Riyadh - Mubasher: King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company announced signing a memorandum of understanding with Huawei to cooperate in implementing smart city solutions, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of LEAP 2025 to enhance the smart infrastructure at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), upgrade operational processes, and improve the digital experience for residents, tenants, and visitors.

KAFD explained in a statement today, Sunday, that the partnership covers several areas, most notably: WiFi-7 networks, advanced fifth generation networks (5 GA ), artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and smart pole solutions. This cooperation aims to raise the efficiency of infrastructure management, improve operational processes, and enhance user experience, through advanced data analysis and smart systems distributed over an area of 1.6 million square meters.

KAFD pointed out that the agreement includes, in addition to developing the infrastructure, initiatives to develop talents in the technology sector, by providing specialized training programs and global certificates accredited by Huawei, such as HCNA , HCNP , and HCIE .

The two parties will also cooperate in conducting digital research and analysis to explore emerging technological opportunities, enhance the Kingdom’s role in digital transformation, and highlight Huawei’s position in the region.

In this context, Ramez Al-Fayez, Chief Information Officer at King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company, said that the smart cities market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 15.8% between 2025 and 2034, reaching about 2.74 trillion US dollars by 2034.

“As part of this global growth, today, five Saudi cities have entered the list of the top 100 cities in the IMD Smart Cities Index 2024, with Riyadh ranking third regionally and 25th globally. At KAFD, we are committed to setting new standards for innovation in smart cities, making us a leading model in developing the future urban landscape in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through our partnership with Huawei, we seek to move forward towards creating an integrated urban environment that supports digital transformation and provides an innovative model for urban development in the Kingdom,” Al-Fayez added.

“As a leading technology company with extensive experience in AI and smart city applications, Huawei Saudi Arabia is committed to providing advanced solutions and focusing on developing innovative applications in WiFi-7 , smart lighting, environmental monitoring, and sustainable energy solutions through our collaboration with KAFD,” said Trevor Liu Yan, CEO of Huawei Saudi Arabia. “This partnership represents an important step towards achieving the technological progress targets of Saudi Vision 2030.”

Located in the heart of the capital, Riyadh, KAFD is the premier business and lifestyle destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a key driver of Riyadh’s economic ambitions.

KAFD is a leading smart and eco-friendly destination as it is the first centre in the MENA region to receive the Wired Score Urban Neighbourhood Certification, in recognition of its distinguished digital infrastructure, which provides a seamless experience for living, working and entertainment.

Huawei is participating in LEAP from February 9 to 12, 2025 in Riyadh, showcasing its vision to reshape sectors through advanced digital solutions including smart cities, healthcare, education, and industrial sectors, with a focus on building sustainable infrastructure that enhances operational excellence and contributes to economic development.