Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market Research Report 2023

Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market Synopsis

Saudi Arabia's Smart Cities are Expected to Grow at a Significant Growth Rate, and the Forecast Period is 2023-2030, Considering the Base Year as 2022.

Smart cities in Saudi Arabia focus on developing advanced digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet connectivity, wireless networks, and fiber-optic communication systems to support various smart services and applications.

• Smart city projects in Saudi Arabia leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to connect and monitor various devices and sensors, enabling data collection and analysis for informed decision-making.
• The development of smart transportation systems is a key component of Saudi Arabia's smart city vision. This includes implementing intelligent traffic management, smart parking solutions, and integrating autonomous vehicles. Riyadh is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. It is the political, economic, and administrative center of Saudi Arabia. The city is known for its modern skyline, bustling markets, and historical sites such as Masmak Fort. Riyadh is an important business center with several government offices, international companies, and diplomatic missions. Riyadh's iconic skyscraper, the Kingdom Center Tower, is one of the city's landmarks, and its observation deck offers a magnificent view of the city.
• Jeddah is a large port city on the coast of the Red Sea. It is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and is an important commercial gateway for Saudi Arabia. Jeddah is known for its vibrant culture, historic architecture, and diverse expatriate population. The city's Corniche, a seaside promenade, is popular among locals and tourists. The King Fahd Fountain, also known as the Jeddah Fountain, is one of the tallest fountains in the world and a prominent landmark along the Jeddah Corniche.
• Mecca is Islam's holiest city and the destination of millions of Muslim pilgrims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The city is home to the Masjid al-Haram, home to the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site. Non-Muslims are not allowed to go to Mecca because of its religious importance.

Top Key Players:

"Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), NEOM (Saudi Arabia), Saudi Telecom Company (STC) (Saudi Arabia), Mobily (Etihad Etisalat) (Saudi Arabia), Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) (Saudi Arabia), Siemens (Germany), IBM (US), Cisco Systems (US), Honeywell (US), Schneider Electric (France), Huawei (China), Microsoft (US), Accenture (Ireland), Oracle (US), SAP (Germany), Ericsson (Sweden), Alstom (France), General Electric (GE) (US), ABB (Switzerland), ZTE Corporation (China), and Other Major Players."

Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market Trend Analysis

Sustainable Urban Development

• Sustainable urban development is crucial for smart cities in Saudi Arabia. With the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative and the country's commitment to environmental protection, the creation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly urban environment is even more emphasized.
• Sustainable urban development in smart cities involves the integration of renewable energy sources, smart grids, and energy-efficient buildings to reduce the carbon footprint. In addition, smart transport solutions such as electric vehicles, efficient public transport systems, and traffic management help reduce emissions and improve air quality.
• Water conservation is also an important part of sustainable urban development in Saudi Arabia due to the country's dry climate. Intelligent water management systems, such as sensor-based irrigation and leak detection, help optimize water use and minimize waste. Smart city waste management includes advanced technologies that promote recycling, waste-to-energy, and sustainable waste management practices.

Economic Growth and Innovation Ecosystem

• Implementation of smart city projects creates a demand for skilled professionals such as engineers, data scientists, and technology experts. This leads to job creation in various sectors, which promotes economic growth and lowers unemployment.
• Smart cities attract foreign investment because they offer attractive opportunities for companies involved in technology, infrastructure, and related services. International companies are attracted by the opportunities to be part of a dynamic and innovative urban landscape. Focusing on cutting-edge technologies and digital solutions in smart cities promotes an innovation ecosystem. Startups and technology companies are encouraged to be present in the region, which leads to industry collaboration and information exchange.
• Smart cities provide a thriving environment for startups and entrepreneurs. Incubators and innovation centers provide mentoring, funding, and access to resources, nurture homegrown talent, and promote entrepreneurship.

The data provided shows the revenue of the E-commerce market in Saudi Arabia in 2022, measured in billion US dollars. The revenue growth in the e-commerce market of Saudi Arabia in 2022 reflects the rapid digital transformation taking place in the country and the increasing preference of consumers for online shopping.

