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MWC26 Doha: A Landmark for Global Connectivity

MWC26 Doha concluded with impressive success, attracting more than 10,000 attendees from over 100 countries and territories. This event not only demonstrated the scale of participation but also reflected the ambition of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in terms of digital growth and transformation. Over the span of three days, various keynote sessions, conferences, and networking opportunities were designed to explore how embedded intelligence, next-generation infrastructure, and national digital strategies are redefining MENA's role in the global connectivity ecosystem.

Collaboratively hosted with the Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the event was particularly noteworthy for being co-located with the opening days of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26). This setup facilitated invaluable interactions by placing policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and innovators in direct conversation, ultimately aiming to solidify MENA's digital future. As Sianne Ryder, CEO of Events and Industry Services at GSMA Ltd, expressed, “This unique co-location created a venue where those shaping the global digital agenda could engage directly with the entities responsible for bringing it to life.”

The impressive statistics from MWC26 Doha reveal the depth of its impact:

• - Diverse Participation: The event recorded over 10,000 unique attendees, which included 14% C-suite executives and over a third of visitors at the director level or higher.
• - Representational Diversity: Attendees hailed from industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem, ensuring a rich variety of perspectives and discussions.
• - Ministerial Engagement: The GSMA Ministerial Programme convened 86 delegations featuring 36 Ministers and 34 Heads of National Regulatory Authorities from 74 countries and 12 intergovernmental organizations.
• - Dynamic Discourse: The agenda boasted 195 speakers across various keynotes, summits, and partner programs, catering to a range of topics relevant to the current technological landscape.

Moreover, approximately 100 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners set the stage to showcase their contributions alongside the ITU PP-26. Notably, attendees were able to witness 42 partnerships and announcements officially signed, emphasizing tangible outcomes from the discussions.

The media coverage was robust, with more than 220 representatives from media outlets, content creators, and industry analysts present at the event, amplifying its reach.

As the GSMA transitions its focus toward the next edition of MWC in Barcelona, slated for March 1-4, 2027, the organization looks forward to reconvening in Qatar for MWC27, which is set to take place from November 15-17, 2027. The anticipation surrounding future collaborations reinforces the importance of dialogues initiated during events like MWC26 Doha, promising continued innovation and development in the field of global connectivity.