IBM and MCIT Empower Over 500,000 Saudi Nationals with Digital Skills, Exceeding Vision 2030 Goals

Historic Milestone Achieved in Digital Skills Development

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – IBM has announced a significant milestone in its digital skills initiative in Saudi Arabia, empowering over 500,000 Saudi nationals through its global SkillsBuild program. This achievement, realized in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), was unveiled on December 11, 2025, during the IBM Think on Tour 2025 event in Riyadh.

The initiative has substantially surpassed its initial goal, which was set at 100,000 individuals less than four years ago. IBM reported exceeding this target by five times and completing the empowerment 18 months ahead of schedule. This rapid progress underscores the commitment of both IBM and the Saudi government to fostering a digitally proficient workforce aligned with the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030.

Strategic Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

The digital skills program is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, reduce reliance on oil, and create a vibrant, knowledge-based, and innovation-driven society. The training provided through IBM SkillsBuild has focused on critical areas essential for the future economy, including:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Data Science
• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Other emerging technologies

Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, 'Overachieving this goal is a testament to the ambition of Saudi youth and the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors.' He added, 'We are proud to continue working with MCIT to enable the next generation of innovators in alignment with Vision 2030, and we remain firmly committed to scaling our efforts to equip even more Saudis with future-ready digital skills in the years ahead.'

Broad Partnerships and Diverse Impact

The success of the initiative is attributed to extensive partnerships across various sectors. The local delivery of the IBM SkillsBuild programs was supported by strategic collaborations with key national organizations, including King Saud University, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, the National eLearning Center (NeLC), the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), and the One Million Saudis in AI Initiative (SAMAI).

The program has also undertaken specific initiatives to broaden its reach and impact:

• Organizing online summer camps for high school students to introduce them to the fundamentals of AI and emerging technologies.
• Training over 2,000 teachers through the National Institute for Educational Professional Development (NIEPD) in artificial intelligence, data, and computer science, thereby empowering educators to equip future generations.

Notably, Saudi women have been integral beneficiaries of this initiative, gaining opportunities in AI and other emerging technologies. Safa Alrashed, Acting Deputy Minister for Capabilities & Future Work at MCIT, highlighted the initiative's role in advancing a digitally proficient and innovation-driven society, stating, 'We take great pride in our collaboration with IBM, which represents a significant commitment to enhancing the skills of our national workforce.'

About IBM SkillsBuild

IBM SkillsBuild is a free, global education and digital skilling program designed to provide online learning resources, project-based training, and industry-recognized credentials. The platform offers over 1,000 courses in more than 20 languages, covering a wide range of in-demand digital skills. It aims to bridge global skills gaps and expand access to free digital education, building on IBM's long-standing involvement in education and workforce development.