Governance and Coordination

His Excellency Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Ali Al-Soyyan has been the Governor and Board Member of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) since May 2021, leading Saudi Arabia's digital transformation efforts. His Excellency brings over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications, information technology, and financial sectors. H.E. Eng. Alsuwaiyan holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's in Business Administration. His Excellency also chairs the Executive Committee of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and holds board memberships in prominent national organizations, including the National Center for Government Resource Systems (NCGR), the Saudi Business Center (SBC), and the National e-Learning Center (NELC). Additionally, H.E. is a member of the Board of Trustees of King Fahd National Library (KFNL).

Board of Directors of the Digital Government Authority

The DGA Board of Directors, chaired by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), comprises senior officials representing key ministries and authorities, including Commerce, Finance, Human Resources, and Social Development. Members include the Deputy Ministers of the Interior and Communications, as well as heads of SDAIA, the National Cybersecurity Authority, and other pivotal organizations.

The Digital Government Transformation Committee, established in 2021, focuses on harmonizing digital initiatives across government entities to achieve the objectives of the national Digital Government Strategy. Its responsibilities include:

• Supervising the implementation of digital strategies and initiatives.
• Monitoring compliance with regulatory frameworks and standards.
• Rationalizing costs and optimizing the use of digital resources.
• Encouraging integration and unification of digital services to streamline "life journeys" for citizens and businesses.

The Committee also serves as the National CIO Network, comprising 27 high-ranking officials coordinating efforts across their respective agencies. The current members of the Committee include:

This network facilitates collaboration and addresses challenges through an escalation mechanism, ensuring the timely resolution of issues requiring higher-level intervention.

Effective digital transformation requires seamless collaboration among various stakeholders, including government entities, private sector partners, and citizens. This coordination is achieved through strategic planning, task allocation, and stakeholder engagement. The DGA, Digital Government Transformation Committee, and National CIO Network ensure:

• Strategic alignment across all levels of government.
• Engagement with the private sector to leverage technological expertise.
• Clear communication and collaboration frameworks for project execution.

The digital governance framework also incorporates international collaboration, guided by the United Nations' Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.

The mandate of the Digital Government Transformation Committee also includes the establishment of an escalation mechanism. While most digital government-related projects and initiatives have been implemented without significant issues or challenges, some require intervention and guidance from the highest authority. This process facilitates intervention from higher authorities when needed, ensuring smooth implementation and resolution of complex issues. The escalation mechanism and procedure are presented below.