MENA’s rising global role in digital transformation
Muhammad Naeem:
Islamabad:GSMA MWC25 Doha – held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) – is bringing together global leaders from government, technology, and industry to explore how the region’s accelerating digital transformation can unlock $470 billion in economic value by 2030. The inaugural edition highlights the Gulf’s growing leadership in advanced connectivity, offering an important platform for new partnerships, demonstrations, and collaboration across the wider region. Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, MWC Doha officially opened with H.E. the Prime Minister formally inaugurating the event, joined by the GSMA’s Vivek Badrinath and John Hoffman onstage to welcome delegates to MENA’s first-ever MWC. Across MENA, governments and enterprises are accelerating the shift to intelligent networks and next-generation digital services spanning healthcare, mobility, logistics, financial services, and customer experience. At MWC Doha, expert-led sessions, summit discussions, and a dynamic show floor will bring together regional and global players to spotlight how key technologies – including AI, cloud computing, satellite connectivity, and data driven solutions – are driving economic transformation and reshaping industries.Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said: “MWC Doha represents a major moment for MENA and the global connectivity community. Across the region, we’re seeing world-class investment in networks, AI and digital services, and this visible ambition is creating new opportunities for societies and economies. At the same time, large parts of the region remain offline, and closing that gap must be a shared priority. The conversations starting here in Doha can guide the next phase of progress and inspire many geographies. I look forward to working with partners across the region to help ensure the benefits of digital transformation reach everyone.” On this occasion, His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of the State of Qatar, underscored the importance of the event for the region, stating: “The hosting of MWC25 Doha reaffirms the growing prominence of the Middle East and North Africa within the global telecommunications landscape. Bringing this international event to the region provides a wider platform for direct engagement with industry leaders, policymakers, and digital decision-makers worldwide, while enabling closer alignment with the latest advancements in communication networks and the development of new avenues for collaboration that strengthen the region’s readiness for the next phase of connectivity. We value the confidence of our partners at the GSMA in selecting Doha to host the first regional edition of the MWC series.”
