Hail and its strategic advisor Mindsets celebrate first-ever spot in IMD Smart City Index
Hail, a city in northern Saudi Arabia, has made its debut in the prestigious IMD Smart City Index. The milestone marks a major achievement for local policymakers, reflecting years of strategic planning and investment. Behind the scenes, it also sparked celebrations at the headquarters of Mindsets, the city’s strategic advisory partner.
Compiled annually by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, the IMD Smart City Index evaluates the sustained improvement in residents’ quality of life and civic engagement that cities achieve through the deployment of technology and digital services. The ranking combines economic and infrastructure data with surveys of citizens, assessing areas such as mobility, governance, health, safety, and opportunities.
Traditionally dominated by large cities such as London, Singapore and Beijing, it was Hail that this year stole the spotlight as the biggest riser among the 148 cities assessed. Making its first-ever appearance, the mid-sized Saudi city secured the 33rd position, just behind Berlin and Vienna, and ranked second from a Saudi perspective only behind capital city Riyadh, which rose three places to 24th.
The recognition has generated widespread enthusiasm at the Municipality of Hail, which has diligently pursued its smart city ambitions. Over the years, Hail has advanced digital municipal services, strengthened healthcare and public safety systems, expanded economic opportunities, and invested in environmental sustainability, among others.
Hail’s performance in the global benchmark demonstrates that mid-sized cities can compete with what larger cities have to offer to their citizens. In its report, IMD’s research confirms that successful smart city development and urban transformation is not exclusive to mega-cities – strategic planning, targeted investment, and citizen-centered policies can deliver measurable results for cities of all sizes.
Strategic advisor: Mindsets
The achievement, meanwhile, also sparked celebration at Mindsets. The city’s strategic advisor, Mindsets supported the municipality in developing a comprehensive smart city framework that unified diverse modernization initiatives into a single strategic approach, enabling clearer prioritization, stronger institutional coordination, and disciplined delivery.
Mindsets also helped ensure that citizen experiences were at the core of planning and investments. Smart city developments were measured against citizen-centered performance indicators, ensuring progress was accountable, transparent, and aligned with public expectations.
For Rayan Khraibani, CEO of Mindsets, seeing the collaboration translate into recognition on the global stage is deeply rewarding. “Hail’s achievement represents exactly the impact we aim to enable: a city where strategic clarity meets disciplined execution and technology leadership, and where every initiative is measured against the standard that matters most: whether residents’ lives are genuinely improving.”
“The credit belongs to the Municipality’s leadership and the people of Hail,” he continued.
Khraibani noted that Hail’s story offers an inspiring blueprint for other mid-sized cities aiming to become smart city leaders. “Ranking 33rd globally is not just a number; it proves that mid-sized cities with the right vision and framework can compete on the world stage.”
Originally founded in Lebanon, Mindsets has grown into a leading advisory and investment firm with offices across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Its Urban Transformation Advisory practice has a track record of helping cities thrive and build resilience in an evolving landscape and is seeing strong demand as municipalities embark on transformation while seeking measurable and citizen-centered outcomes.
More about Hail
Located in north-central Saudi Arabia, Hail is nestled among the Aja and Salma mountains and the Nafud Desert, blending natural landscapes with rich cultural heritage. The city is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art site, which spans nearly 10,000 years.
Historically, Hail has been a center of agriculture and trade and continues to preserve its heritage through museums and historic sites like Qishlah and A’arif Fort. Known for its warm hospitality, Hail is an inviting destination for travelers seeking authentic Saudi culture beyond major urban centers. Highlights include the Hail Heritage and Camel Festival, where visitors can enjoy traditional music, dance, and camel races.
