Noha Gad 

The construction sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious government initiatives and a strategic vision to diversify the economy beyond oil dependence. This promising industry is projected to see a robust growth as of 2025, with an expected expansion rate of around 4.4% to 6.2%, according to a recent report by Global Data. This growth will be driven by massive investments in infrastructure, housing, commercial, and industrial projects.

Additionally, the construction sector in Saudi Arabia is anticipated to reach $174.3 billion by 2030, from $104.7 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%, as stated in a recent report by Research and Markets, one of the world’s largest research market stores. 

At the core of this surge are Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project, which aim to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for innovation, tourism, and entertainment. These projects, alongside urban development in major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, are reshaping the economic landscape and creating vast opportunities for construction companies and suppliers

Technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role in this promising sector. The adoption of advanced construction technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), modular construction, 3D printing, and smart infrastructure systems, is accelerating efficiency, reducing costs, and improving project management. 

Bisrat Degefa, Co-founder and CEO of TruBuild, a leading Saudi construction tech company, affirmed that the adoption of technology in the construction sector “has moved from experimental pilots to core strategy.” He highlighted that less than 10% of top developers in the region used digital procurement tools in 2019, while in 2025, over 60% are running live programs.

Another key player in the Saudi construction technology sector is WakeCap, a Riyadh-based company that integrates smart technology in the construction industry, focusing on enhancing safety, productivity, and efficiency. According to CEO Hassan Albalawi, mandating technology on major projects plays a pivotal role in promoting transparency, ensuring better compliance rates, and transforming safety protocols and practices in the construction industry and beyond. 

Construction technologies vs. traditional methods

Although traditional construction methods in Saudi Arabia emphasize cultural preservation and adaptation to local climates, advanced technologies are transforming the sector by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and scalability, ultimately accelerating the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification and urban development ambitions.

The integration of technology is essential in overcoming regulatory complexities and administrative challenges, streamlining project approvals, and enhancing risk management. For instance, traditional tender evaluations often take 4–6 weeks and involve multiple full-time reviewers; however, they provide inconsistent and subjective results. Meanwhile, leveraging a rules-based scoring system, enhanced by machine-learning insights, helps companies complete evaluations in 5-7 days with just two reviewers, saving up to 85% of costs, 70% of cycle times, and significantly fewer downstream variations.

This technological evolution not only supports the rapid pace of construction but also positions Saudi Arabia’s construction sector as a model for modernization and economic diversification in the region.

Key technologies that reshape the Saudi construction sector:

Advanced construction technologies are significantly improving both speed and sustainability in the Saudi construction sector in alignment with Vision 2030. Key technological advancements reshaping the industry include:

• 3D Printing: This technology accelerates construction timelines by enabling the rapid, cost-effective fabrication of complex building components from materials like concrete and polymers.
• Modular and prefabricated construction: Pre-assembled building sections are increasingly used in major giga-projects. This method enhances speed, quality, and cost control, crucial for meeting ambitious infrastructure deadlines.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM): BIM provides detailed digital 3D models that improve collaboration among architects, engineers, and contractors. Its growing use in projects contributes to reducing errors, streamlining workflows, and cutting costs.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: AI automates routine tasks, optimizes labor allocation, predicts project risks, and improves safety on construction sites, offering real-time insights that help avoid delays and cost overruns.
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Automation: IoT devices enable real-time monitoring of equipment, materials, and site conditions, enhancing resource management and safety. Meanwhile, automation reduces manual labor and repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on strategic aspects of projects.
• Green building technologies: Saudi Arabia is integrating solar panels, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and advanced insulation to reduce the environmental footprint of construction. These practices align with global standards and the Kingdom’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

To fully adopt innovative construction technologies in Saudi Arabia, several key regulatory changes are needed to create a flexible, supportive, and secure environment that fosters innovation while addressing emerging risks, including:

• Aligning regulations with technology development.
• Promoting flexibility and risk management.
• Enhancing collaboration among stakeholdersز
• Developing clear AI and data governance.
• Streamlining permitting and compliance processes.

The future of construction technology in Saudi Arabia

The future of construction technology in Saudi Arabia is set to be transformative, driven by ambitious national goals under Vision 2030 and massive investments exceeding $3 trillion aimed at economic diversification and urban modernization.

Degfa expected a widespread adoption of AI-assisted workflows, contracts linked to digital twins, live ESG and schedule tracking, blockchain-enabled supplier payments, and automated compliance checks for codes and Saudization. “With its combination of scale, urgency, and regulatory support, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a global leader in AI-powered construction,” he said.

