Skip to content
An official website of the OECD. Find out more
Created by the Public Governance Directorate

This website was created by the OECD Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI), part of the OECD Public Governance Directorate (GOV).

How to validate authenticity

Validation that this is an official OECD website can be found on the Innovative Government page of the corporate OECD website.

Tawakkalna services – Digital companion for individuals in KSA

Tawakkalna Services Logo

Tawakkalna Services is a digital super-app which was created to simplify and enhance daily life of individuals in Saudi Arabia. It modernizes service delivery and benefits over 31 million users by providing a unified access point for diverse services, from healthcare to civil affairs. Its innovation lies in creating a unified digital ecosystem of public and private offerings, reflecting a bold step in digital integration aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Innovation Summary

Innovation Overview

Tawakkalna Services is a strategic innovation addressing the need for a cohesive digital experience in accessing government and private sector services. This platform capitalizes on the opportunity to solve the pressing challenge of fragmented access to government and private sector services, which previously required dealing with multiple platforms and authentication steps, leading to a cumbersome process for users.

The innovation encompasses a super-app that integrates over 241 services, providing a single access point for services related to all aspects of life, including health, education, religious, social, and civil affairs. Its objective is to make people's every day's life happier, easier and support them to achieve the desired outcomes by being always there to provide a best-in-class experience.

The beneficiaries include the 19 million users who now enjoy a simplified, efficient interaction with services that previously required multiple channels and platforms. The app has Digital Documents: This product has garnered an impressive 700 million views, demonstrating high usage and exceeding 8 billion operations. Messaging Product: This product, designed to foster effective communication between partners and individuals, has achieved 300 million views, significantly supporting the partners' objectives.

Envisioned for the future, Tawakkalna Services aims to be institutionalized as the central digital tool within the Saudi ecosystem, with plans to expand and scale its offerings and user base further. It represents a bold step toward an innovative, interconnected future, setting a global benchmark for e-governance and digital service provision.

Innovation Description

What Makes Your Project Innovative?

Tawakkalna Services distinguishes itself by transcending traditional e-governance, integrating both government and private sector services in a unified application. The app's evolution from a COVID-19 response tool to a comprehensive digital governance system demonstrates its adaptive innovation, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals. It differs from prior attempts which segmented services across multiple platforms, creating a fragmented user experience. Its innovative user-centric approach brings together services that cover various aspects of an individual’s daily life, from digital IDs and health records to entertainment passes and financial transactions. It reflects a deep understanding of user behaviour and preferences, which is evident in its adoption by over 31 million users, making it not just a service but a daily companion for a diverse population.

What is the current status of your innovation?

Currently, Tawakkalna Services continues its expansion, enhancing user engagement and service efficiency within its digital ecosystem. With a user base exceeding 31 million and an ecosystem of over 52 strategic partners, it is now focusing on increasing the breadth of services and improving the depth of user interaction. The platform's continuous updates aim to further align with the evolving needs of its user base, ensuring it remains at the forefront of digital governance and service delivery.

Innovation Development

Collaborations & Partnerships

  • Tawakkalna’ s success is owed to collaborations with 52 strategic partners across various sectors.
  • Government agencies integrated essential citizen services, creating a unified digital governance platform
  • Private sector partners added new services everyday (e.g., WeBook’s ticket booking)
  • Messaging Product: This features fosters effective communication between partners and individuals,

Users, Stakeholders & Beneficiaries

Tawakkalna Services impacts over 19 million users, including citizens, government officials, and businesses. Citizens benefit from streamlined access to diverse services, enhancing daily life efficiency. Government officials gain from improved data management and service delivery, aligning with digital transformation goals. Companies, through partnership, extend their reach and efficiency. This ecosystem fosters a digitally empowered society, integral to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

Innovation Reflections

Results, Outcomes & Impacts

Tawakkalna Services, with over 19 million users, has revolutionized access to government and private sector services in Saudi Arabia. It efficiently consolidated over 241 services from over 52 strategic partners, evidenced by 1.5 billion messages and 635 million digital wallet reviews exceeding 8 billion operations. The impacts are measured through user engagement metrics and service utilization rates. Future expectations include continued growth in user base and service diversity, further supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 for digital transformation. This platform's success demonstrates a significant leap in e-governance, setting a benchmark for similar initiatives globally.

Challenges and Failures

Tawakkalna Services faced challenges like user data security and integrating diverse services onto a single platform. Navigating these complexities, especially in ensuring robust cybersecurity, was critical. Any setbacks in these areas were addressed through continuous technological upgrades and rigorous data protection measures. The response to these challenges has been an ongoing process of improvement and adaptation, demonstrating the project's resilience and commitment to delivering a secure, efficient digital service experience.

Conditions for Success

For Tawakkalna Services' success, key factors included the following:

  • Strong technological infrastructure for service integration and data management.
  • Effective policies for data security and privacy.
  • Leadership commitment, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
  • Adequate human and financial resources for development and maintenance.
  • Engaging the community to ensure relevance and usability.

These elements together create a robust foundation for successful digital governance innovation.

Replication

Tawakkalna Services' replication potential is evident from its expansion to over 75 countries, catering to a diverse international audience. Initially a COVID-19 management tool, it evolved into a platform offering over 241 services. This adaptability demonstrates its applicability in other contexts, suggesting its model could be effectively replicated by organizations and governments seeking to enhance digital governance and public service delivery. The app's success in integrating various services for a wide audience showcases its potential as a global e-governance blueprint

Lessons Learned

From the Tawakkalna Services experience, key lessons include:

  • User-Centric Design: Tailoring services to meet user needs enhances adoption and satisfaction.
  • Collaboration: Partnerships across sectors are crucial for comprehensive service integration.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regular updates and responsiveness to feedback keep the platform relevant and efficient.
  • Security and Privacy: Prioritizing data protection builds trust and ensures compliance.
  • Vision Alignment: Aligning with national goals, like Saudi Vision 2030, provides direction and purpose.

These insights can guide similar initiatives in effectively implementing national-scale digital transformation projects.

Anything Else?

Tawakkalna Services has received notable global and local recognition:

  • Ranked among top five in World Summit on the Information Society Award 2021 by the International Telecommunication Union
  • Second place in the Digital Experience Maturity Index for Government Services in 2022
  • United Nations Public Service Award 2022 for institutional resilience and innovative response to COVID-19
  • First place in Ghazi Al Gosaibi Award for crisis management efficiency
  • Makkah Excellence Award for digital support and crisis management during COVID-19

Project Pitch

Status:

  • Implementation - making the innovation happen

Innovation provided by:

Media:

Date Published:

27 June 2024

Join our community:

It only takes a few minutes to complete the form and share your project.