Mindsets Client Hail Achieves Global Smart City Recognition, Ranking 33rd Worldwide in IMD Smart City Index 2026.
This milestone highlights Mindsets’ role in enabling Hail, Saudi Arabia’s northern gateway, to enter the IMD Smart City Index on its first appearance.
As the strategic advisor to the Municipality of Hail, Mindsets designed a comprehensive smart city framework. Furthermore, it aligns with IMD evaluation dimensions: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. This framework unifies Hail’s modernization initiatives. As a result, the city achieves clearer prioritization, stronger coordination, and measurable citizen-focused outcomes.
Hail is a mid-sized city with approximately 500,000 residents in northern Saudi Arabia. In addition, it is historically celebrated as the cradle of Arab generosity. It also hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art site, which spans nearly 10,000 years. Consequently, entering the global ranking proves that innovation-driven urban transformation is not limited to mega-cities. Moreover, Hail serves as a model for sustainable development across the GCC and emerging markets.
Through the Mindsets framework, Hail enhanced digital municipal services, improved healthcare and public safety, expanded economic opportunities, and invested in environmental sustainability. Additionally, the integrated model connects these initiatives within a single operational system. This ensures that progress is visible, accountable, and aligned with international standards.
Dr. Rayan Khraibani, CEO of Mindsets, stated: “Hail’s achievement demonstrates how strategic clarity combined with disciplined execution genuinely improves residents’ lives. Ranking 33rd globally shows that mid-sized cities with the right vision can compete internationally. Therefore, this milestone reflects the Municipality’s leadership and the dedication of Hail’s citizens.”
With this recognition, Hail joins Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah, Al-Khobar, and AlUla among Saudi cities featured in the IMD Smart City Index. Furthermore, Mindsets continues to expand its urban transformation advisory services across the GCC, delivering measurable, citizen-centered strategies to cities seeking global impact.
