbons under Vision 2030, ICT continues to play a central role. Initiatives driving digital transformation encompass various sectors, including government services, banking and manufacturing, the last of which is embracing Industry 4.0 solutions. Saudi Arabia’s digital ambitions have attracted major tech players and foreign investors, bolstering the ICT ecosystem. management. The country’s commitment to providing the domestic workforce with the appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities for the future will be essential in assisting it to realise its goals.

This chapter contains an interview with Mohammed AlShaibi, CEO, Tamkeen Technologies.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Digital drive: Strong government support and foreign investment are helping the Kingdom’s tech industry to grow
OBG
plus

Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector has already achieved notable success. As of 2022 it is the largest and fastest-growing market in the MENA region, with a value of SR154bn ($41.1bn). The scale of the Kingdom’s ambition is drawing global attention, with multinational ICT providers congregating once a year in Riyadh for the LEAP tech conference, as well as the Global Cybersecurity Forum. IT is set to play an increasingly important role as the Kingdom seeks to strengthen connectivity between the government,…

Analysis

New game: E-sports offer various opportunities for young professionals
OBG
plus

The Gulf presents a significant growth opportunity for the global gaming industry due to its young and tech-savvy population, extensive government support, and continued investment in tourism, hospitality and entertainment. According to the 2022 census, 63% of Saudi Arabia's population is under the age of 30, with the median age being 29; the average disposable income for Saudi nationals is also relatively high by global standards. Moreover, the country's hot climate means that people tend to spend…

Interview

Bridging the divide: Mohammed AlShaibi, CEO, Tamkeen Technologies, on how the expanding digital economy is creating opportunities
OBG
plus

Interview:Mohammed AlShaibi In what ways can the framework for the government’s outsourcing of IT processes be improved to enhance efficiency and flexibility? MOHAMMEDALSHAIBI: The government’s outsourcing of IT operations has produced positive results due to improvements in quality, cost reduction and delivery efficiency. However, with time and the growing reliance on external entities to deliver IT services, these benefits have diminished and, in some cases, limited the ability…

Analysis

Digital fortress: Confronting the next generation of cyberthreats in the GCC
OBG
plus

With global geopolitical instability elevating the threat of cyberattacks against businesses and government agencies alike, the GCC is rapidly developing more robust and comprehensive cybersecurity strategies to respond to the evolving nature of such threats. Since experiencing their first major cyberattacks in the early 2010s, the six members of the GCC have looked at ways to bolster their cybersecurity by increasing their resilience and upgrading capacity. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…