Despite challenges related to regulatory complexity and administrative hurdles, the integration of advanced technologies is expected to redefine the Saudi construction sector by 2030, making it a global leader in innovative, sustainable, and efficient building practices. This technological revolution supports Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of economic diversification, job creation, and environmental stewardship, positioning construction as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s future development.

Noha Gad

The construction tech sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing a transformative phase, driven by Vision 2030’s ambitious infrastructure projects and a growing focus on innovation. From smart cities to large-scale renewable energy initiatives, cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Building Information Modeling (BIM), and modular construction are reshaping the industry.

TruBuild, a leading Saudi construction tech company, is at the forefront of this evolution, delivering innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and digital transformation across the Kingdom.

Known for its advanced project management tools, automation, and data-driven insights, TruBuild has become a trusted partner for major developers and government entities, supporting Saudi Arabia’s mission to modernize its infrastructure with smarter, faster, and more cost-effective methodologies. 

Sharikat Mubasher held an interview with TruBuild’s Co-founder and CEO, Bisrat Degefa, to delve deeper into the trends, challenges, and future of construction tech in the Kingdom and the broader region.

TruBuild uses AI to streamline procurement and project management. How does the platform uniquely address delays and cost overruns compared to traditional methods?

Traditional tender evaluations often take 4–6 weeks, involve multiple full-time reviewers, and still produce inconsistent, subjective results. TruBuild transforms this process by ingesting thousands of pages of technical, commercial, and contractual data in minutes. It applies a transparent, rules-based scoring system enhanced by machine-learning insights and generates a fully auditable trail for every action. The result: evaluations are completed in 5–7 days by just two reviewers, with up to 85% cost savings, 70% faster cycle times, and significantly fewer downstream variations—thanks to early risk identification.

How do you see construction tech adoption today in Saudi Arabia and the wider region?

Adoption has moved from experimental pilots to core strategy. In 2019, fewer than 10% of top developers in the region used digital procurement tools; by 2025, over 60% are running live programs. Cloud-based PMIS adoption has grown from 20% to more than half. Saudi Arabia leads the charge, supported by mandates around BIM, e-tendering, and local data residency. What was once seen as optional is now essential to meet the region’s ambitious delivery timelines and scale.

What key challenges does TruBuild face in modernizing construction tech in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, and how have you tackled them?
Change aversion is a major hurdle—many teams still believe Excel is “good enough.” So, we built TruBuild to feel familiar: spreadsheet-style, no-code, and easy to learn in a single-day onboarding session. Data sovereignty concerns are resolved with fully Saudi-hosted deployments, compliant with ISO 27001 and NCA-ECC standards. To address fragmented procurement practices, we offer out-of-the-box templates for NEC, FIDIC, and local regulations. And we tackle skill gaps through embedded guidance and CPD-certified training delivered in collaboration with regional industry bodies.

You recently secured a $1 million seed round. How will this capital accelerate TruBuild’s growth?
 The funding enables us to scale our engineering, domain, and commercial teams. We’re launching a commercial evaluation module in Q3 2025 with an Arabic NLP interface and expanding go-to-market partnerships with leading project management consultancies to accelerate adoption across the region.

What are the company’s expansion plans in Saudi Arabia and the broader region?
 In Saudi Arabia, we are deepening our engagements with PIF subsidiaries and giga-projects. Regionally, we plan to enter the UAE and Qatar in 2025 through local system integrators, followed by targeted expansion into the UK and US markets, where we see strong demand for AI-driven construction tools.

How does TruBuild align with Vision 2030’s goals to digitize construction and localize technology?
 Vision 2030 calls for 70% local content, improved productivity, and greater transparency. TruBuild is designed and led from Saudi Arabia, and our clients are already seeing over 50% savings in procurement resource hours. The Vision’s delivery pace simply cannot be supported by legacy workflows. TruBuild shifts procurement from reactive to proactive, enabling faster, more accurate, and fully auditable decisions. Every riyal is tracked and justified, ensuring critical projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest standards.

How do you expect construction tech to evolve in Saudi Arabia over the next five years?
We expect widespread adoption of AI-assisted workflows, contracts linked to digital twins, live ESG and schedule tracking, blockchain-enabled supplier payments, and automated compliance checks for codes and Saudization. With its combination of scale, urgency, and regulatory support, Saudi Arabia is on track to become a global leader in AI-powered construction, and TruBuild aims to be at the forefront of that evolution.