Geospatial infrastructure Saudi Arabia has developed over recent years reflects a wider shift in how the Kingdom collects, manages and uses location-based information. The country ranked 9th globally in the 2025 Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Readiness Index, placing it ahead of Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Within the G20, Saudi Arabia ranked 6th, while also taking the highest position in the Middle East. For MFD Services, this progress shows how national geospatial data is becoming part of practical decision-making across government, infrastructure, transport, construction, utilities and other sectors.
The result is linked to more than the wider use of digital maps. Saudi Arabia has built national systems for geospatial data, introduced sector standards and policies, and established the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) as the authority responsible for the surveying and geospatial information sector. Its work is also connected to Saudi Vision 2030 and the country’s wider digital economy plans, supported by growing Saudi digital infrastructure.
Geospatial Infrastructure Saudi Arabia in 2026
As of 2026, the latest available Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Readiness Index places Saudi Arabia 9th globally, with a score of 63.4, and 6th among G20 countries in the G20 geospatial ranking. The Kingdom also holds the highest position in the Middle East and Arab world in the latest published edition. The ranking measures five areas: infrastructure, policy landscape, user adoption, industry ecosystem and institutional capacity.
The latest published results show Saudi Arabia’s position across these areas:
- 7th for infrastructure
- 6th for policy landscape
- 12th for user adoption
- 8th for industry ecosystem
- 25th for institutional capacity
These rankings come from the latest published GKI edition and remain the reference point for Saudi Arabia in 2026. At the same time, the Kingdom’s geospatial sector continues to develop through the work of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), including national geospatial platforms, standards, licensing services, data policies and governance frameworks.
For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia in 2026, this development means geospatial information is becoming increasingly connected to practical areas such as land management, infrastructure planning, transport, utilities, construction, tourism and public services.
What Is Driving Geospatial Development in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia’s geospatial progress is closely linked to the work of GEOSA. The authority’s current strategy is built around three main areas: regulation, supervision and oversight of the sector; geospatial infrastructure and investment; and national capacity building and geospatial innovation.
This structure matters because geospatial information is not limited to maps. It includes the data, standards, systems, applications and professional activities needed to understand locations and the relationships between them.
GEOSA also establishes standards for the surveying, geospatial information and imaging sector and works on their implementation and compliance. Commercial establishments carrying out geospatial activities can also access geospatial licensing services through GEOSA. Separate permits cover activities such as aerial photography, aerial surveys and marine hydrographic survey work.
This gives Saudi businesses a clearer regulatory structure when they work in surveying, mapping, imaging and related geospatial activities.
The National Geospatial Platform
One of the most important parts of Saudi Arabia’s geospatial infrastructure is the National Geospatial Platform.
GEOSA describes the platform as a gateway to the National Geospatial Infrastructure. It brings together geospatial data from government entities through a national system and database, allowing information to be accessed and shared according to national publication policies. The platform is designed to support decision-making, improve data quality, integrate geospatial services and strengthen the security of national geospatial information.
The platform is not restricted to government use. GEOSA lists four main beneficiary groups:
- Government entities
- Private-sector organisations
- Academic institutions
- Individuals
The current platform information records more than 75 government entities, 52 private-sector entities and 18 academic entities as users.
The data available through the platform also shows how broad Saudi Arabia’s geospatial infrastructure has become. Its foundation themes include administrative regions, elevation, geographical names, geology, imagery, land cover, land parcels, land use, National Address, transport, water, buildings, population distribution, utilities and the national spatial reference.
These datasets can support activities ranging from infrastructure planning and land management to transport planning and public services.
Why National Geospatial Data Matters to Saudi Businesses
For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia, reliable location data can affect decisions long before a project reaches the construction or operational stage.
A developer, for example, may need information about land parcels, surrounding buildings, transport links, utilities and land use before assessing a site. A logistics company may need accurate transport and address information to plan routes and service areas. Utility companies can use spatial information to understand networks and locations, while engineering firms can use survey and mapping data during project planning.
The value comes from having different types of location information that can be brought together rather than keeping every dataset in a separate system. MFD Services sees this joined-up use of data as one of the clearest benefits of the national framework.
This also matters for large infrastructure programmes. Saudi Arabia is developing new urban areas, transport networks, tourism destinations, industrial projects and public facilities. These projects require information about land, roads, buildings, terrain, utilities and surrounding areas.
Reliable geospatial information can help different parties work from consistent data when planning and delivering such projects.
Saudi Digital Infrastructure and Saudi Vision 2030
Geospatial information has a direct connection to Saudi Vision 2030. GEOSA states that geospatial information supports Vision 2030 objectives through data, applications, spatial analysis and staff training, helping organisations make decisions based on location.
