Digital Integrity in the Gulf: Policy Innovations and Technological Tools to Combat Corruption in GCC States

Digital technologies are increasingly used to enhance transparency and accountability in public governance. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), governments have deployed e-procurement systems, open data portals, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to modernize public administration and deter corruption. However, the impact of these technologies varies widely across the region. This chapter analyzes how legal frameworks, institutional structures, and civic conditions shape the effectiveness of digital anti-corruption tools in six GCC countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Using a comparative legal-policy approach, the study identifies the enabling conditions that determine whether digital innovation results in structural integrity reform or merely administrative efficiency. Findings suggest that while digital tools offer significant potential, their success depends on coherent legislation, inter-agency coordination, and inclusive governance.