Report by Ashraf Siddiqui
The GSMA and Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) unveiled new details for the inaugural MWC25 Doha during a pre-event press briefing at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
As the first MWC event in the MENA region, MWC Doha forms a cornerstone of Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030, bringing together over 200 speakers, 150 exhibitors from 60 countries, and more than 200 experts and industry leaders for two days of collaboration, innovation, and policy dialogue.
Key speakers at the press briefing included H.E. Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at MCIT Qatar; Khalid Aljumaily, Public Relations and Communication Director at MCIT Qatar; Lara Dewar, GSMA CMO; and John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA Ltd.
Confirmed exhibitors include global technology leaders such as Cisco, Dell, Google Cloud, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Huawei, Microsoft, Nokia, Ooredoo, PwC, VEON, Vodafone, ZTE, Qatar University, and the latest addition, Meeza, Qatar’s leading data center and AI services provider.
Highlighting the event’s significance, H.E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said: “Hosting the inaugural MWC25 Doha is an important milestone for Qatar and the region. It reflects our commitment to advancing digital transformation under the Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030, while positioning Doha as a global hub for technology, policy, and innovation.”
The briefing also saw the signing of five MoUs with the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), Qatar University, Media City Qatar, Ooredoo, and Vodafone, underscoring broad national support for the event.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, added: “With bold ambitions, strong investment capacity, and a supportive policy environment, MENA is one of the world’s most exciting digital markets right now. Qatar is at the forefront of this transformation, making Doha the perfect host for our first MWC in the region.”
Scheduled for 25–26 November 2025 at DECC, MWC Doha will span three halls, exploring themes such as AI Nexus, Intelligent Economies, and Connected Industries. The agenda will also feature the regional debut of 4YFN (Four Years From Now), the GSMA Ministerial Programme, the Digital Leaders Programme, and Smart City Expo Doha, a spin-off from the renowned Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.
In an exclusive with Teletimes, H.E. Reem Mohammed Al Mansoori emphasized the event’s role in uniting policymakers, CEOs, innovators, and entrepreneurs: “MWC Doha creates a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to convene, gain insights into emerging technologies, and shape regulatory environments that foster innovation.”
John Hoffman further highlighted the debut of 4YFN in Qatar, designed to integrate startups into the global ecosystem: “The initiative will bring entrepreneurs, investors, and regulators together, offering startups not only a platform to scale but also a pathway to international growth.”
With hundreds of startups expected to participate—mirroring the success of over 1,000 at MWC Barcelona—MWC25 Doha is set to be a transformative event, reinforcing Qatar’s role as a regional hub for technology, policy, and innovation.
