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GSMA MWC25 Doha To Accelerate Middle East’s Digital Future

Qatar is gearing up to host a gathering of global tech leaders focused on driving digital transformation, innovation, and collaboration across the Middle East.

Published

1 month ago

June 9, 2025

Nour Nasir

gsma mwc25 doha to accelerate middle east's digital future

Preparations are well underway for MWC25 Doha, the highly anticipated premiere edition of the GSMA’s prestigious Mobile World Congress (MWC) series in Qatar. Scheduled for 25-26 November 2025 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), the event promises to be a pivotal gathering for industry leaders, innovators, startups, and policymakers aiming to shape the future of digital societies in the Middle East and globally.

Announced as Qatar accelerates its transformation into a leading global digital hub, MWC25 Doha will spotlight emerging technologies, foster international collaboration, and showcase groundbreaking technical solutions. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, emphasized the strategic importance of hosting MWC, highlighting its role in strengthening Qatar’s digital influence and facilitating meaningful global partnerships.

MWC25 Doha’s rich conference program will address key topics crucial for the region’s digital advancement, including AI, intelligent economies, connected industries, 5G infrastructure, fintech, cybersecurity, smart mobility, data infrastructure, and IoT solutions. Attendees can expect thought-provoking keynotes, high-level summits, and focused discussions guided by global tech experts and visionaries.

“MWC25 Doha marks a significant milestone in fulfilling Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and the broader goals of Qatar National Vision 2030,” said H.E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Qatar. “This event demonstrates Qatar’s unwavering commitment to establishing itself as a regional hub for digital innovation and building a future-ready, knowledge-based economy”.

Also Read: UAE Introduces Region’s First License For “Finfluencers”

GSMA’s Director General, Vivek Badrinath, underscored Qatar’s strategic importance as the MWC’s regional host city: “Doha exemplifies the Middle East’s leadership in creating advanced digital societies. Qatar’s dynamic initiatives in 5G, AI-driven infrastructure, smart cities, and sustainability investments make MWC25 Doha an essential experience for technology stakeholders globally”.

As the Middle East continues its rapid journey of digital transformation, MWC25 Doha provides a unique platform to accelerate collaboration and drive technological innovation to shape the region’s future.

For more information and updates, visit the official MWC25 Doha website.

Related Topics:GSMA Mobile World Congress Qatar

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Saudi EV Adoption Accelerates With BYD Expansion & Tesla Launch

Saudi Arabia’s EV market is gaining momentum as BYD plans major showroom growth and Tesla establishes a foothold in Riyadh.

Published

2 days ago

July 16, 2025

Nour Nasir

saudi ev adoption accelerates with byd expansion and tesla launch

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a regional hub for electric mobility are drawing greater investment from global automakers. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is targeting 30% electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the capital, Riyadh, by the end of the decade — an objective that’s now shaping the strategic interests of international EV brands.

Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning a substantial thrust into the Saudi market, building on its current footprint of three showrooms. According to Jerome Saigot, BYD’s managing director in the Kingdom, the company aims to open 10 showrooms by the end of 2026.

“Saudi Arabia is a complex market. You need to go fast. You need to think big,” Saigot recently told reporters. “We are not here to stay at 5,000 or 10,000 cars a year”.

The announcement follows Tesla’s entry into the Saudi EV space, with the US automaker opening its first showroom in Riyadh in April. Tesla joins early players like BYD and Geely in what remains a nascent but strategically important segment for the Kingdom.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has also ramped up its electric mobility agenda. Its efforts include major investments in Lucid Motors, the creation of local EV brand Ceer, and support for the rollout of national charging infrastructure.

Also Read: Twitch Launches Arabic Right-To-Left Interface For Web & Mobile

However, electric vehicles still only account for just over 1% of total car sales in Saudi Arabia, according to data from PwC cited by Bloomberg. Key challenges include high upfront costs, limited public charging access, and the added complexity of operating in extreme heat conditions.

In spite of those hurdles, Saigot views Tesla’s entry as a net positive. “The more Tesla communicates on marketing, the better it is for us,” he said. Saigot joined BYD in April, having previously held executive roles at Nissan and Great Wall Motor.

With multiple brands scaling up activity in parallel — and government-backed infrastructure investment underway — Saudi Arabia’s EV sector appears set for rapid acceleration over the next few years.