Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior reports that its digital platform, Absher, processed over 42 million transactions in October. This substantial volume highlights the platform’s increasing role in delivering government services to citizens, residents, and businesses. The Ministry aims to streamline public interactions through digital channels, reducing the need for in-person visits.
The majority of these transactions, 39.7 million, occurred through the Absher Individuals portal, while 2.56 million were handled via the Absher Businesses platform. This data, released by the Ministry, demonstrates a strong preference for digital service access across both individual and commercial users within the Kingdom.
Absher Platform Continues to Expand Digital Services
The continued growth in Absher transaction volume is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader ‘Vision 2030’ initiative, which prioritizes digital transformation across all sectors of the economy and government. This program aims to diversify the Saudi economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens through technology and modernization. Absher is a key component of this effort.
Key Service Areas Driving Transactions
Services provided by the General Directorate of Public Security accounted for over 3.6 million transactions within the month. Specifically, the General Directorate of Traffic handled 3.49 million requests, indicating the high demand for vehicle-related and driving license services online. Furthermore, the General Directorate of Passports processed nearly 2 million transactions, reflecting the Kingdom’s significant expatriate population and ongoing travel activity.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior’s Civil Status Agency processed over 587,000 transactions. This demonstrates increasing online adoption for essential civil documentation and identification needs. The large number of document views—over 33.4 million—through the digital wallet underscores the platform’s utility in managing official paperwork.
Growth of Digital Identity and Nafath Integration
According to the Ministry, more than 28 million unified digital IDs have now been issued through the Absher platform. These IDs serve as a secure and convenient means of accessing a wide range of government services. This centralized approach to digital identification aims to simplify processes and enhance security for users.
Additionally, these digital IDs unlock access to over 500 government and private sector entities through the National Unified Access Portal, known as Nafath. This integration streamlines access to various services, eliminating the need for multiple logins and simplifying user experience. Nafath is expected to become increasingly central to digital interactions in Saudi Arabia.
The report also indicated that 113,290 reports were submitted via the Absher Reports service, emphasizing its role as a channel for public feedback and issue reporting. A smaller, yet significant, number of requests—456—were completed for document delivery via mail, showcasing the platform’s flexibility in catering to diverse user needs.
The Ministry’s focus on digital transformation is also evidenced by the 2,171 general fingerprint inquiries processed through the platform. Fingerprint verification is becoming a crucial security element in authenticating digital transactions and accessing sensitive data. This anticipates future expansions reliant on biometric authentication.
However, challenges remain in bridging the digital divide and ensuring access for all segments of the population. Ongoing education and support initiatives are crucial to maximizing the benefits of digital services, especially for those less familiar with technology. Accessibility for people with disabilities is also a critical consideration.
The government’s push towards digital services aligns with global trends in e-governance and citizen engagement. Countries worldwide are leveraging technology to enhance the efficiency and transparency of public administration. This trend also supports the growth of a digital economy, attracting investment and fostering innovation. The Ministry of Interior’s initiative with Absher is a prominent example of this transformation, focusing on digital government and online services.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Interior is expected to announce further expansions of the Absher platform, potentially incorporating more services and enhancing integration with other government entities. The success of Nafath will be a key indicator of the broader strategy’s effectiveness. Continued monitoring of transaction volumes and user feedback will be vital in shaping the platform’s future development, and any potential impacts on data privacy and cybersecurity remain important areas to watch.