The substantial revenues in the fashion and electronics categories demonstrate the popularity of these segments in the online space, while the presence of various other categories such as beauty, health, personal care, and furniture indicates the growing acceptance of e-commerce in diverse aspects of Saudi consumers' lives. This shift towards e-commerce not only offers convenience and accessibility to consumers but also presents significant opportunities for businesses to tap into a rapidly expanding market in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market Segment Analysis

Smart Cities market segments cover the Solution and Service, Component, Level, and End-user. By Solution and Service, the Smart Building segment is Anticipated to Dominate the Market Over the Forecast Period.

• The smart buildings segment will be the dominant force behind the growth of the Saudi Arabia smart cities market during the forecast period. This dominant position is due to the country's increasing development focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
• Technologies used in smart buildings include building automation systems (BAS), lighting control systems, HVAC control systems, water supply systems, and energy monitoring and control systems. These technologies work side by side to optimize energy consumption in buildings, which allows energy savings of up to 30 percent.
• For example, building automation systems enable precise control of temperature and lighting based on usage schedules, creating a more comfortable environment while reducing energy consumption. By integrating such smart technologies, Saudi Arabia aims to improve the livability of its urban areas and promote environmental protection.

Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market Country Analysis

• Riyadh stands out as the dominant state in Saudi Arabia when it comes to developing smart cities. The city is home to the prestigious King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), known for its cutting-edge technology and forward-looking urban design. KAFD uses various smart technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability in all its operations.
• The implementation of a smart grid in KAFD allows for monitoring and managing energy consumption, optimizing resource use, and promoting energy efficiency. In addition, the city uses an intelligent traffic system that monitors traffic patterns with the help of sensors, which enables route optimization and smoother traffic flow.
• Besides KAFD, Riyadh has also launched other major smart city projects. The Smart Riyadh program is a comprehensive project that aims to make the city more efficient and sustainable by using smart technologies to improve the city's operations. Riyadh Metro, a fully automated metro system, uses smart technologies to improve passenger experience through seamless transportation services.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market

• The pandemic has caused disruptions in construction and infrastructure development due to closures, restrictions, and supply chain disruptions. This slowdown may have affected the progress of ongoing smart city projects in Saudi Arabia.
• Governments around the world, including Saudi Arabia, have had to direct resources and funds to address the immediate public health crisis caused by COVID-19. This may have affected the budgets allocated for the development of smart cities, causing project delays or changes in priorities.
• The pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital technology in managing crises. As a result, more investment could be made in the digital transformation of smart cities, such as the introduction of smart health monitoring systems and contactless solutions.
• The need for social distancing and remote work during the pandemic may have accelerated the adoption of smart city solutions that enable remote services such as telemedicine, online learning, and virtual meetings.

Top Key Players Covered in Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market

• Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia)
• NEOM (Saudi Arabia)
• Saudi Telecom Company (STC) (Saudi Arabia)
• Mobily (Etihad Etisalat) (Saudi Arabia)
• Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) (Saudi Arabia)
• Siemens (Germany)
• IBM (US)
• Cisco Systems (US)
• Honeywell (US)
• Schneider Electric (France)
• Huawei (China)
• Microsoft (US)
• Accenture (Ireland)
• Oracle (US)
• SAP (Germany)
• Ericsson (Sweden)
• Alstom (France)
• General Electric (GE) (US)
• ABB (Switzerland)
• ZTE Corporation (China), and Other Major Players

Key Industry Developments in the Saudi Arabia Smart Cities Market

In Oct 2022, Riyadh – Saudi Telecom Company (STC) announced the launch of Center3 with an investment value of $1 billion to promote digital economy growth in Saudi Arabia. The new company will own the digital infrastructure assets owned by the STC group, including data centers, submarine cables, and internet exchange points (IXPs), according to a recent press release.

In Dec 2022, The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco”) and TotalEnergies made the final investment decision for the construction of a world-scale petrochemical facility in Saudi Arabia. The “Amiral” complex will be owned, operated, and integrated with the existing SATORP refinery located in Jubail on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast. The investment decision is subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.