The GSMA MWC26 Doha opened today at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, emphasizing the need for global industry standards and addressing the connectivity gap in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The event, which runs until November 10, aims to shape the future of a mobile economy projected to contribute $470 billion to the region by 2030.
Inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, the conference features key discussions led by industry leaders, including GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. Badrinath highlighted the importance of interoperability in networks and services across borders, as well as the urgent need to connect the remaining offline populations in MENA.
Focus on Connectivity and Standards
During the opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, noted the transformative changes in telecommunications infrastructure driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. He emphasized the necessity for resilient networks and diversified connectivity routes to ensure service continuity amid global challenges.
For the first time, MWC26 Doha is co-located with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), which is a significant event for the International Telecommunication Union, the UN agency responsible for digital technologies. This collaboration aims to enhance dialogue among policymakers and industry leaders, fostering a unified approach to connectivity and standards.
Insights from GSMA Reports
At the event, the GSMA released two pivotal reports detailing MENA’s mobile growth trajectory and the monetization of 5G services. The Mobile Economy MENA 2026 report reveals that mobile technologies generated $380 billion in economic value in 2025, accounting for 5.8% of the region’s GDP, with expectations to reach $470 billion by 2030. The report also highlights that 5G connections are anticipated to surge from 9% in 2025 to 40% by 2030, with operators projected to invest $88.9 billion during this period.
- In 2025, the mobile ecosystem supported 2.2 million jobs and contributed $40 billion to public finances.
- Despite 48% of MENA’s population using mobile internet in 2025, nearly half remained offline, underscoring the region’s connectivity challenges.
Additionally, the 5G Monetisation MENA report outlines how operators are transitioning from network rollout to revenue generation, with 17 of the 24 regional markets having launched commercial 5G services by September 2026. The report forecasts a rise in connections from 67 million in 2025 to nearly 350 million by 2030, with operators expected to invest an additional $53 billion to expand coverage and deploy standalone 5G networks.
MWC26 Doha continues to serve as a platform for industry leaders to discuss and strategize on the future of connectivity, with livestreamed keynote sessions and daily updates available through the MWC26 Doha Press Zone.
