Abdullah Al-Swaha

Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha has served as Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology since April 2017, a role that makes him responsible for the Kingdom's ICT infrastructure and digital strategy. He chairs the Board of Directors of Neo Space Group, a Public Investment Fund subsidiary focused on satellite communications and space technology launched in May 2024.

Al-Swaha earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and communications engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and a degree in computer science from the University of Washington in Seattle. He completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School and Duke University.

Career history

• CEO and Vice President at Cisco Saudi Arabia (2005-2017), holding positions as regional manager, operations manager, and ultimately chief executive officer of the operation ranked fifth in Cisco's global operations
• Director-General of the Kingdom's Digital Transformation Office, overseeing creation of national digital identity, open data adoption, and digital entrepreneurship promotion
• Chief Digital Officer of Saudi Arabia responsible for leading digitization efforts across the public sector as part of Vision 2030
• Technical and executive advisor (2005-2010) to multiple ministries including Defense, Interior, Education, Health, Justice, and Communications

Al-Swaha is known for his instrumental role in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation under Vision 2030. He founded Obeeva, a social entrepreneurship incubator that launched the first mobile health application in the Middle East. He holds multiple concurrent board chairs including the Saudi Space Agency, Research Development and Innovation Authority, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), and the Communications and Information Technology Commission.

What Al-Swaha could bring to Neo Space Group: With over two decades of technology leadership spanning private sector innovation at Cisco and public sector digital transformation, Al-Swaha brings strategic vision for scaling space technology infrastructure to support Saudi Arabia's global positioning in the space economy. His expertise in building high-performing organizations, combined with his government relationships and experience managing multi-billion riyal initiatives, positions him to guide Neo Space Group's mission to become Saudi Arabia's national space champion aligned with Vision 2030.