14 July 2025; Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Smart Cities Council (SCC) signed a strategic MoU with PwC Middle East to collaborate on national and regional smart city initiatives across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Adding to the significance of the signing was the role of International Free Zone Authority (IFZA), who hosted the signing ceremony. Participating in the ceremony were: Corey Gray, President of Smart Cities Council; Hazem Galal, Partner, Cities and Local Government Global Leader & Smart Mobility Global Co-Leader, PwC Middle East; Samar Sayegh, Partner & PwC Academy Middle East Leader; Jochen Knecht, CEO, IFZA; Holger Schlechter, CFO, IFZA; Jessica Caruso, Corporate Relations Specialist, IFZA.
This partnership enhances the opportunities of SCC to support the transformation of this rapidly developing region.
The partnership builds on the region's accelerating investment in smart infrastructure and aligns with governments' priorities to diversify economies through technology-driven urban development. By combining SCC’s global insights with PwC Middle East's regional expertise, the partnership positions both organizations to leverage global best practices supporting the region's ambitious urban transformation goals and capitalize on opportunities in the rapidly evolving smart city ecosystem.
The MoU establishes a comprehensive collaboration framework involving PwC's Advisory and Academy teams. The partnership covers three key areas: capability-building at scale through upskilling programs, co-branded research and thought leadership, and potential joint participation in national transformation projects.
Commenting on this partnership, President & Chair of Smart Cities Council, Corey Gray, notes that, “Education is a key pillar of capacity building for Smart Cities Council. This partnership between Smart Cities Academy and PwC Academy, one of the world’s most recognizable organizations, is a significant step in amplifying our reach and impact in the Middle East, and in the medium term, globally.”
Hazem Galal, Cities and Local Government Global Leader and Global Smart Mobility Co-Leader, PwC Middle East, notes: "This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to shaping the future of urban living across the GCC. By combining our regional insights with Smart Cities Council's global expertise, we're positioned to support governments in delivering transformational smart city initiatives that enhance quality of life for citizens whilst driving economic diversification. The collaboration will enable us to scale our impact across the region's most ambitious urban transformation projects."
The partnership comes at a pivotal time for smart city development across the GCC, with governments prioritizing digital transformation as part of broader economic diversification strategies.
For more information on Smart Cities:
- Smart Cities Council Website
- Smart Cities Council News
- Smart Cities Council Events
- Smart Cities Council Education
- Smart Cities Council Contact Form
- Social Media via the tabs
