Ihsan platform donations exceed 14 billion riyals: A Saudi digital achievement
His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Sharaf Al-Ghamdi, President of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), announced a new national achievement in the digital charity sector, as the total donations through the Ihsan platform 14 billion Saudi riyals, reflecting the great social cohesion and the donors’ confidence in the technological system managed by the Kingdom.
Digital governance and high reliability
During his remarks at the government press conference, Dr. Al-Ghamdi emphasized that “charitable work is an inherent characteristic of the Saudi people,” stressing that the platform’s success was not accidental, but rather the result of rigorous governance overseen by 13 governmental and regulatory bodies. This governance aims to ensure that donations reach their intended beneficiaries with complete transparency and reliability, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the non-profit sector in the Kingdom.
The head of SDAIA explained that the platform employs the latest data and artificial intelligence technologies to streamline the user experience, noting that the donation process through the platform is exceptionally fast, taking no more than five seconds. He added, “We are simplifying the donation process and minimizing intermediaries between donors and recipients. Audio and video recordings of the recipient thanking the donor will be included to enhance transparency and positive psychological impact.”.
Government integration to support the third sector
The government press conference was attended by high-level ministers, including His Excellency the Minister of Media, Mr. Salman Al-Dossari, and His Excellency the Minister of Municipalities and Housing, Mr. Majid Al-Hogail. This attendance underscores the integrated government efforts to support the third (non-profit) sector, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to increase this sector's contribution to the gross domestic product.
In a related context, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing reviewed the transformation journey in the non-profit sector within the housing system, and how digital platforms contributed to providing housing solutions for the most needy families, while the Minister of Information addressed the most prominent developments and national achievements that the Kingdom is witnessing on various levels.
The impact of the Ihsan platform locally and regionally
The Ihsan platform is a pioneering model for leveraging technology to serve humanity, its impact extending beyond the traditional boundaries of charitable work. Al-Ghamdi noted the platform's tremendous activity, with over 12 million daily donations (both digital and interactive) processed, making it one of the most active charitable platforms globally. He also highlighted the launch of the "Ihsan Endowment Fund," which aims to achieve financial sustainability for charitable projects and ensure the continuation of giving for future generations.
It is worth mentioning that the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority “SDAIA” has succeeded, through its development of the Ihsan platform, in raising the level of transparency in charitable work, and facilitating the access of benefactors to the targeted groups in various fields, whether they are health, educational, social, or relief, which consolidates the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in digital humanitarian work.
