Middle East/Africa: IoT Public Policy Index
- June 25, 2025
- William Payne
The Government of Egypt is preparing to launch its national smart cities strategy that will combine the joint efforts of three separate government ministries. The Prime Minister of Lebanon has described establishing smart government in the country as a “necessity”. The city of Ramat Gan has set its sights on becoming the capital of AI within the country, a global leader in the development of Artificial Intelligence. Saudi Arabia’s Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) together with the country’s Ministry of the Interior have enhanced the country’s camera surveillance Hajj system designed to protect pilgrims to the Mecca and Medina Holy Sites. The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei to launch a “smart village” pilot project.
Egypt to launch national smart cities strategy
The Government of Egypt is preparing to launch its national smart cities strategy that will combine the joint efforts of three separate government ministries. The new strategy brings together the ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Local Development. It also brings in international development partners the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the World Bank Group. The government sees this as representing a major step forward in its smart city strategy.
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Lebanon to institute smart government
The Prime Minister of Lebanon has described establishing smart government in the country as a “necessity”. Nawaf Salam told a conference in Beirut: “For Lebanon, digital transformation is not a luxury, but a necessity”. Both Salam and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told attendees that digital transformation would help drive corruption out of the country’s administration.
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Ramat Gan aims to be Israel’s AI capital
The city of Ramat Gan has set its sights on becoming the capital of AI within the country, a global leader in the development of Artificial Intelligence. From this summer, the city government is establishing summer camps dedicated to AI and supporting technologies that will be held in schools and colleges throughout the whole city. The city is funding the summer camps with 1 million shekels.
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Saudi Arabia long-range AI-based cameras
Saudi Arabia’s Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) together with the country’s Ministry of the Interior have enhanced the country’s camera surveillance Hajj system designed to protect pilgrims to the Mecca and Medina Holy Sites. The new cameras can track individuals and vehicles across large areas over several kilometres.
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DRC signs MoU with Huawei to digitise rural areas
The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei to launch a “smart village” pilot project. The project aims to pilot how to bring smart city technologies to villages in rural areas of Africa, and will include digital health and digital education technologies.
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Abu Dhabi sustainability, smart cities deals with Japan
The Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council, held recently in Tokyo, has resulted in a range of agreements that will see firms from Abu Dhabi and Japan collaborate on the development of sustainability and digital integration for smart cities. The move is part of Abu Dhabi’s focus on developing non-oil industries.
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Uttar Pradesh MoU with Australia on Smart Energy
The Government of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Smart Energy Council of Australia and the Hinduja Group to reskill and expand the state’s energy workforce to support the state’s goal of achieving 22 GwH in solar power.
Saudi Arabia launches Smart Mobility Sandbox
Saudi Arabia’s transport ministry has launched a “Future Mobility Sandbox” to advance smart transport solutions in the kingdom. The project is the result of a collaboration between the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. It will cover 1.56 square kilometres within the KAUST campus and serve as a platform for testing the latest innovations in land, air and sea transport.
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Addis Ababa aims for Smart City
Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa is aiming to achieve smart city status, according to statements by its mayor, Adanech Abiebie. The city is making technological preparations to transition. It aims to become a regional hub for technology and innovation.
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Riyadh launches first WiFi-7 in MENA Region
Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District Development (KAFD) and Huawei have launched the first Smart WiFi-7 service in Saudi Arabia. It is the first WiFi-7 service in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). KAFD is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading smart city projects.
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Bahrain and UAE review smart city initiatives
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have held talks aimed at collaborating on their smart city projects to promote growth and accelerate initiatives. The talks have including greening cities, and knowledge sharing.
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Incheon Mumbai talks, IIT Roorkee city lab
Korea’s Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) has held talks about joint developments of its smart city infrastructure model with Indian cities and has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee. The cities include the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority, a planned smart city in north India. IFEZ and the Indian Institute of Technology will construct a new smart city lab at Songdo.
