KAFD becomes first SmartScore neighborhood in MENA

user icon
NOHA.GAD
calender icon
Jul 23, 2024
article image

Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) obtained the SmartScore Neighborhood Certification by WiredScore for its first-class digital infrastructure that offers robust connectivity, sustainability, and a seamless live and work experience.

With this recognition, KAFD became the first neighborhood in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve WiredScore’s SmartScore Neighborhood certification, according to a recent press release by KAFD.

KAFD received the certification after a rigorous evaluation and certification process initiated in September 2023 when WiredScore announced that the financial district had secured SmartScore Neighborhood Pre-certification status.

Gautam Sashittal, CEO of King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC), stated that receiving the SmartScore Certification is a testament to KAFD’s strategic efforts and investment in secure, reliable, and advanced infrastructure.

“We are privileged to become the first neighborhood to achieve WiredScore’s SmartScore Neighborhood Certification, which reaffirms KAFD's leadership for modern-day and future smart developments in the MENA region and etches its presence on the global smart city landscape,” Sashittal elaborated.

Meanwhile, John Hilliard, Head of Middle East at WiredScore, said: “By becoming the first SmartScore Neighborhood in MENA, KAFD continues to demonstrate why it is the cornerstone of Vision 2030.”

Spanning 1.6 square kilometers, KAFD is the Kingdom’s first vertical city that includes 95 buildings notable for their avant-garde urban design and smart infrastructure, across five asset classes, featuring Grade A office spaces, upscale residences, diverse commercial and retail areas, luxury hospitality, and vibrant entertainment venues, all interconnected and walkable within 10-minutes.

WiredScore is the global authority on smart building technologies, providing certification and education to enhance the digital connectivity of buildings and neighborhoods.


Share

Related News

Saudi Industry ecosystem participates in Hannover Messe 2026
News
Calendar Icon
April 16, 2026
Saudi Industry ecosystem participates in Hannover Messe 2026
Read More
NEOM Port launches multimodal corridor linking Europe to GCC
News
Calendar Icon
April 16, 2026
NEOM Port launches multimodal corridor linking Europe to GCC
Read More
PIF Board of Directors approves 2026-2030 strategy
News
Calendar Icon
April 16, 2026
PIF Board of Directors approves 2026-2030 strategy
Read More
Report: Cyber risks outpace AI concerns for Middle East leaders
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Report: Cyber risks outpace AI concerns for Middle East leaders
Read More
Eli Lilly acquires CE-Ventures portfolio company CrossBridge Bio
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Eli Lilly acquires CE-Ventures portfolio company CrossBridge Bio
Read More
Adyen partners with Careem Pay to enhance digital remittances in UAE
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Adyen partners with Careem Pay to enhance digital remittances in UAE
Read More
Saudi Arabia climbs to no.1 in Global Digital Readiness Ranking
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Saudi Arabia climbs to no.1 in Global Digital Readiness Ranking
Read More
Safari Group, PMaestro plan $35mn Fund to expand Chuck E. Cheese network
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Safari Group, PMaestro plan $35mn Fund to expand Chuck E. Cheese network
Read More
Riyadh to host 3 Saudi accelerators backing agricultural, sustainability startups
News
Calendar Icon
April 15, 2026
Riyadh to host 3 Saudi accelerators backing agricultural, sustainability startups
Read More
Falak Holing acquires Kernel for AI to expand technical capabilities
News
Calendar Icon
April 14, 2026
Falak Holing acquires Kernel for AI to expand technical capabilities
Read More