The Digital Government Authority has approved the platforms “Balady,” “Sakani,” and “Ejar” as unified sectoral platforms for digital city services. The Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing aims, through these platforms, to enhance the quality of municipal and housing services provided to citizens and residents, empower beneficiaries to play an active role in community oversight as effective partners, improve quality of life, and elevate the urban landscape by enhancing transparency levels across both sectors.
The approval of these platforms was announced during a ceremony organized by the Digital Government Authority, which included the unveiling of the digital government policy and the registration of leading government digital platforms. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Authority’s Board of Directors, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, in the presence of His Excellency the Authority’s Governor, Engineer Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwayan, and a number of distinguished officials.
The digital city platform “Balady” stands out for its user-friendly access to services, transaction tracking, advanced data security features, activation of the digital ecosystem, delivery of high-quality services, and ease of communication and interaction with relevant authorities. It also supports decision-making by measuring performance indicators and enabling beneficiaries to access municipal services around the clock, with over five million service requests executed through the platform by mid-2021.
“Sakani” platform provides a comprehensive set of integrated electronic services, starting from immediate eligibility verification, booking and viewing residential units and plots of land (with detailed information on their locations and features), and obtaining price offers from financing entities. It also offers real estate advisory services, engineering and interior design solutions, building permits for self-construction beneficiaries, access to the real estate market, and other related services. The platform further showcases residential projects, both ready and under construction, featuring diverse designs, models, and sizes, in addition to displaying residential schemes that include more than 180,000 residential plots available across most cities and governorates of the Kingdom.
“Ejar” platform aims to enhance the reliability of the rental real estate sector, safeguard the rights of all stakeholders—including landlords, tenants, and real estate brokers—and provide standardized rental contracts tailored to the needs of beneficiaries. It focuses on improving sector performance, increasing its contribution to the national economy, and reducing disputes through authenticated contracts. The number of units registered on the platform has exceeded three million since the program’s launch, with an average of 3,500 rental contracts authenticated daily, both residential and commercial.
It is noteworthy that the Digital Government Authority is the specialized body responsible for digital government operations in the Kingdom and serves as the national authority in this field. It seeks to unify and harmonize government procedures, ensure optimal utilization of existing assets, enhance operational efficiency, improve user experiences with government digital services and platforms, and enrich the public sector’s capabilities in providing advanced digital platforms.