Doha: HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai affirmed that holding MWC25 Doha in the State of Qatar highlights the prominent position of the Middle East and North Africa region in shaping the next generation of communication technologies.
According to Qatar News Agency, during the official opening ceremony of the conference at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, His Excellency stated that hosting this event reflects the region's growing ability to adapt to global developments. It also demonstrates readiness to transition toward smarter and more efficient digital infrastructures that support development and drive innovation at regional and international levels.
His Excellency mentioned that digital transformation in the Middle East and North Africa is currently in a precise maturation phase, with the region's 427 million mobile service subscribers indicating broad growth potential. However, part of the population still remains outside full connectivity, making digital inclusion a shared objective and an opportunity for further achievement.
HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology emphasized that the telecommunications industry in the region is advancing toward building knowledge-based infrastructure, noting that connectivity alone is no longer sufficient. Intelligence has become an essential component of modern network systems, and as user needs evolve, the industry is adopting artificial intelligence-based solutions to enhance network efficiency.
He added that the region is moving toward networks capable of automatically optimizing their performance, transforming operators into providers of insight and expertise rather than mere suppliers of services and bandwidth. This advancement toward intelligent systems relies on data analytics and artificial intelligence to adapt swiftly to changing usage patterns.
His Excellency highlighted the transformation based on trends such as self-managing networks, stronger protection for digital infrastructure, and expanded investment in artificial intelligence to ensure data protection and localization of advanced computing capabilities.
At the heart of this landscape, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries stand as a model of advanced performance. Indicators show that GCC states possess high levels of digital readiness globally, with mobile internet speeds averaging 500 Mbps and internet usage rates between 97% and 100%.
Concluding his remarks, HE Al Mannai expressed certainty that the region now has a unique opportunity to narrow the digital divide, accelerate connectivity, and launch a new phase of digital growth. The convening of MWC Doha serves as a platform for exchanging perspectives on artificial intelligence, smart economies, and connected industries, aligning with the region's aspirations and reinforcing its role in shaping the global digital future.