Saudi platform Absher records 2.6m e-transactions in July amid digital shift

The interactive online platform experienced a surge in transactions during July, surpassing May’s record of 2.2 million. (Shutterstock)
Short Url
Updated 23 August 2023
Follow

Saudi platform Absher records 2.6m e-transactions in July amid digital shift

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s online platform, Absher, facilitated 2.6 million electronic transactions in July, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda. 

Provided by the Saudi Interior Ministry, the interactive online platform experienced a surge in transactions during July, surpassing May’s record of 2.2 million.

The trend underscores the platform’s role in providing citizens, residents, and visitors easy access to essential e-services across multiple ministry departments.

Launched in 2010, Absher’s online service was introduced to enhance productivity and streamline operations within government bodies while elevating customer satisfaction levels.

In its latest report, Absher revealed that the Interior Ministry’s Agency for Civil Status saw a notable surge in online activity in July. 

Specifically, the platform recorded 128,255 e-transactions for ID validity verification, followed by 27,505 for national ID renewal. 

Additionally, Absher handled 11,057 e-transactions focused on issuing family registries, underscoring its significance in providing seamless digital services. 

The Byanati service, which addresses the Kingdom’s civil affairs, saw Absher serving 37,185 individuals in July. It included 9,209 e-transactions to issue replacements for damaged national IDs and 28,517 for lost national IDs.

The General Directorate of Passports utilized Absher to issue or renew 393,986 electronic passports and 640,588 residency permits in the past month.

The platform also facilitated 58,270 inquiries for extending exit and reentry visas and 389,803 for issuing new ones.

Absher enabled other transactions, including 6,642 for transferring services, 32,246 for residency print requests and 15,047 for canceling final exit visas. 

The General Directorate of Passports conducted 2,029 transactions to issue authorizations for female employees arriving for work, alongside 109,736 transactions for issuing and renewing passports for periods less than a decade.

On the traffic front, Absher paved the way for the services of the General Directorate of Traffic, Muroor.

In July, these operations included 108,469 transactions for vehicle license renewal, 86,717 requests for vehicle repair permits, 66,096 for driver license renewal, and 84,347 requests for driving authorizations.

Additional traffic operations through Absher in July encompassed 17,885 transactions for scrapping damaged and unwanted vehicles and 13,797 transactions for vehicle sales.

The platform also facilitated 4,881 transactions to review vehicle insurance validity and 23,327 transactions for replacing number plates.


Arab Energy Fund takes minority stake in Saudi energy firm APSCO 

Updated 15 January 2026
Follow

Arab Energy Fund takes minority stake in Saudi energy firm APSCO 

RIYADH: The Arab Energy Fund has acquired a minority stake in Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Petroleum Supply Co., backing one of the Kingdom’s largest private energy solutions providers as it looks to expand across the Middle East and beyond. 

The investment initiates a partnership aimed at pursuing opportunities across the Middle East, North Africa, and select international markets, covering APSCO’s core and adjacent business sectors. 

The move underscores TAEF’s commitment to investing in established regional leaders while promoting innovation and sustainable growth across the energy value chain. 

According to a press release, the transaction marks The Arab Energy Fund’s first investment of 2026, following an active 2025 during which the fund completed several key deals, including investments in Jafurah Midstream Gas Co. alongside BlackRock and in the platform Tagaddod. 

Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, CEO of The Arab Energy Fund, commented on the deal, saying: “APSCO represents a unique platform with strong fundamentals and a proven track record in critical energy segments.” 

He added: “This investment aligns with our mandate to support high-quality energy and energy-adjacent businesses that are well-positioned to capture growth across the region and beyond.” 

The Arab Energy Fund is a multilateral impact financial institution established in 1974 by 10 Arab oil-exporting countries. 

Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Alireza, managing director, APSCO, said: “We welcome The Arab Energy Fund as a strategic partner supporting our next phase of growth.” 

He added: “As a pioneer in energy solutions for over 60 years, APSCO remains committed to quality, reliability, and innovation, while continuing to contribute to Vision 2030 by enhancing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact.” 

The partnership is designed to bolster APSCO’s long-term growth strategy, operational excellence, and geographic expansion, leveraging TAEF’s regional expertise and institutional network. 

APSCO is a Saudi energy company with more than 60 years of experience in integrated energy solutions, including aviation fuels, lubricants, and a nationwide automotive retail network. 

The company holds long-term partnerships with global energy leaders, including a 60-year relationship with ExxonMobil for lubricant distribution across several Middle Eastern countries. Since 1999, APSCO has also been the exclusive aviation fueling services provider for Saudia.