Naver's cloud-based digital twin technology is expected to be used to build Smart Cities across Saudi Arabia.
Team Naver said on the 20th that the Saudi Digital Government Authority (DGA) has approved its digital twin platform as the official platform for local governments. Accordingly, the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing sent a directive to each municipality to give priority consideration to the Team Naver platform when pursuing Smart City projects.
The Saudi government aims to reduce redundant investment in regional digital twin projects and standardize technology and operations. The Team Naver platform will be used to drive data-based transformation of local administration in urban planning and operations, asset and infrastructure management, and urban safety. Municipalities also plan to share accumulated data and operational know-how with one another.
Team Naver won a contract in Oct. 2023 to build a digital twin ordered by the Saudi Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. In 2025, it completed deployments in three cities—Mecca, Medina, and Jeddah. The modeled area covers 6,800 square kilometers, more than 11 times the size of Seoul, and includes over 920,000 buildings transferred to the digital space.
The company plans to use this approval to expand cooperation with local governments and corporations and to advance digital twin technology tailored to Saudi conditions. Chae Sun-joo, Naver's head of strategic business, said, "This is the result of recognition for the proven results and trust we have built locally," adding, "We will strengthen our position in the Middle East digital transformation market based on digital twin, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud technologies."