Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build next-generation smart cities took the spotlight at the Smart City Expo World Congress on Nov. 6, with Esam Alwagait, director of the National Information Centre under the Saudi Data and AI Authority, detailing the country’s digital transformation and its alignment with Vision 2030, a strategic initiative launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to modernize the Kingdom.
A key element in this transformation is Tawakkalna, a platform that began as a COVID-19 management app and has since evolved into a digital portal for more than 30 million users, supporting over 315 government services. Other platforms, including Smart C, the DEEM government cloud, and the Estishraf analytics tool, are also integral to improving urban services for both residents and visitors.
“Emerging technologies are reshaping our cities,” Alwagait said. “It’s not just about infrastructure, but about creating cities that are adaptive, proactive, and efficient in addressing challenges. Technology is integral to Saudi Arabia’s urban development.”
The Smart C platform has helped reduce traffic-related fatalities by 50 percent through improved traffic management. DEEM has enabled digital transformation across more than 250 government entities, saving 64 megawatts of power and cutting 608 kilotons of carbon emissions. The National Data Bank facilitates data sharing between public and private sectors, with 370 integrated systems and 420 APIs. Estishraf, which uses artificial intelligence to tackle urban challenges, has saved Saudi Arabia around $13.6 million in operational efficiencies.
The capital city, Riyadh, ranks among the world’s top 25 smart cities on the IMD Smart Cities Index. The city’s Smart Riyadh Operations Center, an AI-powered facility, has reduced congestion by 36 percent during large events. The NEOM project, aiming to build a sustainable, carbon-neutral city, uses digital twins and AI technology to prepare for future needs.
Saudi Arabia’s smart city plans are also supported by international partnerships. South Korea’s Hyundai Motor and LG CNS contribute autonomous driving technology and digital twins for urban management. U.S.-based Google and Microsoft provide cloud infrastructure and data management for real-time operations.
Chinese companies Huawei and Alibaba offer IoT-based urban management and smart healthcare solutions. France’s Schneider Electric and TotalEnergies are involved in sustainable energy and smart building technologies.
Germany’s Siemens supplies autonomous trains, electrification, and signaling systems for Riyadh’s metro, aiding Saudi Arabia’s transport modernization and emissions reduction. Japan’s Toyota is contributing hydrogen-powered electric and autonomous vehicles to the NEOM project. Spain’s Acciona is helping expand the country’s energy infrastructure through solar power and sustainable building projects.
“Our vision for Saudi cities goes beyond technological advancements,” Alwagait said. “We are aligning with international sustainability goals, focusing on resilience and quality of life. We invite global collaboration to help build cities prepared for the future.”
