National Data Index Enhances Government Readiness for Data-Driven Development in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom is advancing its data-driven economy by enhancing data use to support decision-making and improve operational efficiency in the government sector. A key initiative is the National Data Index (NDI), launched by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). This national initiative enables government entities to manage data according to high standards of quality and governance, aligning with the Kingdom’s goals under Saudi Vision 2030.
 The index aims to establish a framework that treats data as a national asset, enhancing management practices and ensuring the availability of accurate and reliable information. It seeks to improve data management efficiency, activate data lifecycle processes, and foster a culture of data management through continuous training for government employees.
 The NDI comprises three components: maturity, compliance, and operational excellence. Maturity is assessed through a survey of 14 domains and 42 criteria. Compliance refers to 14 domains and 191 specifications. Operational excellence is evaluated across six platforms using 24 criteria, with periodic assessments conducted by the National Data Governance Platform.
 SDAIA has launched the third cycle of NDI, expanding the measurement scope to 214 government entities, a 110% increase from the previous cycle.