Empowering EconomicTransformation throughDigital Learning:The case of FutureXin Saudi ArabiaPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure Authorized © [2025] The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433Telephone: (202) 473-1000;Internet:www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work was prepared by The World Bank at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The findings, inter-pretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of The World Bank orthe governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work and does not assumeresponsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the infor-mation, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. The boundaries, colors, denominations, links/footnotes and other information shownin this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement oracceptance of such boundaries. The citation of works authored by others does not mean The World Bank endorses the views expressed bythose authors or the content of their works. Nothing herein shall constitute or be construed or considered to be a limitation upon or waiverof the privileges and immunities of The World Bank, all of which are specifically reserved. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may bereproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Attribution:Than Thi May, Maria Jose Vargas, Dominick Egan. 2025. Empowering Economic Transformation through Digital Learning: Thecase of FutureX in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. World Bank. Washington, DC. Translations:If you create a translation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: “This translation wasnot created by The World Bank and should not be considered an official World Bank translation. The World Bank shall not be liable for anycontent or error in this translation.” Adaptations:If you create an adaptation of this work, please add the following disclaimer along with the attribution: “This is an adaptationof an original work by The World Bank. Views and opinions expressed in the adaptation are the sole responsibility of the author or authorsof the adaptation and are not endorsed by The World Bank.” Cover design: Alejandro Espinoza Mejia (Sonideas). All queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank, 1818 H StreetNW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail:pubrights@worldbank.org. Acknowledgements This report is the product of collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s National eLearning Center(NeLC) and the World Bank under the Technical Cooperation Program with the Saudi Arabiagovernment. The collaboration was led by Mahmoud Elsayed (Senior Economist) and ThanhThi Mai (Senior Education Specialist, World Bank). The authors of the report are Thanh ThiMai (Senior Education Specialist, World Bank), Maria Jose Vargas (Economist, World Bank)and Dominick Egan (Learning Specialist Consultant, World Bank). The report’s authors arethankful to the World Bank peer reviewer Alex Twinomugisha (Senior Education Specialist,World Bank) whose comments enhanced the report content. The visual design and reporttheme was produced by Alejandro Espinoza Mejia. The report benefited from the strate-gic guidance and insights of Safaa El-Kogali (Division Director, Gulf Cooperation CouncilCountries, World Bank), Fadila Caillaud (Practice Manager, Education, Middle East and NorthAfrica, World Bank), and Shwetlena Sabarwal (Lead Economist, World Bank). The WorldBank team and authors express their sincere appreciation for counterparts involved in theWorld Bank’s partnerships with NeLC, and who provided guidance and valuable insightsand support during the report preparation, namely, Dr. Abdullah bin Muhamad Al-Walidi,Dr. Fahad Alenezi, Mr. Lokesh Rajendran, Dr. Fatimah Alqahtani, Ms. Lamya Alessa, Ms.Bashayer AlKinani and Mr. Zeid Alraqeeb. Contents Acknowledgements3Executive summary5Definitions and terminology71.Digital transformation for a changing world92.Background and context: The challenge113.Saudi Arabia—innovating a way forward with Future X14Institutional setting14FutureX design features16Scale and scope18Course offerings, pathways curation and demand19Monitoring and evaluation224.Ten features of FutureX235.FutureX at work: How are organizations using FutureX27Building skills for a dynamic labor market: MicroX 2024-202727Teacher professional development through FutureX296.The path forward30Expanding the reach30Deepening partnerships31Enhancing skills sophistication31Maximizing the value of FutureX as a l