Saud Al Ghonaim
Al Rajhi Takaful
Chief Executive Officer
From AI-powered underwriting to embedded insurance and health platforms like Hayatx and Salamati, Al Rajhi Takaful is transforming how protection is delivered in Saudi Arabia. CEO Saud Al Ghonaim tells Raheel Vakeel of Qorus how the insurer is building the future of Takaful—smarter, faster, and more human than ever.
Could you introduce Al Rajhi Takaful, its main lines of business, and its geographical scope?
Al Rajhi Takaful is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading Shariah-compliant insurers, serving millions of customers across health, motor, life and general insurance. With nationwide coverage and one of the Kingdom’s most extensive distribution networks, spanning branches, partners, and best-in-class digital channels - we combine financial strength with customer-centric innovation. Our growth is anchored in trust, prudent risk management, and continuous investment in technology and talent to deliver simple, reliable protection for individuals, families, and businesses.
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Where do you stand in terms of digital distribution and embedded insurance?
Digital distribution is central to our strategy. We have introduced a state of art sales platform for our motor business allowing us to achieve scale, speed and high volume throughput thus enabling us not only to manage existing volume but also to be future ready as we grow our business. We’ve modernized our mobile apps and online portals to make policy purchase, servicing, and claims simple and intuitive. We’re also scaling embedded insurance by integrating our products directly within partner ecosystems - such as e-commerce, mobility, health, and financial platforms - so customers receive the right protection at the exact moment of need, with minimal friction. This “protection-as-a-feature” approach expands access and improves the overall experience.
What is your offering in cyber insurance, and is it a line of business you strongly believe in?
We provide comprehensive cyber protection for individuals and enterprises, covering data breaches, ransomware, digital fraud, and cyber business interruption, including incident response and recovery support. We even include coverage against cyber bullying for individual clients. As cyber risks accelerate with digitization and AI adoption, we view cyber insurance as a strategic growth line.
What is your strategy on prevention vs. claims?
We’re shifting from being a payer of claims to a partner in prevention—reducing risk, costs, and disruption for customers.
• Health and wellness: We promote preventive care, early screening, chronic disease management, and healthy lifestyle choices
• Motor safety: We are exploring the use of telematics and driver behavior analytics to encourage safer driving, reward good habits, and reduce accident frequency
• Flagship programs: Our Hayatx and Salamti programs are central to changing consumer lifestyles.
Hayatx focuses on holistic wellness, activity tracking and mental well-being using digital nudges, challenges, and personalized insights to build sustainable habits all while rewarding the users with great prizes.
• Salamati (in‑app feature): Available inside the Al Rajhi Takaful app, Salamati enables direct or scheduled consultations with licensed doctors, home delivery of medications, in‑home lab tests, and additional health services. By making access to care immediate and convenient, Salamati helps members act early, adhere to treatment, and avoid avoidable claims.
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Where does Al Rajhi Takaful stand on AI and data in underwriting and claims?
We’re leveraging AI and advanced analytics across the value chain:
• Underwriting: Risk scoring, pricing optimization, and straight-through processing for faster decisions with consistent Shariah-compliant governance.
• Claims: Automated triage, fraud detection, and faster adjudication, resulting in quicker, more accurate settlements.
• Personalization: Predictive models to tailor coverage, benefits, and engagement, improving retention and lifetime value while elevating the customer experience.
• Customer experience: We use AI to assess quality of calls and identify areas for improvement.
What are the main challenges in growing and managing Takaful insurance, particularly in digitization and innovation?
Key challenges include:
• Keeping pace with evolving customer expectations and rapid technological advancements.
• Building deeper customer understanding of Takaful’s cooperative model and benefits.
• Modernizing legacy processes while ensuring cybersecurity and data privacy.
We address these by simplifying products, digitizing journeys end-to-end, strengthening Shariah governance frameworks, and investing in education and transparency to build trust and adoption.
How is Al Rajhi Takaful investing in workforce development?
We have introduced an award winning digital solution for our employees which allows them to manage their needs with the click of a few buttons. We are also developing capabilities in data science, actuarial science, product design, cyber risk, and customer experience. Our investments include specialized certifications, leadership tracks, university partnerships, and cross-functional labs that foster innovation. We also cultivate a culture of continuous learning and ethical AI, ensuring our teams are ready for the industry’s next phase.
At Al Rajhi Takaful, we’re dedicated to developing national talent in line with Vision 2030. With over 880 Saudi employees, Saudization exceeding 86%, and women representing more than 30% of our workforce, we continue to invest in leadership programs and university partnerships to build future insurance professionals. Our focus areas include data science, product design, and customer experience, supported by “OFOQ,” our award-winning digital platform that simplifies HR services.
How is Al Rajhi Takaful positioning itself within insurtech ecosystems?
We embrace open collaboration through APIs and platform models, partnering with insurtechs to co-create solutions in distribution, underwriting, fraud detection, and claims automation. These partnerships allow seamless integration of insurance into everyday experiences, expand our reach, and accelerate time-to-market—keeping us at the forefront of customer-centric innovation.
What are the main expectations of customers in life insurance, and how do you meet them?
Customers seek security, transparency, affordability, and flexibility. We deliver:
• Clear, modular life (family) products - from protection-only to savings-linked plans - adaptable to family and business needs.
• Transparent terms, simple onboarding, and flexible payment options.
• Omnichannel access across digital self-service and advisory support.
We also offer financial literacy and protection planning tools to help customers choose confidently.
What is your strategy to address demographic challenges in life insurance?
Saudi Arabia’s demographics require tailored solutions:
• Younger segments: Entry-level protection, micro-coverage options, and savings plans that build early habits - supported by digital onboarding and education.
• Older segments: Retirement, income protection, and long-term care solutions with flexible benefits.
We combine targeted products with proactive financial education, wellness incentives, and lifecycle engagement - supported by programs like Hayatx and Salamti - to improve long-term outcomes and protection adequacy across age groups.