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Amman to enhance urban resilience
Amman, capital of the Kingdom of Jordan, is holding a series of workshops to plan greater urban resilience and advance its status as a smart city. The workshops, part of a voluntary review process, are being held together with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
For more information: أمانة عمان تنظم ورشة تحضيرية لمناقشة الاستعراض الطوعي الثاني للمدينة
South Africa collaborates with UAE on smart infrastructure
South Africa is collaborating with UAE on the development of smart cities, sustainable infrastructure, and transportation. The collaboration is being led by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE and the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure of South Africa.
For more information: UAE and South Africa Strengthen Cooperation in Sustainable Infrastructure and Transport – SolarQuarter
NEOM to advance Industry 4.0 with AI gigafactory
Saudi smart megacity initiative NEOM is to build an AI gigafactory. The AI data centre will cost $5 billion and be hosted in Oxagon, an Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing hub within NEOM. The AI data centre will support development of advanced manufacturing and engineering capabilities within the NEOM complex.
For more information: Saudi Arabia’s Neom Signs $5 Billion Deal for AI Data Center – Bloomberg
Abu Dhabi partners NU Singapore on Smart Cities
UAE capital city Abu Dhabi is partnering the National University of Singapore to advance the city’s digital transition. The collaboration will focus on climate-resilient design, liveability research, mobility solutions, and data-driven governance. Singapore’s NUS has particular expertise in the areas of sustainable infrastructure, advanced data analytics, and green technology integration.
For more information: Department of Municipalities and Transport partners with NUS Cities to advance Abu Dhabi’s smart city transformation
UN hosts African Smart Cities forum
250 city and government officials from across Africa are attending a UN-hosted forum on Smart Cities in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The UrbanShift Africa Forum will see the release of a Roadmap on Sustainable Finance Action and Advocacy for Global South cities. The forum is being organised by C40 Cities.
For more information: African city leaders unite in Nairobi to drive green and resilient urban future – C40 Cities
Morocco launches Industry 4.0 initiative
Morocco has launched its first Industry 4.0 initiative. The Fez Smart Factory Initiative is a public-private partnership that aims to transform the industrial landscape of the Fez-Meknes region. One objective is that the Fez-Meknes region becomes the national Industry 4.0 beacon, initiating the digital transformation of manufacturing throughout the country. The initiative is supported by the Moroccan Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Digital Development Agency and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
For more information: Fez Smart Factory : le premier jalon de l’industrie 4.0 est posé – LesEco.ma
Cameroon launches 4 smart campuses
The Government of Cameroon in West Africa has launched a project to construct four smart campuses in the country’s capital of Yaoundé. With a budget of $8 million, the project aims to promote e-government and train public officials in the use of IT. The campuses will be established at four sites: the National School of Administration and Magistracy (ENAM); the National School of Posts, Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (SUP’PTIC); the Higher Institute of Public Management (ISMP); and the Ministry of Civil Service. The project is the result of a partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency. It forms part of the Cameroonian Government’s digital transformation strategy aimed at modernising the public administration.
For more information: E-gouvernement : le Cameroun lance un projet de construction de 4 smart campus – We are Tech
Mohammed bin Salman City MoU with Samsung
Saudi Arabian smart city Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City “MiSK City” and Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further cooperation in smart city technologies. Samsung is already engaged in development of smart city technologies and platforms in the Saudi Arabian city.
Cameroon plans Smart Meter rollout
The Government of Cameroon is planning the rollout of 15,000 smart meters and 17,000 metering points in public and government buildings in the central African state. The project, announced by the country’s minister of Water and Energy, also involves the country’s main electricity distributor Eneo.
For more information: Électricité : 15 000 compteurs intelligents pour un Cameroun plus économe – AITN
Egypt National Smart City strategy
The Egyptian Government has launched a new National Smart City strategy, and announced that it is about to agree to the establishment of fourteen new smart cities. Currently, work is underway on building 24 new smart cities in the country. The Government is looking to establish new partnerships to support building the next wave of planned smart cities.
For more information: Egypt is working on designs of 14 new smart cities
Senegal adopts smart mobility for Dakar
The Government of Senegal has decided to deploy an intelligent transportation system in the country’s capital, Dakar, one of Africa’s largest cities. The Government has also contracted with Chinese firm Huawei to deliver the new ITS technology. The new system will include an urban control centre and road surveillance, to be provided by the Chinese firm.
