The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is emerging as a hub for smart city development, propelled by rapid urbanization, government support, and the increasing demand for sustainable urban infrastructure. Startups in the region are addressing pressing issues such as disaster preparedness, traffic and transportation safety, energy efficiency and resource management, and community security through innovative technologies, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest Startup Series Report, “Smart Cities: Startups Transforming Urban Living in MEA,” highlights the pivotal role startups play in reshaping urban environments.
Tejal Hartalkar, Senior Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The rising number of smart city projects in MEA is fueled by strong government backing and the need for innovative urban solutions, especially in areas like energy efficiency, water conservation, and secure infrastructure. Startups in the region are deploying AI and IoT to tackle urban challenges through advanced solutions such as intelligent traffic systems, smart water management, and community crime reporting. These innovations optimize resource usage, enhance urban safety, and promote sustainable practices, supporting MEA cities in their transition to resilient, future-ready smart environments.”
Some of the key startups offering solutions in smart city development include:
Smart Infrastructure
Sadeem Technology, a Saudi Arabia-based startup, offers real-time flood and stormwater monitoring solutions. Its AI-powered platform integrates data from sensors to help cities manage infrastructure more efficiently and enhance disaster preparedness.
The UAE-based startup, Cognitive Technologies provides IoT-based automation solutions for community development, specializing in AI-driven cybersecurity, fraud detection, and compliance.
Smart Transportation
NoTraffic, an Israeli startup, provides AI-powered traffic management systems that optimize traffic flow in real-time. Its platform integrates with the existing traffic signals and uses AI to prioritize emergency vehicles and manage congestion, contributing to smoother city transportation systems.
Hazen.ai, a Saudi Arabia-based startup, offers AI and computer vision solutions for traffic enforcement and management, focusing on the real-time detection of dangerous driving behaviors to reduce accidents.
Smart Buildings
The UAE-based startup, Sensgreen offers an IoT-enabled platform for smart building management, optimizing indoor environments to reduce energy consumption and improve air quality.
AION Innovations, an Egyptian startup, offers IoT systems and sensor technologies to automate and control home appliances based on schedules, weather conditions, and location.
Smart Grid
Brightmerge, an Israeli startup, provides an AI-based platform to optimize renewable energy microgrids. Its solutions offer real-time data analytics, facilitating efficient energy management and the integration of renewable sources.
Hydrologistics Africa, a South African startup, offers smart water management solutions for real-time monitoring of water flow, quality, and distribution through IoT devices.
Hartalkar concludes: “Startups are leveraging technologies such as AI and IoT to transform the outdated infrastructure. By integrating digital solutions, they enable cities to operate more efficiently, ensuring real-time data insights for better urban management. Despite facing obstacles like cybersecurity threats, funding limitations, and challenges in scaling AI and IoT infrastructure, startups are finding ways to drive meaningful progress. From enhancing urban infrastructure to building smart grids and improving transportation systems, these innovations aim to provide scalable, and adaptable solutions to the growing urbanization needs in the region.”
