Saudi bank Al Rajhi reports 44% rise in the first nine months of 2021 net profits 

The higher net profit for Q3 2021 is spurred by 43 percent year-on-year to SR 3.794 billion. (Supplied)
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Updated 24 October 2021
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Saudi bank Al Rajhi reports 44% rise in the first nine months of 2021 net profits 

  • The bank attributed the profit increase to the rise in total operating income by 26.4 percent

Al Rajhi Bank reported a 44 percent increase in net profit for the first nine months of 2021, from SR 7.474 billion ($ 1.992 billion) in the same period last year, to SR 10.73 billion ($ 2.860 billion).

The higher net profit for Q3 2021 is spurred by 43 percent year-on-year to SR 3.794 billion, compared to the third quarter of 2020. 

The bank attributed the profit increase to the rise in total operating income by 26.4 percent, as a result of higher net financing and investment income. 

Shareholders’ equity, excluding minority interest, increased to SR 63.637 billion, compared to SR 54.919 billion at the end of the same period of 2020. 


Saudi Arabia ranks 2nd globally in digital government, World Bank 2025 index shows


Updated 58 min 52 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia ranks 2nd globally in digital government, World Bank 2025 index shows


WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia has achieved a historic milestone by securing second place worldwide in the 2025 GovTech Maturity Index released by the World Bank.

The announcement was made on Thursday during a press conference in Washington, DC, which evaluated 197 countries.

The Kingdom excelled across all sub-indicators, earning a 99.64 percent overall score and placing it in the “Very Advanced” category.

It achieved a score of 99.92 percent in the Core Government Systems Index, 99.90 percent in the Public Service Delivery Index, 99.30 percent in the Digital Citizen Engagement Index, and 99.50 percent in the Government Digital Transformation Enablers Index, reflecting some of the highest global scores.

This includes outstanding performance in digital infrastructure, core government systems, digital service delivery, and citizen engagement, among the highest globally.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan, governor of the Digital Government Authority, attributed this achievement to the unwavering support of the Saudi leadership, strong intergovernmental collaboration, and effective public-private partnerships.

He highlighted national efforts over recent years to re-engineer government services and build an advanced digital infrastructure, which enabled Saudi Arabia to reach this global standing.

Al-Suwaiyan emphasized that the Digital Government Authority continues to drive innovation and enhance the quality of digital services, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the national economy and consolidating the Kingdom’s transformation goals.

The 2025 GTMI data reflects Saudi Arabia’s excellence across key areas, including near-perfect scores in core government systems, public service delivery, digital citizen engagement, and government digital transformation enablers. This balanced performance places the Kingdom firmly in the “Grade A” classification for very advanced countries, demonstrating the maturity of its digital government ecosystem.

Saudi Arabia’s progress in the index has been remarkable: from 49th place in the 2020 edition, to third in 2022, and now second in 2025, confirming its status as a global leader in digital transformation and innovation.

The achievement also reflects the Kingdom’s focus on putting people at the center of digital transformation, enhancing user experience, improving government efficiency, and integrating artificial intelligence and emerging technologies across public services.