Saudi minister visits tech firms in Jeddah to advance digital economy push

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha visited technology companies Salla and Classera in Jeddah on 20 May 2026 as part of ministry efforts to accelerate the national digital economy and enable smart solutions across key sectors, including Hajj and Umrah services. During the visit Alswaha reviewed initiatives to support digital commerce, enterprise growth and smart education, and witnessed the signing of an agreement between Classera and Zain KSA to deliver integrated smart educational solutions and more interactive digital learning environments, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

"The council emphasized the importance of enabling startups and investors to capitalize on opportunities in the Hajj and Umrah sectors and develop innovative business models that support the growth of the digital economy and enhance innovation in services provided to pilgrims," the Digital Entrepreneurship Council said following an event at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah.

Visits, partnership and technology review

At Salla, Alswaha discussed opportunities to bolster digital commerce and support company and enterprise growth, with an emphasis on developing smart solutions that improve user experience and contribute to the digital economy, according to the SPA. At Classera, the minister reviewed the company’s smart education and digital capability-building offerings and its role in fostering innovation and future-skills development.

Alswaha also witnessed the signing of a deal between Classera and Zain KSA intended to provide "integrated smart educational solutions aimed at developing more interactive and innovative digital learning environments," the SPA said. The agreement signals an alignment between an education-technology provider and a major telecom operator to scale digital learning tools across the Kingdom.

Hajj and Umrah technology focus and startup support

• The Digital Entrepreneurship Council, affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, hosted Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah at Dar Al-Hekma University in Jeddah.
• The event was attended by Abdullah Alswaha and a number of entrepreneurs and investors from the Makkah region.
• Discussions centered on the use of technology, artificial intelligence and digital solutions to improve Hajj and Umrah experiences and enhance service quality for pilgrims.
• Participants toured the university’s CODE Lab, where technological solutions and digital innovations developed by entrepreneurs and startups for Hajj, Umrah and visitation services were showcased.

Organizers stressed the need to enable startups and investors to seize opportunities in the Hajj and Umrah sectors, encouraging the development of scalable, innovative business models that can both support service providers and grow the digital economy. The combined visits and the Classera–Zain KSA agreement illustrate a coordinated push to pair sector-specific needs — from education to pilgrimage services — with private-sector tech capability and investment.

Outlook: The ministry’s engagement with Salla, Classera, Zain KSA and the Digital Entrepreneurship Council points to continued public-private collaboration aimed at accelerating digital solutions across critical national priorities. If implemented at scale, the partnerships and startup support mechanisms showcased in Jeddah could broaden digital commerce adoption, expand edtech deployment and introduce AI-driven services tailored to pilgrims’ needs in the coming years.