Doha's Digital Dawn: MWC Showcases MENA's Ambition and Challenges

DOHA, Qatar – November 26, 2025 – The inaugural MWC25 Doha concluded today, leaving little doubt about the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's determination to become a central force in the global digital economy. With nearly 9,500 attendees from 110 countries converging in the Qatari capital, the event served as both a declaration of intent and a practical showcase of the partnerships and technologies fueling this transformation. Yet, beneath the gleam of next-generation demonstrations and high-level deal-making, the conference also cast a necessary light on the profound challenges of ensuring this digital future is an inclusive one.

The event, hosted in partnership with Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), successfully positioned the region not just as a consumer of technology, but as a "launchpad for innovation," in the words of GSMA Ltd.'s CEO John Hoffman. The high-caliber attendance, with 41% of participants at director level or above and a fifth from the C-suite, underscores the strategic gravity of the discussions that took place.

A New Hub Forged by Strategy and Investment

MWC Doha is more than a conference; it is a physical manifestation of ambitious national strategies sweeping across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Qatar's own Digital Agenda 2030, a core pillar of its National Vision 2030, aims to create a world-class digital infrastructure and a knowledge-based economy. The nation already leads the world in enterprise adoption of AI, big data, and private 5G, according to a recent GSMA report. This government-led clarity sends a powerful signal to the global market, attracting investment and talent.

This trend is mirrored across the region. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has propelled the kingdom 25 ranks up the UN's e-Government Index, with Riyadh now ranking third globally for digital services. The country's enterprise spending on digital transformation is projected to average nearly 10% of revenues through 2030, with a particular focus on AI. This coordinated regional push, backed by substantial capital, is rapidly reshaping the global connectivity landscape. The inaugural GSMA Ministerial Programme at the event, which convened 60 delegations from 49 countries, further solidifies the region's emerging role as a key nexus for international policy and industry collaboration.

"MWC Doha has proven what's possible when a region steps forward with clarity, ambition and investment," said John Hoffman. "Over the event, we've seen how Doha and the wider MENA region are creating a launchpad for innovation by bringing together the people, ideas and partnerships that move our industry forward."

From Theory to Reality: 5G Standalone Takes the Wheel

While strategic dialogues set the tone, it was the tangible technology demonstrations that captured the imagination and proved the real-world viability of next-generation networks. The most striking example was a record-setting remote driving feat orchestrated by Estonian deep-tech firm Elmo. In a powerful display of 5G Standalone (5G-SA) capability, drivers in Doha seamlessly piloted a car located 4,300 kilometers away on the snowy streets of Tallinn, Estonia.

Powered by a collaboration involving GSMA Fusion, Ericsson, Nokia, and Ooredoo Qatar, the demonstration proved that mission-critical remote operations over public networks are not a distant dream but a present-day reality. The ultra-low latency and high reliability of the 5G-SA network enabled safe, real-time control across continents. For the cybersecurity domain, this leap forward is monumental. As industries from logistics and mining to defense and public transport explore teledriving, the security of these networks becomes paramount. Securing the command-and-control link is no longer about protecting data; it is about ensuring physical safety and operational integrity against sophisticated threats.

Similarly, a 5G-SA-fueled e-sports showcase by Veloce, curated by GSMA Fusion, highlighted how low-latency networks are revolutionizing immersive entertainment. The seamless, competitive gaming experience, powered by Ooredoo's network, is a precursor to a wider market projected to see emerging market esports revenue reach $3.5 billion by 2025, with 5G-enabled mobile gaming leading the charge. These showcases effectively moved the conversation from theoretical network speeds to tangible, high-value applications that will define new industries.

The Partnerships Powering Progress

Underpinning both the strategic vision and the technological marvels is a web of crucial partnerships. The "over 30 partnerships and announcements" signed at MWC Doha are the connective tissue of this emerging ecosystem. These are not merely symbolic handshakes; they represent concrete commitments to building capacity and fostering innovation.

Key agreements include a strategic cooperation between the GSMA Foundry and Abu Dhabi's Khalifa University to advance AI research within the telecoms industry. Qatar's MCIT also launched a partnership with GSMA Advance to accelerate the development of digital skills—a critical component for sustaining a knowledge-based economy. The event's 4YFN (4 Years From Now) startup platform hosted over 100 ventures, including 40 incubated directly by MCIT, demonstrating a foundational commitment to nurturing homegrown innovation alongside global giants like Cisco, Google, Huawei, and Microsoft, all of whom had a major presence. This collaborative model, integrating government, academia, global enterprises, and startups, is the engine driving the region's digital agenda.

Confronting the Connectivity Paradox

For all the celebration of advanced connectivity, GSMA leadership was careful to ground the conversation in a stark reality: the "usage gap." The GSMA's Mobile Economy MENA 2025 report, launched at the event, revealed that over 340 million people across the region remain offline, even though they live within areas covered by mobile broadband. This connectivity paradox—where access exists but adoption does not—is the single greatest hurdle to achieving equitable digital progress.

The barriers are complex and deeply rooted, ranging from the affordability of devices and data plans to a lack of digital literacy and the scarcity of locally relevant content. Addressing this gap is not a task for operators alone; it requires a concerted, multi-stakeholder effort. As Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, stated, "Extending digital progress to every community across MENA will take sustained collaboration, and the progress we've seen here is an important step in that direction."

This focus on digital inclusion is a crucial counter-narrative to the top-line technological advancements. While events like MWC Doha rightfully celebrate driving cars from 4,300km away, their ultimate success will be measured by how effectively the region can empower its entire population to participate in the digital economy. The partnerships forged in Doha around digital skills and affordability are therefore just as significant as those involving 5G-SA and AI. As the region solidifies its position on the global stage, bridging this internal divide will be the defining challenge and the truest measure of its digital transformation. The energy and ambition on display at the inaugural MWC Doha suggest a strong commitment to tackling this challenge head-on, ensuring that the benefits of connectivity reach everyone.