Saudi Arabia has emerged as the Middle East and North Africa’s largest digital economy, with a market value exceeding SR495 billion ($132 billion) over the past few years. Meanwhile, the Kingdom’s Internet of Things market specifically is estimated to grow 12-18 percent year-on-year to reach a market size of SR25.8 billion, reflecting the technologically progressive approach that Saudi Arabia has taken to building the country’s future. The Kingdom also ranks first among the top three Arab countries in smart city investments and leads the Arab world in the Government AI Readiness Index as well as the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index.
Global investments in IoT are forecast to exceed SR4.5 trillion by 2026, and in the Middle East and North Africa, the IoT market is projected to reach SR90 billion by the same year.
FASTFACT
Saudi Arabia’s IoT market specifically is estimated to grow 12-18 percent year-on-year to reach a market size of SR25.8 billion.
As the region’s largest IoT market, Riyadh is set to host the Global Internet of Things Congress 2025 on Oct. 21. The three-day event — the largest dedicated IoT event in the Kingdom and the wider MENA region — will put the Saudi capital in the spotlight as a regional powerhouse of emerging IoT technologies.
More than 200 prominent exhibitors and speakers ranging from industries like IoT, artificial intelligence, smart cities, energy, healthcare, and other emerging technologies, are expected from all over the world to address over 5,000 high-profile attendees such as industry leaders, C-level businesspeople and governmental stakeholders.
The Congress, organized by the Internet of Things Association, is set to host public entities, academic institutions, private companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and media representatives from all over the world. This landmark event will feature keynote sessions, interactive workshops, a technology exhibition, and strategic partnership announcements.
Abdullah bin Salem Al-Bedaiwy, chairman of the board at the IoTA, said: “As a nonprofit organization, the association is committed to development and innovation, encouraging investment, enhancing local content, and increasing localization within the IoT sector. Our initiative aims to launch a global IoT platform in its largest market, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners who contributed to making this vision a reality, and we look forward to the support of both the public and private sectors to ensure the success of this global event on Saudi soil.”
He added: “As a nonprofit organization, the IoTA is committed to fostering innovation and advancing both human and technological capital in the IoT sector. Our vision is to host the region’s largest dedicated IoT event in its biggest market, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners who have contributed to making this possible, and we look forward to the support of both the public and the private sector, to ensure the success of this global gathering in Saudi Arabia.”
Global Internet of Things Congress 2025 will cultivate cross-border and cross-sector knowledge exchange, drive innovation, and unlock investment opportunities, aligned with the objectives of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
