Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Indicators Forum is an annual event dedicated to discussing key indicators of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is organized by the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) and features the participation of local and international experts in the field of ICT. Its first edition was held in 2018.

The forum examines topics related to the trends in Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector, alongside key indicators derived from the sector’s activities. It also discusses several issues, including expanding the scope of digital business to support Saudi Arabia’s digital economy aspirations, performance indicators for the ICT sector, and leadership in enhancing digital infrastructure efficiency.

The first edition of the ICT Indicators Forum was held on April 4, 2018, and was attended by professionals and experts in ICT indicators and statistics.

Participants reviewed the ICT sector strategy, which included three strategic pillars: Digital infrastructure, the digital environment, and digital culture. These pillars aim to achieve three key aspects of the national digital agenda to build the future and create a digital society, a digital economy, and a digital government.

The second edition of the forum was launched on March 20, 2019, under the theme "A Digital Transformation for an Ambitious Nation." The forum’s discussions focused on the latest indicators of Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector, including visual presentations of market performance indicators and survey results on the telecommunications market. Additionally, it addressed key digital transformation trends in Saudi Arabia, which are among the fundamental pillars of the National Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030. On the sideline of the forum, an accompanying exhibition showcased digital transformation solutions and artificial intelligence applications presented by some ICT companies.

In 2021, the ICT Indicators Forum discussed various topics, including the post-pandemic ICT sector, recovery and growth, performance indicators for the ICT sector, technology as a driver of leadership and empowerment, the sector’s strategic direction under the theme "Towards a Nation Connected to the Future," and the postal and logistics services sector: Opportunities and challenges, and digital economy policy.

The ICT Indicators Forum in 2022 held three sessions that discussed key topics, including digital regulation: framework and leading practices, future trends for telecommunications service providers in Saudi Arabia, and the ICT sector's role in enabling the digital economy.

In 2022, the size of Saudi Arabia’s ICT market reached approximately SAR154 billion, with total capital investments exceeding SAR93 billion injected by Saudi Arabia into digital infrastructure over six years (2016-2022). This expansion led to a significant improvement in service quality, with mobile internet speeds increasing eleven-fold, exceeding 181 Mbps. i.e. more than double the global average. As a result, Saudi Arabia maintained its position among the world's top ten countries in mobile internet speed.

The ICT Indicators Forum 2023 held three sessions that discussed the financial performance of the sector in figures, the expansion of digital business to support the aspirations of the digital economy in Saudi Arabia, and leadership in enhancing the efficiency of digital infrastructure.

The ICT Indicators Forum was held on April 24, 2024. It covered several topics, including performance indicators for the ICT sector, navigating the boundaries of innovation: trends in the IT market in Saudi Arabia, and the future of the technological landscape in the country. The forum also discussed the financial performance of the sector in figures, along with a review of Saudi Internet 2023.

The ICT market size reached SAR166 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8 percent over the past six years. The forum was attended by an elite of experts, specialists, and sector leaders.