For more information: Le Sénégal s’oriente vers un transport intelligent pour une mobilité sécurisée – We are Tech
Riyadh to adopt IoT infrastructure
The financial district of Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh has signed an agreement with IoT Squared to enhance its smart city infrastructure with advanced IoT. The King Abdullah Finance District (KAFD) is looking to implement renewable energy, smart grids, and incident management. The district, which forms a formal smart city within the capital, is also looking to integrate IoT enhanced public security devices.
For more information: KAFD to integrate IoT into its infrastructure | Al Eqtisadiah
Egypt holds talks with China on Smart Cities
Egypt’s Minister of Housing and Urban Communities, Sherif El-Sherbiny, has held talks with China’s Minister of Housing Ni Hong at the 12th World Urban Forum to discuss closer cooperation between Egypt and China on smart city development.
For more information: China and Egypt announce Smart City collaboration – Youm7
Sharjah adopts AI-based City zoning
The City of Sharjah, third most populous city in the UAE, has adopted spatial AI to accelerate smart city development based on zoning. The new system aims to improve the quality of life in Sharjah by analysing geographic data and providing innovative urban plans. Sharjah, with a population of 1.8 million, is a centre of industry and education, with a leading Arabian university, and is responsible for 7.4% of UAE GDP.
For further information: Sharjah launches AI-powered zoning system to improve smart cities | AI Portal
Rwanda begins construction of Kigali Smart City
Rwanda has begun a $2 billion round of construction of its planned Kigali Smart City. The new city is aimed to become a centre for AI, science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Africa. Major universities are planned within the new city, with many already participating in the Smart City ecosystem. The city’s first tenant was Carnegie Mellon University, with others following. Once completed, the 61-hectare smart city project will be worth over $2 billion and create over 50,000 jobs, while over 2,600 students are expected to graduate each year from universities in the new city.
For more information: Rwanda: Kigali Innovation City, un projet pour stimuler la transformation numérique de l’Afrique | Le360 Afrique
Togo seeks help for national AI strategy
Togo is seeking to develop a national strategy for AI to support its aim of digital transformation and boosting its digital economy. The country’s government has launched a call for experts, business leaders, consultants and researchers in AI to participate in the project.
For more information: Le Togo recherche des experts pour plancher sur une stratégie nationale en Intelligence Artificielle – Togo First
Senegal adds AI to Emerging Senegal Plan
Senegal has boosted its Emerging Senegal Plan that seeks the digital transformation of the country’s economy with plans to construct an AI data centre in the West African nation. The country’s Minister of Digital Affairs has held talks with Meta Vice President Nick Clegg, and has allocated 7 billion CFA francs over the next two years to construction. The government seeks to make AI a lever for economic growth.
For further information: Sénégal : Le pays de la Teranga mise sur l’intelligence artificielle pour accélérer son développement économique
First Africa-US Smart Cities Lab
Wits University, South Africa, has hosted the first Africa-US Smart Cities Lab. The African Centre for the Study of the United States hosted the lab in partnership with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the Wits Innovation Centre, Waterfall City Management Company, Steyn City, Itana and the South African Cities Network.
More information: The African Centre for the Study of the United States Hosts the Inaugural Africa-US Smart Cities Lab – allAfrica.com
Congo approaches Indian companies for Smart City development
The Republic of Congo has approached a number of Indian companies to help it develop smart cities. The approaches were made at the India-Africa Conclave, with Ashoka being one company approached by the Congolese delegation. The Conclave is an annual event organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
More information: Conclave Inde-Afrique: Le Congo tourné vers la fintech et les villes intelligentes – Digital Business Africa
Addis Ababa plans Smart, Compact City
Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa has announced a new long-term urban development plan that includes increasing resources available to the city and preparing for smart city and compact city model development. The latter is a sustainable urban planning model that promotes high residential density combined with mixed land uses. Addis Ababa is being supported by Washington DC based non-profit World Resources Institute, which is providing technical support for the initiative.
