Driverless vehicles helped Abu Dhabi to cement its status as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa region. Leslie Pableo / The National
Driverless vehicles helped Abu Dhabi to cement its status as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa region. Leslie Pableo / The National
Driverless vehicles helped Abu Dhabi to cement its status as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa region. Leslie Pableo / The National
Driverless vehicles helped Abu Dhabi to cement its status as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa region. Leslie Pableo / The National

Abu Dhabi still Mena's smartest city as digital transformation continues


Alvin R Cabral
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi has retained its title as the smartest city in the Middle East and North Africa thanks to its digital-first initiatives, a study has revealed.

The UAE capital came in 13th globally, according to Switzerland's International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) Smart City Index for 2023.

Abu Dhabi is Mena's smartest city for three studies from 2020. IMD did not release an index in 2022.

Dubai, ranked first in Mena when the index appeared in 2019, was ranked 17th for 2023, down from 14th.

That made the UAE one of only four countries to have more than one city in the top 20, joining Switzerland, Australia and Germany, according to the study conducted in collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design.

Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh came in 30th, up from 39th. Saudi cities Makkah, Jeddah and Qatar's capital Doha were ranked 52nd, 56th and 59th, respectively, and were all new to the index this year.

The Swiss city of Zurich retained the top ranking — a position it has held since 2019 except for 2022. Oslo in Norway came in second, also maintaining its position since the index began.

Australia's capital, Canberra, made its index debut at third place. Rounding out the top 10 are Copenhagen, Lausanne, London, Singapore, Helsinki, Geneva and Stockholm in a top tier largely dominated by European cities.

Abu Dhabi's emergence as the regional leader comes following initiatives focused on technologies that include artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and the development of smart city initiatives across society, services and the economy, Mohammed Al Shorafa, chairman of the emirate's Department of Municipalities and Transport, said in a statement.

“Abu Dhabi's leadership in this field is a translation of the leadership's vision and commitment to supporting digital transformation journey and utilising it to serve the community and enhance its well-being and quality of life,” he said.

A smart city uses the latest information and communications technologies to seamlessly connect people and devices, improve operational efficiency and boost economic activity.

Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai are “well positioned” to be at the forefront of becoming full-fledged smart cities, with several initiatives being tabled to help the transition to a digital economy, Thierry Lestable, executive director of the AI and Digital Science Research Centre at Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute, had previously told The National.

Abu Dhabi's leadership in this field is a translation of the leadership's vision and commitment to supporting the digital transformation journey
Mohammed Al Shorafa,
chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Municipalities and Transport

Both emirates, and the UAE in general, are promoting the use of smart technologies to accelerate their agenda of becoming knowledge-based economies.

“We are working diligently to harness technology and use it to enhance the quality of life for citizens and residents,” Mr Al Shorafa said.

The IMD's Smart City Index assesses economic and technological aspects of smart cities, as well as factors like quality of life, environment and inclusiveness.

It gathers a mixture of hard data and survey responses to gauge the smartness of cities, with an emphasis on how inhabitants see the city.

IMD said the methodology was improved for 2023.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

About Tenderd

Started: May 2018

Founder: Arjun Mohan

Based: Dubai

Size: 23 employees 

Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

Updated: May 01, 2023, 12:57 PM