SHERIDAN, WYOMING - November 28, 2025 - MWC25 Doha has closed its doors after a high-profile two-day debut that drew almost 9,500 unique attendees and positioned the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as an increasingly influential hub in the global connectivity and digital innovation ecosystem.
A Landmark Debut for MWC in the GCC
Hosted in partnership with the State of Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, MWC25 Doha marked a strategic expansion of the GSMA's flagship event series into the GCC region. The show brought together senior leaders from both policy and industry as discussions focused on digital transformation, innovation and the next wave of 5G and beyond.
GSMA Ltd.'s CEO John Hoffman, said, "Thank you to everyone who attended MWC Doha, we are honoured by your participation - and special thanks to our hosts in Doha, the State of Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. MWC Doha has proven what's possible when a region steps forward with clarity, ambition and investment. Over the event, we've seen how Doha and the wider MENA region are creating a launchpad for innovation by bringing together the people, ideas and partnerships that move our industry forward."
High-Impact Audience and Strong Adjacent-Industry Presence
By the numbers, MWC25 Doha delivered a concentrated mix of decision-makers and ecosystem players:
- Almost 9,500 unique attendees from 110 countries and territories
- 20% C-suite attendees; 41% director level and above
- 61% representing industries adjacent to the core mobile ecosystem
- Nearly 300 speakers across keynotes, summits and partner programmes
- Over 250 exhibitors and sponsors
This profile underlines the event's role as a business and policy platform, not just a technology showcase. For ICT providers, hyperscalers, cloud-native players and vertical market leaders across finance, transport, media and public sector, the strong adjacent-industry representation signals growing demand for connectivity-enabled services, platforms and solutions anchored in Telecom & Networks.
Ministerial Programme Highlights Policy-Industry Alignment
The inaugural GSMA Ministerial Programme at MWC Doha convened 60 delegations representing 49 countries and more than 10 intergovernmental organisations. Over 30 partnerships and announcements were signed across the official Announcement Lounges and conference stages.
For regulators and ministries, this ministerial track provided a forum to address spectrum policy, infrastructure investment and the regulatory foundations for advanced connectivity and digital inclusion. For operators and vendors, it was a chance to secure partnerships underpinned by clear policy direction-critical for long-term 5G, 5G Standalone (5G-SA) and future network deployments across the region.
Showcasing Next-Generation 5G-SA Use Cases
On the exhibition floor, MWC25 Doha showcased concrete examples of digital transformation in action, with live demos that highlighted the role of ultra-low latency, intelligent networks and cross-regional integration:
- A record-setting, long-distance remotely driven car demo (GSMA Fusion Elmo) enabled drivers in Doha to pilot a vehicle 4,300km away on the roads of Tallinn, using 5G Standalone technology.
- Veloce's e-sports showcase, powered by Ooredoo Qatar's 5G-SA network and curated by GSMA Fusion, demonstrated how ultra-fast connectivity and low latency are reshaping entertainment, gaming and immersive fan experiences.
These showcases demonstrated to operators, vendors and enterprise customers how 5G-SA can unlock new business models in remote mobility, industrial control, immersive media and smart city services-providing a foundation for future GCC-wide deployments.
Start-ups, Innovation and the MENA Digital Launchpad
Innovation was also in focus at 4YFN Doha, which hosted over 100 global and regional start-ups, including 40 incubated by the Qatari Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). Startup delegations from FC Barcelona's BIHUB, GSMA M4D, MWCapital, QRDI, QSTP and the UNDP highlighted the growing international interest in MENA's digital market potential.
This mix of local and international innovators positions Doha as an emerging launchpad for new connectivity-centric solutions, from fintech and IoT to AI-powered platforms and digital public services. For investors and corporate innovation teams, MWC25 Doha offered a curated view of where early-stage innovation in the region is heading.
Closing the Usage Gap and Extending Digital Progress
Alongside showcasing advanced connectivity, the GSMA stressed that progress must reach every community in MENA. Discussions throughout the event emphasized closing the usage gap through affordable access, relevant services and systematic digital skills development.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, said, "Launching MWC in Doha at this pivotal moment gives the region a platform to show the scale of its digital ambition. The energy and focus across the event have been clear, with government and industry leveraging this inaugural edition to advance practical solutions and support new partnerships. At the same time, we know the job is not done. Extending digital progress to every community across MENA will take sustained collaboration, and the progress we've seen here is an important step in that direction."
With MWC25 Doha now concluded and on-demand content available via the MWC Doha website and Press Zone, the GSMA is already looking ahead to MWC26 Barcelona and the next edition of MWC Doha, where MENA's digital ecosystem is expected to return with even greater momentum.
For more information about the GSMA, its global connectivity initiatives and upcoming MWC events, visit https://www.gsma.com.