More information: Addis Ababa City Launches New City Development Strategy –
Jordan launches Aqaba City Master Plan
Jordanian Special Economic Zone Aqaba has launched a master plan and road map for development of the port city. Aqaba has been working closely with the Japan International Cooperation Agency since 2022 on urban redevelopment of the city, including smart city applications. Aqaba is a major economic hub in Jordan with close links also to neighbouring Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It is Jordan’s only port city as well as a major industrial hub and tourist centre. The master plan aim to transform Aqaba into a regional centre for logistics, business, innovation and tourism linked closely also with the economies of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
More information: Launching the Master Plan for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone – Al-Sabil
$15bn Smart City proposal in Uzbekistan
The Tashkent region in Uzbekistan is planning the construction of a $10-15 billion smart city. Spanning 1,600 hectares, the proposed smart city aims to integrate advanced infrastructure and technology. Key features of the project include government buildings, medical and educational facilities, and industrial zones, designed to create a self-sustaining environment conducive to economic growth.
More information: Toshkent viloyati hokimligi
Ahmedabad seeks city data observatory
The City of Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat has set a three-month deadline for the submission of a blueprint for a centralised data observatory for smart city initiatives. The observatory must have a strong data governance framework to enhance data-driven decision-making processes in the city.
More information here: Smart City Meeting: Smart City Meeting Held | Ahmedabad News – Times of India
Saudi Arabia seeks Chinese funding for Neom
Media outlets report that Saudi Arabia is seeking Chinese funding to salvage its ambitious Neom project. French tech magazine JVTech reported that Saudi presentations to gain investment to save the $500 billion desert smart city gained at best mixed responses in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
News report:
Iraq restarts Bismayah New City, $17 billion for road & rail construction
The Iraqi Government has announced that it is restarting the USD 10 billion construction of Bismayah New City after a two-year hiatus . Korean engineering and construction firm Hanwha is the primary contractor for the Bismayah New City project. The Iraqi Government has also announced plans to build a further 15 new cities across the country, and a USD 17 billion programme of new road and rail construction.
올해 첫 해외건설 수주지원단, 이라크 비스마야 신도시 재개 및 후속 15개 신도시 개발 수주 지원 : 스마트시티 종합포털 – SMART CITY KOREA
Kenya: Smart City Konza gets triple boost
The Kenyan Government is hoping that new funding will galvanise its flagship smart city project, Konza Technopolis. A partnership with the Government of Korea through the two countries’ Economic Innovation Partnership Programme has led to funding for Konza, a key part of Kenya’s national development plan, Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia expands size, scope of NEOM Smart City
The Saudi Government has expanded the scope and size of the NEOM Smart City programme, the $500 billion smart city under construction in the country’s north west as part of the country’s Saudi Vision 2030 national strategy. The project has been expanded with the addition of Leyja, a site on the Gulf of Aqaba coast at the northern tip of the Red Sea. The site will provide an ecotourism destination with the landscape designated as a nature reserve. The NEOM smart city currently covers 33 times the land mass of New York City.
The official announcement is here.
Oman unveils first of eight smart cities
The Sultanate of Oman has unveiled the first of eight planned smart cities the country is planning as it begins a strategic shift from an oil-based economy. The Sultan Haitham City will be the first of the planned smart cities, to be built in the wilayat of Seeb, several miles northwest of Omani capital Muscat.
The official Omani Government announcement is here.
Egypt expands smart city target to 38
The Government of Egypt has expanded the number of smart cities it plans to build by 2050 to 38. The announcement was made by Egyptian prime minister Mostafa Madbouly at a conference inaugurating the new Egyptian Administrative Capital, the first of the smart cities to be opened. The new cities will include New Mansoura City in the Nile Delta region, Al Galala City in northeast Egypt and New Aswan City in southern Egypt.
A news piece on the announcement is here
Morocco sets out smart green city strategy
Morocco has announced a new urban development policy that includes adoption of smart technologies, especially aimed at supporting more sustainable cities. The strategy announced by Housing and City Minister Fatima Zahraa Al-Mansouri includes policies to develop eco-neighbourhoods, eco-cities, urban agriculture, city densification and urban renewal.
The official Government report on the policy launch can be found here.
