Regional programme to support AI deployment through telcos and government partnerships

The GSMA has launched its AI for Impact (AI4I) MENA Initiative at MWC26 Doha to help develop and scale AI-powered services across the Middle East and North Africa.

The initiative aims to bring together mobile operators including Beyon, du, Ooredoo, Turkcell, Vodafone and Zain, alongside governments, international organisations, academia and private-sector partners to turn regional AI ambitions into practical services and new opportunities for growth. 

The launch follows consultation and an initial workshop with mobile operators from the MENA region, hosted by Turkcell in Istanbul on 15 October 2026, and a subsequent meeting at MWC Doha. 

Mobile operators bring connectivity, data, infrastructure and delivery capabilities that position them as trusted partners for governments seeking to develop and scale AI-powered public services. The initiative will help connect these capabilities with the expertise of the wider AI ecosystem. 

Skills development, responsible AI governance and policy guidance will underpin this work, helping operators, regulators, and public sector foster collaboration to scale AI in the region.

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