Lara Dewar
As the tech sector looks to new markets for innovation and growth, the Middle East is stepping into the spotlight with Qatar taking a leading role under Vision 2030.
This November, leaders of nations, business and technology will convene under one roof at the inaugural MWC Doha to shape the future of connectivity and set the stage for a new era of digital collaboration across the region.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qatar is set to host MWC Doha for the first time, marking the expansion of the renowned global MWC series into the Middle East and the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership in Qatar.
Doha’s selection as host city is no coincidence. It aligns with the global recognition of MENA’s rising influence in shaping the future of technology, and, specifically, Qatar’s emergence as a digital leader. As the first MWC in MENA, it underscores the State of Qatar’s commitment to consolidating its position as a growing hub for dialogue on the future of telecommunications, information technology and digital innovation. And yet, MWC25 Doha would not be possible without the leadership and strategic partnership with the State of Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, our hosts in Doha, for whom we are most grateful.
Guided by Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and Digital Agenda 2030, the country has laid out a clear strategy and an ambitious roadmap for building a knowledge-based economy. Strategic investments in world-class infrastructure, digital services, and the wider technology sector are turning that vision into measurable progress and positioning Qatar as a credible partner in the global digital economy.
MWC Doha reflects a strategic partnership between the GSMA and the State of Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, rooted in close alignment on the role of digital innovations as a key driver of economic, social, and global progress. The event stands as a global meeting point, offering the region a platform to engage, influence and partner on equal footing with established tech hubs.
The Middle East’s pivot to drive global tech growth
With increasing investment, an expanding startup ecosystem, and bold national strategies, the Middle East is becoming a major engine for global tech growth. Governments are prioritising digital transformation as a national imperative. The presence of MWC in Doha reinforces this shift by offering a central point of connection that links strategies, markets, and people across a fast-moving region.
The GSMA’s global tech community will gather in Doha to showcase innovation, elevate regional voices, and unlock new avenues for collaboration. As a global organisation bringing mobile operators, technology firms, and adjacent sectors worldwide, the GSMA plays a central role in advancing this shared vision; it shapes digital policy and supports digital development and the global mobile ecosystem through its flagship MWC global series of events, most recently held in Barcelona and Shanghai.
The agenda at MWC Doha will feature 4FYN, the official startup platform of MWC and a world-leading event for new ventures. Over the past decade, the MWC 4YFN partnership has thrived in Barcelona and Shanghai and this November, 4YFN will open its doors in Qatar, uniting top investors, tech creators, and corporate innovators. Co-locating with MWC Doha, this event promises unmatched opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
Through the GSMA Ministerial Programme, policymakers from both regional and international spheres will convene to shape MENA’s digital future. Governments will explore frameworks to advance digital access and economic inclusion. High-level discussions will lay the groundwork for how policy, regulation, investments and digital ambition can come together to shape smarter societies.
And, we are bringing the GSMA Digital Leaders Programme, a bespoke invite-only forum designed to connect regional tech industry players with the global ecosystem. With its roots in MWC Shanghai and MWC Barcelona, it is coming to MENA for the first time.
From AI to fintech, smart cities to sustainability, Doha is offering the world a glimpse of what’s possible when technology is deployed with purpose. Over the next five years, MWC Doha will continue to grow into the Middle East’s most iconic connectivity event, defined by its scale and impact. At its core, MWC has proved itself to be a catalyst, and in Doha, it will amplify the region’s momentum as it builds the systems, policies, and partnerships that will define the next decade of tech.
