Ihsan Bafaqih Named Secretary of Jeddah Governorate

A royal decree issued on 11 July 2026 appointed Ihsan bin Abbas bin Hamza Bafaqih as Secretary (Mayor) of Jeddah Governorate at the excellent rank. As of September 2026, he is serving in the role and has begun inspection tours of projects and informal areas across the governorate.

The excellent rank places the position within the top tier of senior officials in the Saudi civil-service system. It is distinct from ministerial rank, which sits within a separate category of ministers and their deputies. The appointment is an administrative leadership change rather than a citizen-facing procedure.

The decree directs the competent government entities to adopt and implement the appointment internally. There are no online applications, payments, or individual steps for residents or businesses to complete. The change does not involve any of the Kingdom's public e-service platforms, and no fees or validity periods are attached to it.

Why it matters for Jeddah

Leadership of the governorate's secretariat covers municipal services, urban planning, and the oversight of major projects across the city. Early inspection tours of projects and informal areas point to a focus on service delivery and on the ongoing efforts to improve neighbourhoods within Jeddah.

For residents and business owners, day-to-day municipal services and procedures continue as normal. No current 2026 regulatory changes, fees, or new requirements have been published in connection with this appointment; it is a change at the top of the organisation rather than an update to any public service.

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