Kuwait Develops 'Sahel' Apps to Promote a Paperless Future
The Kuwaiti Council of Ministers has directed the Minister of State for Communications Affairs to expedite the development of the Sahel application, the unified government e-services platform. This initiative aims to eliminate paper transactions across government agencies, enhance digital transformation, and improve public sector efficiency.
To ensure continuous improvement, the Minister must submit a semi-annual report to the Council. This report will detail:
- Updates on existing and upcoming services.
- Key statistics on the app's performance.
- Progress in integrating government services.
A recent report covering August to December 2024 was reviewed by the Council during its meeting on February 4, 2025. The Public Services Committee analyzed the findings and provided strategic recommendations for further development.
The Committee, through a visual presentation by the Sahel Executive Committee, emphasized integrating all government services into a single platform. The following four key recommendations were issued:
- Activation of "Wasil" Center – A unified government communication center under the Civil Service Bureau.
- Acceleration of Digital Services Integration – Directing agencies to digitize services and integrate them into Sahel using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Enhanced Data Sharing – Encouraging agencies to upload data on Sahel Data Sharing for a better user experience.
- Financial Support – Allocating a dedicated budget to support and maintain the app.
The Executive Committee outlined several operational requests under Ministerial Resolution No. 79 of 2024, which include:
- Full activation of "Wasil" to improve unified government communication.
- Financial resource allocation for app sustainability.
- Regular inter-agency coordination to ensure smooth implementation.
- Fast-tracking digitization efforts and improved data sharing via Sahel Data Sharing.
Following these developments, the Council of Ministers assigned two key responsibilities to the Minister of State for Communications Affairs:
- Coordination with the Civil Service Bureau to activate "Wasil", ensuring smooth government communication.
- Collaboration with the Ministry of Finance to secure essential funding for Sahel’s continued operation and enhancement.
These efforts represent a significant step in Kuwait’s digital transformation journey, enhancing government efficiency and streamlining public service accessibility. By fully integrating all government services into a single digital platform, Kuwait aims to achieve seamless e-governance and improved citizen experience.