Saudi Arabia launches free, open-source government software strategy

Logo of Digital Government Authority

The National Committee for Free and Open Source Government Software launched the strategy of free and open-source government software and the digital platform for depositing government software, Saudi Press Agency reported.

This came as part of the Saudi Cabinet’s approval of the relevant regulations, and as the Digital Government Authority set up an electronic platform to enable government entities to deposit software source codes.

The committee held its first meeting under the chairmanship of the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Ahmed M. Alsuwaiyan, in addition to representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Public Investment Fund (PIF), National Cybersecurity Authority, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).

The step complements the Kingdom’s unlimited support for the digital government and the transformation process, aiming to boost the digital economy as well as the local content deployment, Alsuwaiyan said.

The Committee Vice Chairman and Supervisor of the Digital Investment Portfolio and Government Procurement at the Digital Government Authority, Abdullah M. AlFaifi, indicated that the plan to launch strategy and e-platform will enhance the government software usage, eliminate supplier monopoly and boost transparency. 

In August, the Saudi Cabinet approved the rules for regulating free and open-source government software, Argaam reported.