The inaugural GSMA MWC25 Doha, held in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), has officially opened, uniting global leaders across government, technology, telecommunications, AI, and digital infrastructure. The landmark event underscores the Middle East and North Africa region’s accelerating digital transformation—projected to unlock US$470 billion in economic value by 2030.
Held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, MWC Doha was inaugurated with an official ceremony attended by the GSMA’s Vivek Badrinath and John Hoffman, marking the first-ever MWC edition hosted in the MENA region.
A Defining Moment for MENA’s Digital Future
Across the Gulf and wider MENA region, governments and enterprises are driving sweeping digital transformation strategies powered by AI, 5G, cloud computing, satellite networks, and intelligent infrastructure.
MWC25 Doha serves as a dynamic hub for collaboration, business acceleration, and future-focused dialogue—bringing together the world’s most influential technology companies, innovators, policymakers, and digital economy leaders.
On the show floor and in expert-led summits, discussions spotlight how next-generation technologies are reshaping key sectors including:
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Mobility & Smart Transportation
- Logistics & Supply Chain
- Financial Services
- Customer Experience & Consumer Tech
- Urban Planning & Smart Cities
GSMA Leadership Remarks
Vivek Badrinath, Director General, GSMA, emphasized regional momentum:
“MWC Doha represents a major moment for MENA and the global connectivity community. Across the region, we see world-class investment in networks, AI, and digital services. This 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.”
Qatar’s Vision for Global Digital Leadership
H.E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, reinforced the significance of hosting MWC in Doha:
“MWC25 Doha reaffirms the growing prominence of the Middle East and North Africa within the global telecommunications landscape. It provides a wider platform for engagement with industry leaders, enabling alignment with cutting-edge advancements that will strengthen the region’s readiness for the next phase of connectivity.”
Key Insights from GSMA’s Newly Released Reports
Two flagship GSMA reports launched at MWC25 Doha—the Mobile Economy MENA 2025 report and Accelerating Digital Industries in the GCC & MENA—highlight transformative trends:
Major Findings
- $470 billion – Mobile sector contribution to MENA’s economy by 2030
- 48% 5G adoption across MENA by 2030, up from 7% in 2024
- 378 million mobile internet users by 2030
- AI, mobile connectivity & digital devices to represent 45% of total digital transformation spend
- Enterprise digital transformation investment to average 9.8% of revenues across MENA (2025–2030)
The insights confirm that Qatar ranks among the world’s highest adopters of AI, big data, and private 5G within enterprises.
Driving an Inclusive Digital Economy
While Gulf nations lead globally in advanced connectivity, more than 340 million people across MENA remain offline despite coverage availability.
MWC25 Doha serves as a platform to accelerate digital inclusion through:
- Affordable device access
- Relevant content ecosystems
- Investment in digital skills
- Scalable public–private partnerships
Through its GSMA Mobile for Development initiatives, the GSMA continues to work with governments and industry stakeholders to bridge digital divides and empower underserved communities.
