Mindsets, a leading investment and advisory firm, has announced that its client, the city of Hail in Saudi Arabia, has achieved a significant global milestone by securing the 33rd position among 148 cities worldwide in the IMD Smart City Index 2026. This marks Hail’s first-ever entry into one of the world’s most recognized benchmarks for urban development and positions the city alongside leading global cities as a model for citizen-focused smart city transformation.
Acting as the strategic advisor to the Municipality of Hail, Mindsets developed an integrated smart city framework aligned with the core evaluation pillars of the IMD Smart City Index, including health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. This comprehensive framework brought together the city’s various development initiatives under a unified strategic structure, enabling more effective prioritization, stronger coordination across entities, and measurable outcomes directly linked to residents’ everyday experiences.
The achievement is particularly significant given the profile of Hail, a mid-sized city with a population of approximately 500,000 residents located in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. Historically known as a center of Arab generosity, the city is also home to the UNESCO-listed Rock Art site, which dates back nearly 10,000 years. Hail’s inclusion among the world’s top smart cities highlights that innovation-driven urban transformation is no longer limited to major metropolitan hubs, but is increasingly accessible to cities of all sizes.
This development carries broader implications for sustainable urban growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and emerging markets, demonstrating how strategic planning and innovation can enable cities to compete on a global level.
Through the Mindsets framework, Hail has placed residents at the core of its transformation journey. The city has advanced its digital municipal services, strengthened healthcare and public safety systems, expanded economic opportunities, and invested in environmental sustainability initiatives. These efforts have been translated into an integrated operational model supported by clear performance indicators, ensuring that progress is measurable, transparent, and aligned with international standards.
The recognition further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the global smart city landscape and aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the Quality of Life Program, which aims to develop vibrant, livable, and sustainable cities across all regions of the Kingdom.
Dr. Rayan Khraibani, CEO of Mindsets, commented: “Hail’s achievement represents exactly the kind of impact we strive to deliver—where strategic vision is matched with disciplined execution, and every initiative is measured by its real impact on improving people’s lives. Ranking 33rd globally is not just a number; it is a clear indication that mid-sized cities can compete on a global scale when equipped with the right vision and framework. This success is a testament to the leadership of the Municipality and the people of Hail.”
With this milestone, Hail joins a growing list of Saudi cities featured in the IMD Smart City Index, including Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah, Al-Khobar, and AlUla, highlighting the Kingdom’s expanding footprint on the global smart city stage.
Mindsets continues to expand its advisory services in urban transformation across the GCC, applying its integrated methodology to help cities achieve measurable, citizen-centric outcomes and compete effectively at the international level.
