Ihsan Bafaqih Named Secretary of Jeddah Governorate

Ihsan bin Abbas bin Hamza Bafaqih has been appointed Secretary (Mayor) of Jeddah Governorate by royal order issued on 11 July 2026, at the excellent rank. The appointment forms part of the Kingdom's wider administrative modernization drive and its governance reforms under Vision 2030, with a focus on improving municipal services, quality of life, and institutional efficiency across Jeddah.

Bafaqih brings extensive public-sector experience to the role. He previously served as Governor of the State Properties General Authority from 27 December 2018 to 5 March 2023, alongside senior economic and banking positions, adding technocratic depth to the leadership of the city's municipal administration.

Priorities for Jeddah

In his new role, Bafaqih is prioritizing stronger institutional work and closer coordination between municipal departments to raise the efficiency of services. He is also focused on consolidating existing achievements and building on prior projects rather than starting over, while accelerating project delivery, improving performance indicators, and enhancing residents' quality of life in line with Vision 2030 targets.

Modernization efforts under his tenure include field inspections and aerial surveys of ongoing municipal projects and of informal or unsafe neighborhoods, aimed at strengthening planning, implementation, and coordination between agencies. He is also directly reviewing priority infrastructure and municipal service projects to ensure timelines, completion stages, and quality standards are met.

For residents of Jeddah, the appointment signals continued momentum on city services and infrastructure. The move itself does not introduce any new public service fees, prices, or procedures, and municipal digital and administrative modernization continues to rely on the Kingdom's existing e-government platforms and municipal systems.

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