Saudi Arabia has taken a significant step toward modernizing its waste management ecosystem, launching an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a nationwide digital platform under a long-term public-private partnership model, according to a report by Zawya Projects.

The initiative is being led by the National Centre for Waste Management (MWAN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture, the Environment Fund, and the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP.

The project, structured as an 11-year Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain and Transfer (DBFOMT) contract, aims to create a fully integrated digital backbone for the Kingdom’s waste sector. Once implemented, the platform is expected to unify data, streamline operations, and enhance regulatory oversight across the entire waste value chain.

The platform will deliver a comprehensive suite of digital services, including seven key business applications supported by 27 functional modules. These will cover critical areas such as licensing systems, stakeholder and customer management, electronic waste tracking (e-manifest), compliance reporting, and advanced data analytics. The platform will also introduce marketplace features and smart contract capabilities, signalling a shift toward a more transparent and digitally enabled waste economy.

A central objective of the initiative is to enable real-time data collection and analysis, allowing authorities to monitor performance, ensure compliance, and integrate stakeholders more effectively. Continuous system upgrades and operational reliability will be maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

The EOI submission deadline has been set for May 6, 2026, marking the first phase in attracting private sector participation for what is expected to be a cornerstone project in Saudi Arabia’s environmental infrastructure.

The move aligns with the Kingdom’s broader sustainability ambitions. MWAN continues to play a regulatory role in advancing circular economy principles, as Saudi Arabia targets diverting 90% of waste away from landfills by 2040. This includes recycling 40% of waste, composting 31%, and converting 16% into energy.