The Impact of Digital Regulations on Government Expenditure Efficiency: A Study in Saudi Arabia

As Governments accelerate their digital transformation, rationalizing government digital platforms remains a focal point to enhance public service delivery, streamline operations, and ensure fiscal responsibility. This paper delves into the supporting regulations of the digital platform's governance component of Saudi Arabia's Whole-of-Government program, focusing specifically on policies and regulations that aim to reduce the number of platforms and consolidate digital services. Drawing from a comprehensive analysis of the current digital landscape, the study focuses on quantifying the impact on government expenditure. The analyzed data revealed that by the end of 2023, the implementation of Digital Government Authority (DGA) regulation resulted in a 21% reduction in the overall number of existing platforms in the kingdom (from 817 to 642 platforms) and in the rejection of applications to create 187 new platforms. As a result, total government spending savings were estimated at 798 million Saudi Riyals over a period of 10 years.