The open-source software ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
The OSS is marked by dynamic governmental initiatives and strategic collaborations initiated in 2013, focusing on open-source software for its security and economic advantages. Key players, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the e-Government Program (Yesser), and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, have been instrumental in propelling these initiatives forward. Educational institutions also significantly contribute to cultivating talent and promoting open-source software usage. This concerted effort underlines the Kingdom's dedication to building a robust open-source software infrastructure encompassing local and global participants.
Free and open-source government software strategy
In its commitment to implementing a
strategy for free and open-source government software, the National Committee for Government Software is dedicated to fostering technological leadership and enhancing digital infrastructure. This strategy is designed to optimize technical expenditure and cultivate an ecosystem that bolsters the digital economy. It emphasizes the importance of reusability, access to and dissemination of source codes. It promotes collaboration among government entities to standardize practices, enhance transparency, counteract vendor monopolization, and mitigate the complexities of integrating software from diverse sources. Furthermore, the initiative guides governmental bodies in making informed decisions regarding the acquisition or development of specialized software. It establishes a cohesive policy for governmental requisites on the receipt and utilization of government software. This ensures all affiliated agencies have usage rights and lays down the essential infrastructure prerequisites for the software's deployment, safeguarding governmental rights.
To establish a dynamic digital ecosystem for the Kingdom's governance, fostering a progressive and enduring technological framework that bolsters the digital economy.
- Expand the network of technological enterprises
- Increase the number of technical societies
- Catalyze foreign investment
- Boost the creation of tech-related employment opportunities
- Nurture and develop domestic tech talent
- Enhance the efficiency of governmental expenditure on technology
- Facilitate the development of technological platforms
- Foster innovation within the tech sector
- Advocate for digital sustainability and resilience
Pillars of the Free and Open-Source Government Software Strategy
The strategy for Free and Open-Source Government Software is built on three foundational pillars designed to advance the Kingdom's technological landscape:
1. Leadership in Future Technologies:
This pillar aims to foster technological leadership by generating demand for open-source software among government entities and ensuring its supply within the ecosystem, thereby altering the IT expenditure framework.
2. Transformation of IT Expenditure:
Focuses on optimizing spending by prioritizing investments in software, cloud computing services, and emerging technologies over traditional capital expenditures.
3. Cultivating a Streamlined Ecosystem “Blue Ocean” for Modern Technologies:
Aims to establish a robust infrastructure for technology and digital services, complemented by efforts to develop talent, and support the creation of local enterprises and associations, thus bolstering the Kingdom's digital economy.
Future Goals for Open-Source Software Adoption
The Kingdom's strategic objectives for its Free and Open-Source Software Strategy by 2026 include:
Facilitating the creation of 20 open-source software companies specializing in advanced technologies, aiming for cumulative revenues of SAR 2.1 billion over five years.
Encouraging 250 government entities to implement open-source software methodologies within a dedicated framework for free and open-source government software, over five years.
Enhancing the expertise of 1,822 professionals in open-source software by 2026.
Establishing over 8 open-source software communities and launching over 7 training and educational programs in open-source software.
Most prominent initiatives
This involves the launch of a program aimed at bolstering investments in cutting-edge technologies and open-source software, thereby supporting the digital economy.
Establishing a robust framework to encourage the widespread adoption of open-source software, transforming the landscape of IT spending.
This initiative focuses on creating vibrant communities that nurture talent and innovation, including developers, business networks, incubators, and accelerators, to stimulate growth and collaboration within the technology sector.
Information Technology Expenditure Forecast anticipated investment in information technology in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach SAR 65 billion during 2021-2025. This expenditure underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to enhancing operational efficiencies by transitioning to sophisticated digital systems. It evidences the pivotal role of the government in steering and nurturing such initiatives. Notably, the government's investment in information technology surged to SAR 11.97 billion in 2019, marking a strategic commitment to fostering open-source software as an integral component of Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure.
The intended audience for implementing OSS strategy
All governmental entities and their subsidiary companies. Additionally, it targets the broader ecosystem known as the "Blue Ocean," which includes various stakeholders such as skills and talent pools, business incubators and accelerators, as well as entrepreneurs.
A premier
national platform dedicated to storing free and open-source government software. Its core mission is to provide access to the source codes of country-owned free and open-source software to all government agencies, in line with regulatory guidelines. Additionally, it seeks to foster company creation within the digital economy, promote the development and sharing of open-source software, and assess software adoption outcomes through government spending efficiency and reducing dependency on commercial software vendors.
Enables government entities to store their software's source code on the platform.
Allows government agencies to review source codes stored on the platform.
Facilitates the request for governmental licenses for software use.
- Support and encourage government agencies to adopt open-source software.
- Enhance governmental expenditure efficiency through the adoption of open-source software.
Integral to the regulatory framework for free and open-source software, as outlined in Council of Ministers Resolution No. (14), excluding security and military agencies that follow specific guidelines. This license ensures agency access to repository services and compliance with regulatory terms, extending to over 200 government bodies.
For further details on the license and to explore open-source products, please click
here; additional resources are also available
here.
Statistical overview until 2023
Promising digital prospects
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's digital transformation is propelled by key initiatives that drive innovation and technological advancement. These include:
A platform enabling companies and creators to present their digital products and services, facilitating audience engagement and economic expansion.
Cloud Government Software Repository: Boosts access to software and development tools, streamlining collaboration between developers and government entities for digital solution development.
Encourages public input on government challenges through participation in diverse questionnaires.
These efforts lay a solid groundwork for innovation, advancing the digital economy toward realizing the Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. They reflect the Kingdom's dedication to adopting free and open-source government software, showcasing its vision for a digitally prosperous future, and affirming its role in fostering innovation and technological progress regionally and globally. This strategic approach has established a robust foundation for an open-source government IT system. It aims to enhance government performance efficiency, procedure transparency, and standardization, steering confidently toward Vision 2030 and beyond.
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