Innovation is not a hype in Saudi Arabia

Working in Saudi Arabia has a unique advantage for someone like me who is passionate about innovation science. Something that has not occurred for decades and may not happen again for a long time in other countries is happening there.

I am witnessing firsthand a prosperous and developed country building up a new national innovation system from scratch! The innovation consultants who were able to participate in such a large-scale operation in a developed country are either retired...or dead. As an innovation consultant, I feel fortunate to join this exciting and extensive journey.

National Innovation Systems (NIS) are not created equal. Even though they are influenced by each other, Saudi Arabia has adopted innovative approaches to leapfrog in establishing its national innovation systems. Of course, the process started by benchmarking the most innovative nations and leveraging the lessons learned. But the goal was to develop a system that is inclusive, innovative, and effective enough to enable the Kingdom to leapfrog and assume a leading economic role.

At the heart of Saudi Arabia's innovation system is a top-down approach to innovation. The country's national innovation system is established and updated by the Research, Development, Innovation Supreme Committee (RDISC). RDISC pilots multiple entities, including the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority (RDIA), in charge of executing and enforcing the strategy.

In the past, R&D and Innovation used to be governed separately and placed under different ministries, such as the Ministry of Education for R&D and the Ministry of Industry for Innovation in most countries. However, nowadays, many leading economies, including Saudi Arabia, have stopped making this distinction.

However, the Kingdom goes a step forward as innovation is not under any ministry jurisdiction but is instead a responsibility of a council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister. This highlights the significant role that innovation plays in the Kingdom's agenda.

Ministries are not the only entities responsible for implementing the NIS at the national level. Transformational entities like the Quality of Life Program or Vision Realisation Office play an essential role in bringing the innovation dimension into the decision-making process of any new initiative.

What about the Regional level? The Kingdom doesn't yet have Regional Innovation Systems (RIS), like South Korea and Germany for instance. However, the government recently announced the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) . It's an excellent and proven tool to leverage local innovative and creative ideas in each region. Within these SEZs, individual corporation campuses, science and technology parks, industrial parks, and innovation districts are empowered to foster innovation and economic growth.

Saudi Arabia's approach to innovation is a model for other countries to follow that focus on inclusivity and top-down development of national and regional innovation systems. By consolidating a national innovation system from the top down and translating it into a regional innovation system through SEZs with innovation districts, the Kingdom is creating a fertile ground for innovation and economic growth. I am excited to be a part of this change and look forward to contributing to the continued success of Saudi Arabia's innovation system.

If Innovation Enablement and Management are your passion, I invite you to reach at the KPMG Innovation Center of Excellence - we are based in Riyadh, the new capital of innovation.