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Doha, Qatar — In a milestone moment for the region’s digital future, the State of Qatar is set to host the first-ever edition of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The event, officially titled MWC25 Doha, will take place on 25–26 November 2025 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
Held under the esteemed patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the event is being organized by the GSMA, the global association for the mobile ecosystem, in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).
A Regional First for the Global Tech Stage
This marks the first time the globally recognized MWC series—traditionally held in cities like Barcelona, Shanghai, and Las Vegas—will be hosted in the MENA region. By bringing the event to Doha, Qatar is positioning itself as a strategic hub for digital innovation, policy dialogue, and global tech leadership.
MWC25 Doha is expected to draw participants from around 60 countries, including senior executives, policymakers, investors, and innovators. Approximately 40% of attendees will be at Director level or higher, reflecting the event’s high-level nature. The program promises cutting-edge exhibitions, dynamic networking environments, and hundreds of global speakers across keynotes, panels, and summits.
Aligning with Qatar’s Vision for Digital Leadership
Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H.E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, emphasized that hosting MWC25 is a strategic move aligned with the country’s national agenda:
“This event reflects our leadership’s commitment to positioning Qatar at the forefront of global digital innovation,” said Al Mannai. “It also aligns with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, to build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy powered by future technologies.”
Startup Innovation and Policy Dialogue Take Center Stage
Two flagship GSMA programs will debut in Doha for the first time: 4YFN (Four Years From Now), a startup platform connecting founders with global investors; and the GSMA Ministerial Programme, a high-level track focused on public policy and regulatory collaboration.
4YFN will provide a dedicated zone for early-stage companies to pitch innovations and explore partnerships, while the Ministerial Programme will host closed-door meetings, policy sessions, and curated networking opportunities. This initiative is set to foster alignment between governments, industry leaders, and development organizations around policies that promote digital growth and inclusion across the MENA region.
Global Tech Giants and National Champions Join the Lineup
MWC25 Doha is already attracting major industry names. Confirmed exhibitors include Mannai, Cisco, and Nokia, with additional announcements expected in the coming months. The event will also feature country pavilions from South Korea and Türkiye, highlighting growing global interest in the MENA tech ecosystem.
Leading Qatari telecom operator Ooredoo has been named as a Strategic Partner, while Qatar University will serve as the Educational Partner—a first in the history of MWC events.
A Future-Focused Agenda: AI, Infrastructure, and Industry 4.0
The event’s agenda will delve into how emerging technologies are reshaping economies and societies. Key themes include:
AI Nexus: Exploring artificial intelligence’s transformative impact across sectors like business, governance, and daily life.
Intelligent Economies: Focusing on digital infrastructure, data sovereignty, and the deployment of smart networks.
Connected Industries: Examining how next-gen technologies are transforming industries such as energy, mobility, finance, and logistics.
Specialized summits will tackle hot topics like agentic AI, 5G, fintech, IoT, smart mobility, satellite connectivity, and data center evolution. Each track will feature global experts and innovators discussing both groundbreaking ideas and real-world implementations.
Reinforcing Qatar’s Role in Global Digital Transformation
MWC25 Doha is more than just a tech conference—it is a bold statement about Qatar’s ambitions. The event supports the country’s long-term goals outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030, aiming to build a diversified, innovation-driven digital economy.
By hosting one of the world’s most influential tech events, Qatar is positioning itself as a regional leader in AI integration, smart infrastructure, and next-generation connectivity—while inviting global stakeholders to be part of its transformation journey.
As Vivek Badrinath, Director-General of GSMA, put it:
“MWC25 Doha provides a powerful platform for exhibitions, thought leadership, startups, and policymakers to collaborate and drive progress. We’re proud to support the region’s growing role in global tech innovation and investment.”
