Doha:MWC26 Doha concluded with over 10,000 attendees from 100 countries and territories, emphasizing the extensive digital growth and transformation within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

According to Marhaba, the event, held in collaboration with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), spanned three days and featured keynote sessions, conferences, and summits. Industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators gathered to discuss the role of embedded intelligence, next-generation infrastructure, and national digital strategies in reshaping MENA’s place in the global connectivity landscape.

The event was uniquely co-located with the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26), the main governing body of the International Telecommunication Union. This collaboration provided a platform for addressing critical digital issues impacting society, with participants engaging in discussions that aimed to connect policy to progress.

Sianne Ryder, CEO of Events and Industry Services at GSMA Ltd, highlighted the importance of the gathering, noting the unique opportunity it presented for policymakers and industry leaders to engage directly. The event also featured 86 delegations, including 36 ministers and 34 heads of national regulatory authorities, alongside 195 speakers and approximately 100 exhibitors.

The GSMA Pavilion showcased innovations in mobile connectivity, including a demonstration of 5G technology supporting emergency response operations. The GSMA also launched the AI for Impact (AI4I) MENA Initiative to promote AI-powered services and signed agreements with several organizations to enhance digital transformation in the region.

The successful completion of MWC26 Doha sets the stage for future events, as the GSMA looks forward to MWC27 Barcelona in March 2027 and the return of the connectivity ecosystem to Doha in November 2027.