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This Nov. 18-19, international and regional leaders from the mobile, technology and policy sectors will convene at the first-ever Doha edition of M360 MENA, opening a transformative chapter in the digital evolution of the Middle East and North Africa. The region’s digital economy is projected to grow from $180 billion today to $780 billion by 2030, and with Qatar’s leadership in digital innovation and ambitious vision for a thriving, global economy, we are honored to hold M360 MENA with host sponsor Ooredoo, in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Technology.
Innovation and digital progress
M360 MENA will commence with the event’s official opening ceremony led by Mohammed bin Ali Al-Mannai, minister of communications and information technology of Qatar, with Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, group CEO of Ooredoo, and Jawad Abbassi, head of MENA at GSMA.
With a focus on AI and 5G, M360 MENA is shaping up to be an unmissable event for networking and debate, fostering innovation and collaboration and helping to advance the digital economy’s growth potential across MENA. A diverse group of C-suite executives, government officials and technology innovators will gather to share knowledge and discuss the partnerships, tech and policies that promise to unlock the power of connectivity and drive the region forward.
Also set for M360 MENA is the publication of the GSMA’s annual Mobile Economy MENA report, which we will publish in full on the first day of the event. This comprehensive report is a deep dive into the state of the mobile industry in the MENA region in 2024, providing evidence that in the digital age, connectivity is more than a convenience — it is a necessity. The report finds that the role of mobile infrastructure and services will become even more vital to the way society functions, as governments increasingly use digital technologies to tackle some of the most pressing social and economic challenges.
A curated platform for strategic dialogue and action
With these challenges in mind, from bridging the digital divide to navigating complex regulatory landscapes, discussions at M360 MENA will address barriers such as these with a focus on the mobile sector’s essential role in advancing digital transformation in the region through 5G rollout and the rise of AI applications. Mobile technology and connectivity is a powerful enabler, helping people and societies to have access to education, health care and economic opportunities, which is essential with rapid urbanization alongside vast, underserved areas. It is the connective tissue that binds societies together in our digital, online world.
With the region on track to become a global digital economy hub, advancements in machine learning, cloud computing, and IoT are redefining industries and unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurship and workforce development. M360 MENA will shine a light on these trends and bring stakeholders together to create an enabling environment for digital growth. This growth, however, cannot reach its full potential without addressing regulatory and social barriers, expanding digital literacy, and making digital access more affordable.
According to GSMA’s State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 report, although 96 percent of the MENA population has access to mobile broadband, only 49 percent are currently online. This mobile broadband usage gap — impacting nearly half of the region’s population — is caused by challenges including affordability, device accessibility, and digital skills. Addressing these barriers will unlock substantial socioeconomic benefits and drive GDP growth across MENA.
On Day 2, I will join senior leaders from Ooredoo Fintech, the Digital Cooperation Organization, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies, and stc in Keynote 2. Together, we will explore how collaboration is vital for driving innovation, accelerating digital transformation across industries, and shaping a resilient digital future for the MENA region.
The path forward requires a concerted effort to support mobile operators in building infrastructure, navigating complex regulatory frameworks, and creating an environment conducive to sustainable investment. Governments have a key role to play, particularly in optimizing sector-specific taxation, universal service funds, and fair share regulation to bolster digital development.
Our M360 and MWC global series has long convened policymakers and industry leaders with a focus on digital-first societies, and our MENA event will play host to exclusive roundtable discussions on 5G and spectrum initiatives. With our long-earned reputation as a facilitating force outside the UN to enable influential regulatory conversations, this invite-only format will help drive impactful dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders for robust, digital ecosystems.
Join the conversation at M360 MENA 2024
As well as key discussions, cross-industry partnerships are critical in driving regional progress. This year’s event will feature exhibitors and sponsors such as China Mobile, Comarch, iHorizons and Google Cloud, showcasing the innovative technologies that continue to push the boundaries of connectivity and digital inclusion. To secure their place at M360 MENA and engage with the region’s thought leaders and visionaries who are shaping the future of digital transformation in MENA, attendees should register on the official website. By working collaboratively, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and prosperous digital future in the MENA region.
- The writer is Lara Dewar, chief marketing officer of GSMA.