IoT Summit

The Internet of Things (IoT) market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating a substantial increase in connections and market value. By 2025, the region is expected to have over 500 million IoT connection. With new and evolving connectivity choices in the Internet of Things, this summit will help to demystify the choices that customers and CSP’s face in making IoT Solutions as simple as possible so that IoT becomes mainstream in the customers products and operations.

We will explore how RedCap in IoT is emerging in some markets and the benefits and features it will provide. How NTN Operators are scaling up commercial operations and partnering with Mobile Network Operators to provide extensive coverage capabilities to meet customer needs. Governments in the MENA region are actively promoting IoT adoption to address challenges like water scarcity and improve infrastructure We shall look at new case studies and solutions that other new technologies will bring e.g. Ambient IoT, making it easier for customers’ needs in security, geography and connectivity in IoT.

Agenda

15:00 - 15:05 - Welcome and Introduction to the IoT Summit - Shantal Wilson, Senior Marketing Manager, GSMA

15:05 - 15:15 - Introduction to the GSMA IoT Community - Shane Rooney, Senior Technical Director - IoT, GSMA

15:15 - 15:30 - Orchestrating Intelligence: Beyond Connectivity in the Age of IoT and AI - Fuencisla Merino, Business Development and Digital Strategy, Ooredoo

15:30 - 15:45 - IOT evolution in the 5G advanced era - Danial Mausoof, Vice President of Technology, Product, and Services, Nokia

15:45 - 16:00 - Post Quantum Cryptography in IoT Ecosystem - Lory Thorpe, Strategy Advisor, IBM

16:00 - 16:15 - When Things Think: AI and GenAI Unlocking the Internet of Things - Fethi Filali, Director of Technology & Research, Qatar Mobility Innovations Center

16:15 - 16:30 - The Internet of Everything, Every Place, Everyone - Nada Meeajan, Country Digital Acceleration Lead, Qatar & Kuwait, Cisco

As IoT adoption accelerates across the MENA region, the true power of connectivity lies not just in devices, but in how those connections transform human lives and industries. This session explores the intersection of IoT, human experience, and next-generation connectivity. From wearables ensuring safety on oil rigs to devices empowering the elderly and differently abled to live independently, IoT is making technology more human-centered than ever. Through Cisco’s real-world examples across industry, logistics, and safety, we’ll uncover how IoT is evolving from a network of things to an Internet of Every Thing, Every Place, and Every One, leading to an inclusive future for all.

16:30 - 16:45 - Eman Al Kuwari, TBC, MCIT 

16:45 - 16:50 - IoT Summit Closing Remarks