Saudi Arabia 2025: Global leadership in communications, space and technology
The year 2025 was not merely a passing phase in Saudi Arabia's technological journey, but a strategic turning point that solidified its position as a major player on the global digital map. Based on the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which established digital transformation as a cornerstone of economic diversification, the Communications and Space Technology Commission (CSTC) successfully spearheaded a comprehensive set of achievements that transcended regional boundaries to compete with leading advanced economies.
Global leadership and unprecedented international recognition
Reflecting the maturity of the Saudi experience, the Kingdom has taken center stage internationally by achieving first place globally in the 2025 ICT Development Index (IDI) issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This achievement is not a coincidence, but rather the result of years of investment in infrastructure and legislation. The Kingdom also ranked second globally in the Digital Regulatory Maturity Index and second among G20 countries in the development of sector regulations. These indicators confirm to the world that the investment and technological environment in Saudi Arabia has become a model of efficiency and reliability.
The Saudi presence was not limited to numbers, but extended to international decision-making, as the Kingdom joined the Board of Directors of the Digital Regulatory Network of the International Telecommunication Union, and Riyadh hosted the most prominent global event, the “Global Symposium for Regulators of Telecommunications (GSR25)”, with the attendance of representatives from more than 190 countries, which highlights the Kingdom’s technical diplomatic weight.
The space economy: New investment opportunities
Recognizing the importance of the space economy as a future engine of growth, the Kingdom took bold steps in 2025. The Authority launched the global “SpaceUp” competition in partnership with the Saudi Space Agency, which successfully attracted innovations from 50 countries with contracting opportunities totaling $28 million . In parallel, the Earth Observation (EO) space platform was launched as the first national marketplace for space data, opening up significant opportunities for the private sector to leverage space technologies in agriculture, urban planning, and the environment, thus strengthening the knowledge-based economy.
Leading the way in future technologies (6G) and sustainability
Looking ahead, the Kingdom has achieved a technological first in the Middle East and North Africa by successfully conducting the first trial of 6G technology on the 7 GHz frequency band, in partnership with technology giants such as stc and Nokia. This achievement positions Saudi Arabia's infrastructure fully prepared for the next era of ultra-fast communications.
On the sustainability front, the Kingdom has balanced technological development with environmental responsibility, launching a global guide for managing electronic waste in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union. The “Recycle Your Device” initiative has successfully collected more than 100,000 electronic devices with a market value exceeding 120 million riyals, reflecting a firm commitment to the principles of the circular economy.
Accelerated economic growth and local empowerment
These technological achievements translate into substantial economic figures, with the Kingdom's telecommunications and technology market projected to reach SAR 190 billion by the end of 2025, registering a 5% growth rate. The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has bolstered this growth by granting multi-billion riyal investment licenses to major companies and supporting local technology products, which have grown by 84%. This underscores that the Kingdom is no longer merely a consumer market for technology, but has become a producer and source of digital innovation.
