Qiwa Customer Service Transformation. | Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards

Qiwa Customer Service Transformation.

Category Group:
Customer Service Categories
Category:
Award for Most Innovative Customer Service Department/Team of the Year - Government
Organization Name:
Qiwa-Takamol
Organization Description:

Qiwa is a national digital platform established by the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development in Saudi Arabia. Its core mission is to modernize and streamline labor sector services by automating processes such as work permit management, contract administration, &expatriate visa automation,Qiwa focuses on reengineering business processes to achieve greater efficiency & seamless integration.

Qiwa is Saudi Arabia's national labor market platform, serving more than 14.5 million users and over 2 million establishments, while integrating services from 34+ government entities. As the system of record for employment status, wages, and regulatory compliance, Qiwa safeguards workforce stability and business continuity across the Kingdom. In this context, customer service is not a support function-it is a mission-critical national capability where delays or errors can directly affect livelihoods and legal compliance.

As the platform scaled, complexity increased across customer segments, channels, and regulatory scenarios. Individuals required urgent employment support, while large enterprises managed compliance for thousands of workers. Rising expectations for speed, transparency, and accessibility exposed the limitations of a reactive, channel-driven service model.

In response, Qiwa executed a comprehensive customer service transformation-shifting from case handling to proactive service assurance. Customer service was repositioned as a strategic enabler of platform reliability and national trust.

At the core of the transformation was a redesigned operating model. A centralized governance framework replaced fragmented channel management, introducing clear decision rights, structured escalation paths, and enterprise-wide oversight. A real-time "War Room" was established as a proactive command center, consolidating live data across all channels to detect high-risk cases and systemic issues early. Cross-functional teams collaborated in real time to prevent disruptions before they escalated, significantly reducing operational risk.

Frontline agents were empowered as end-to-end case owners rather than intermediaries. Through targeted capability uplift, integrated systems access, and defined decision frameworks, agents resolved complex cases independently. This reduced handoffs, accelerated resolution times, and strengthened accountability at first contact.

Service planning evolved from volume forecasting to a risk- and impact-based model. Cases affecting employment status, salaries, or compliance received priority handling. An integrated Customer Information System unified data across calls, chat, WhatsApp, social media, kiosks, and branches, enabling full visibility of customer journeys. Live dashboards and analytics shifted management from retrospective reporting to real-time control and predictive risk mitigation.

Processes were standardized in alignment with COPC standards, embedding quality assurance, structured escalation, and root-cause analysis into daily operations. Continuous improvement became institutionalized through daily performance reviews, cross-functional governance forums, and permanent resolution of systemic issues.

Inclusion was embedded as a service principle. Elderly customers and people with disabilities received priority handling, supported by one of the region's first sign-language video channels for government services. Specialized support models, including a VIP program for elite establishments, ensured tailored service for high-impact users.

The results delivered measurable national impact. SLA compliance increased from 80% to 96%. Complaint volumes declined by 97%. Average resolution time was reduced by 73%, while First Contact Resolution improved from 85% to 94%. Customer satisfaction rose from 87% to 91%, and service abandonment was eliminated. Expanded physical and virtual branches further strengthened nationwide accessibility.

Beyond performance metrics, the transformation reinforced public trust. By proactively preventing service disruption and safeguarding employment stability, Qiwa strengthened confidence in the Kingdom's labor market infrastructure.

Fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, Qiwa's Customer Service Transformation demonstrates how disciplined governance, intelligent planning, empowered teams, and inclusive design can redefine government service delivery at national scale. It stands as a benchmark for innovative, resilient, and high-impact customer service-positioning Qiwa as a leading contender for Most Innovative Customer Service Department of the Year.