The National Geospatial Strategy also links geospatial development with the national digital economy, productivity, technological progress, innovation, skills development, environmental protection and sustainable development. It also identifies the National Geospatial Platform as the national source for geospatial information.
Some applications are particularly relevant to Saudi priorities.
Hajj and Umrah
Geospatial information can support planning related to accommodation, transport, movement and crowd management. GEOSA specifically identifies geospatial data as supporting easier and safer movement for pilgrims and helping authorities with planning and decision-making.
Water Management
Spatial data can provide information about groundwater, natural water flows, valleys and water distribution networks. This can support planning and management of water resources.
Heritage and Tourism
Identifying the locations of heritage sites and connecting those locations with descriptive information can make sites easier to access and document.
These examples show that geospatial infrastructure is connected to actual national services rather than being limited to technical mapping work.
The Role of Standards and Data Governance
Having large amounts of geospatial data is not enough if organisations collect, store and exchange that information in different ways.
This is why standards and data governance form an important part of Saudi Arabia’s geospatial work. GEOSA establishes standards for surveying, geospatial information and imaging, while its national strategy includes areas such as governance, policies and laws, data, standards, partnerships, capacity and education.
For businesses, this can affect how geospatial work is carried out and how data is prepared for use.
A company involved in surveying or geospatial information may need to consider the relevant GEOSA requirements, licensing arrangements and technical standards before carrying out regulated activities. The Digital Geospatial Services Portal now provides online services for geospatial licences, permits and product requests, including application tracking and fee payments.
This creates a more defined operating environment for companies working in the sector.
What the G20 Geospatial Ranking Means for Saudi Industries
The GKI ranking is significant because geospatial information supports many parts of the Saudi economy.
Construction and Real Estate
Developers and engineering firms can use land, building, elevation, transport and utility information when assessing sites and preparing projects.
Transport and Logistics
Transport datasets and National Address information can support route planning, infrastructure development and location-based services.
Energy and Utilities
Spatial information can help organisations understand the location of assets, networks, land and environmental conditions when planning and maintaining infrastructure.
Agriculture and Environment
Satellite imagery, land-cover information, water data and spatial analysis can support agricultural planning and environmental monitoring.
Tourism and Major Developments
Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism and destination projects require accurate information about land, roads, buildings, heritage sites, services and surrounding areas.
The common factor across these sectors is the need to connect business decisions to accurate information about where something is.
What Comes Next for Saudi Arabia’s Geospatial Sector?
Saudi Arabia’s current position gives the sector a strong base, but the 2025 GKI results also show areas where further progress can be made. The Kingdom ranked 25th for institutional capacity, compared with 7th for infrastructure and 6th for policy landscape.
This suggests that future progress will not only depend on building more technology. Skills, professional capacity, industry participation and the effective use of existing systems will also matter.
GEOSA’s strategy already identifies national capacity building and geospatial innovation as one of its three main pillars. The authority also aims to support qualified human capabilities and participation from stakeholders and strategic partners.
For Saudi businesses, this can mean greater demand for professionals who understand GIS, surveying, remote sensing, spatial databases, mapping, data analysis and related technologies.
As more government and private-sector projects depend on location-based information, geospatial knowledge is likely to become relevant to a wider range of business functions. MFD Services continues to follow these developments closely as demand for reliable location data grows.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s 6th position among G20 countries and 9th global position in the 2025 GKI Readiness Index reflect substantial development in the geospatial infrastructure Saudi Arabia has built. The progress is supported by GEOSA, the National Geospatial Platform, national standards, geospatial policies and a strategy connected to Saudi Vision 2030.
For MFD Services, the more important point is what these developments mean beyond the ranking itself. Saudi businesses and government entities now have access to a growing national framework for using location-based information in planning, infrastructure, transport, utilities, tourism and other sectors. As the Kingdom continues investing in digital services and major development projects, accurate geospatial information will remain an important part of how projects are planned and managed.
FAQs
What is Saudi Arabia’s global geospatial ranking in 2025?
Saudi Arabia ranked 9th globally in the 2025 GKI Readiness Index, with a score of 63.4.
What is the National Geospatial Platform in Saudi Arabia?
It is a national platform that brings together geospatial data and services for government entities, private-sector organisations, academic institutions and individuals.
Which authority regulates geospatial activities in Saudi Arabia?
The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA) oversees the surveying and geospatial information sector and provides relevant standards, licences and permits.
How is geospatial data used in Saudi Arabia?
It supports areas such as infrastructure planning, transport, land management, utilities, water resources, Hajj and Umrah planning, tourism and environmental work.
Why is geospatial infrastructure important under Saudi Vision 2030?
Geospatial information supports digital services, location-based decision-making, national development programmes, productivity, infrastructure planning and several Vision 2030 objectives.