About
Who we are?
The Riyadh Open Data Team (ODT) is a unit inside the Data Management Office (DMO) of the RCRC. The DMO and ODT started together and have nourished each other throughout their development.
What assets are brought by the DMO for a quality Open Data service?
The DMO is a unit inside the RCRC that acts like a data hub for the whole organization by:
- Hosting and maintaining data inventories;
- Defining the data classification of all RCRC departments, such as determining what is confidential and what can be made public;
- Organizing the storage and normalization of the data across all departments of the organization.
- Deploying the regulations of the NDMO.
- Creating a data culture inside the organization.
There is no better structure than the DMO for promoting the benefits of opening data to the public inside a government institution. By design, it is also the right service to drive and assist businesses in identifying the best datasets: the Open Data Service was originally been created for this purpose.
The ODT has leveraged the knowledge of the DMO on the availability of Riyadh data outside the RCRC.
What data regulators provide an Open Data Framework to the DMO?
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CITC), the Digital Government Authority (DGA), the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) are the major information technology regulators in the Kingdom.
The National Data Management Office (NDMO) is a branch of SDAIA. Both are the nation’s data regulators. The NDMO has published five regulations. One of them is specifically dedicated to open data:
- Data Classification Policy and Regulations
- Personal Data Protection Law and the Implementing Regulations
- Data Sharing Policy and Regulations
- Freedom of Information Policy and Regulations
- Open Data Policy and <Regulations
The framework is complete in terms of open data because all steps that enable to identify free datasets and to process them have been clearly formulated. Working with such a framework is necessary to remain consistent with other Open Data initiatives across the Kingdom and worldwide.
Both Riyadh Open Data and the National Open Data Strategy comply with international standards.
Open Data, a priority for the Royal Court
The Open Data Project gets the highest support nationwide.
The Open data is an initiative directly supported by the Royal Court. Actions related to the 2022 annual report to measure the Government’s digital transformation were reviewed by the Council of Ministers during a session held on 3/8/1445 AH. All open data initiatives are fully supported by the Government and considered as cornerstones of the Kingdom’s digital transformation.
The Royal Court has formulated seven recommendations regarding open data implementation:
- Include policies and mechanisms regarding data availability in NDMO’s regulations to ensure the quality of all open data.
- Make sure best practices are applied towards best quality and up-to-date datasets for a reliable infrastructure.
- Focus on goal achievements, measure impacts regularly, identify gaps and address them.
- Allow for flexible governance at all levels to ensure that every digital transformation goal is achieved.
- Promote a culture of digital transformation, through programs and events, by developing employee awareness.
- Implement service delivery channels suitable to the targeted communities.
- Develop synergies between government agencies to the benefit of all.
Our vision
Riyadh Open Data is a portal of knowledge, growth, and innovation for all citizens and businesses
Riyadh is a leader in the use of Open Data throughout the country and beyond
The development of data ecosystems throughout Riyadh is a business incubator
Opening up Government data will boost business opportunities, economic growth, etc.
Open Data is a contributor to a more peaceful climate in the region and in the GCC
Our mission
- Develop trust and confidence as an institution owing transparency to its citizens.
- Get the public community to participate to leverage institutional actions.
- Add value to the economy by stimulating new business applications and improving everyone’s life.
Our organization
Our multi-disciplinary team is at your service to support data quality and timely production in the fast-growing economy being implemented by Riyadh and the Kingdom as part of their Vision 2030.
Data analysts, economists, urbanists, and IT engineers are pulsing datasets, engaging with all types of stakeholders on the road to a digital economy for Riyadh.
Engage with us to get any data that you might need or to share with us your own data so that we can promote them and make them visible.
Our engagement policy
Engagement is our motto as we plan to anchor a “re-use” open data dynamic. We intend to make our data providers become data consumers whilst encouraging our consumers to entrust us with their own data, transforming them into data providers and creating a virtuous circle.
We already target a wide array of profiles:
- Government agencies
- Research communities
- Schools and universities
- Business communities
- Environment-related groups and initiatives
- Media, libraries and archives
- Local service providers
- Civil society organizations
