No plan to integrate Absher, Tawakkalna apps, Saudi assistant interior minister says
Media reports likely sparked by a ‘colleague’s own point of view,’ Prince Bandar says
The platforms complement one another and the country needs both, he says
Updated 09 February 2022
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
JEDDAH: A senior Saudi official has dismissed reports that the government is planning to integrate its Absher and Tawakkalna apps.
Speaking at the Innovation and Future of Government Work Conference, Prince Bandar bin Abdullah Al-Mishari, assistant minister of interior for technology affairs, said that the suggestion that the two platforms were to be rolled into one was inaccurate.
Speaking on the role of innovation in achieving Saudi Vision 2030, the prince said that comments about such a move might have “come out spontaneously from one of the colleagues during the LEAP Conference.”
He added: “It was perhaps that colleague’s own point of view, and a media representative made a story out of it.”
Prince Bandar, who directed the Interior Ministry’s National Information Center from 2008 to 2013, continued: “There is nothing true about that, as Absher has its own field of services that the MoI provides, while Tawakkalna has another field in regard to national services.”
The two apps complemented one another, and the country needed both of them, he said.
“There are a number of Absher services that can be accessed through the Tawakkalna app, as well as other government services,” Prince Bandar said. “Absher still has a lot to do with the many digital transformation gaps within the MoI.”
He added that Tawakkalna had played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic in helping the Kingdom to deal with the health crisis.
Arab News reported on Sunday that despite media articles suggesting the government was planning to merge the two apps, there had been no official confirmation of such a move.
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
Updated 24 January 2026
SALEH FAREED
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
The sessions for students formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners. (Supplied)
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
