Technology converging: Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and MWC25 Doha

Launched in 2008, Qatar's National Vision 2030 set out to create a transformative roadmap to sustain long-term, knowledge-based, socio-economic prosperity. Since that time, the country has delivered world-class infrastructure, aligned with UN goals, nurtured expertise and laid the groundwork for greener energy. Now, having entered its third phase – National Development Strategy (NDS3) – Vision 2030 is steering purposefully towards technology and sustainability goals.

National Vision 2030 targets: some key numbers

Triple R&D expenditure target to 1.5% of GDP (NDS3)
4% annual rise in non-hydrocarbon GDP (NDS3)
Cut greenhouse gases by 25%
Capture 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide p.a.
Economic growth average of 4% annually (NDS3)
100% foreign ownership for high-tech ventures
Improve labour productivity by an average 2% p.a. (NDS3)
26,000 new jobs in Qatar’s ICT sector (NDS3)

Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 and MWC25 Doha

Launched in 2024, Qatar’s Digital Agenda 2030 is embedded within the broader framework of Vision 2030, recognising that technology is the load-bearing support that makes great leaps in societal transformation possible. Qatar is already well on its way to becoming a knowledge-based, digital first economy. As MWC comes to the Middle East for the first time this year in Doha, we take a look at some of the high-tech aspirations woven throughout these visions and why Qatar is the ideal host for the most impactful conversations in technology today.

Qatar rose 2 places to enter the top 10 of the IMD World Competitiveness rankings for the first time in 2025.

Qatar placed 6th globally and 1st in the Middle East for sustainable value creation in the Elite Quality Index 2025, rising 12 places in a single year.

Free zones fuelling innovation

Qatar’s network of special economic zones has supported the evolving intelligent economy since the mid-2000s. Bespoke regulation and commercial incentives continue to attract international tech leaders and brands and this growing ecosystem is anchored in key innovation hubs driving Qatar’s digital objectives.

Qatar’s Media City: home to CNN and Bloomberg; announced an MoU with Microsoft at this year’s Qatar Economic Forum to ‘advance digital innovation in Qatar’s media and creative technology sectors.’
Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP): innovation nucleus and tech accelerator actively encouraging research and development from the most exciting ventures in today’s digital community, alongside the region’s brightest startups.
Qatar Financial Centre (QFC): high-performance magnet for regional and global investment; home to the Innovation Dome and Digital Assets Lab initiative, which supports research into promising digital concepts in ecommerce.

Microsoft chose Qatar for a hyperscale global data centre region with Azure and 365, and the country houses the first Google Cloud region in the GCC and North Africa. Qatar is globally recognised as a welcoming place for entrepreneurs and global talent, ranking 8th in the world for ‘brain gain’ in the GTCI.

Discover big tech names in Doha’s commercial hub

Qatar’s tech-ed, people-first credentials

Local talent development continues to be a core strategic thread in Qatar’s National Vision 2030, with programmes to boost technology skills, digital inclusion and STEM education enshrined in the vision. In Qatar, women now represent over 58.3% of the local workforce and comprise 70% of graduates in technology-related fields such as information systems, computer engineering, general engineering and medicine. This chimes with MWC’s own successes in amplifying women’s voices in technology on the global stage with forums such as Tech4Girls and Women in Tech.

Qatar’s top ten national rankings

1st most peaceful MENA country (Global Peace Index)
1st in MENA GDP per capita (World Bank)
1st 100% internet penetration (World Bank)
1st in MENA sustainable value creation (Elite Quality Index)
1st in GCC for foreign investment policy (EIU Business Environment Ranking)
1st in GCC for financial services (Global Opportunity Index)
1st in GCC for economic resilience (FM Global Resilience Index)
2nd most competitive MENA economy (World Competitiveness Ranking)
2nd fastest mobile internet speed in the world (Speedtest Global Index)
3rd global digital development (ICT Development Index)
3rd most welcoming country for global talent (Global Talent Competitiveness Index)
5th highest world GDP per capita (World Bank)
9th most competitive global economy (WCR)

Qatar’s global knowledge impact: real projects, real outcomes

Sustaining the goals and values set out in the National Vision 2030 and Digital Agenda 2030, Qatar’s technology initiatives are already redefining possibilities for its communities and shaping outcomes beyond its own borders.

AI in healthcare:  the 2025 AutismTech conference in Doha brought together global experts and showcased advances such as AI-enabled autism screening, assistive technology, and VR for neurodiverse users. Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Qatar Computing and Research Institute (QCRI) is developing the world’s first Global AI Healthcare Readiness Index. Qatar Foundation is backing research into AI-powered diagnostics for rare diseases.
Ethical governance: the 2025 Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights Conference in Doha established a regional benchmark for AI ethics, data privacy and global policy participation.
Future finance: Qatar is already testing a digital currency and has deployed award-winning AI to combat fraud detection. Its green finance strategy powers ahead in sovereign bonds, investment and banking sustainability products, with initiatives targeting renewables, energy-efficient infrastructure and water management.
Carbon and energy management: Doha leads the way in major solar energy hubs and large-scale carbon capture schemes that promote reuse in industrial processes. Qatar hosts the GCC Program, the world’s first international carbon-credit programme based in the Global South.
Innovation startups: Qatar’s first-ever venture capital ‘Fund of Funds’ programme supports local and regional entrepreneurs, aligning strongly with the opportunities and mentorship for founders offered by MWC and its startup partner 4YFN.
Restoring the oceans: technology developed in Qatar is being used to grow artificial reefs inland and then transplant them to damaged areas; one of the first beneficiaries is Brazil.

Supporting Qatar’s digital transformation

MWC is proud to support Qatar’s strategic vision with the proven global reach and telecoms ecosystem leadership of the GSMA. Our MENA event offers an unmatched depth of knowledge in eleven summits covering fast-evolving topics across our three curated themes: AI Nexus, Intelligent Economies and Connected Industries. Themes and summits are chosen to resonate strongly with global and regional audiences and, reflecting the most significant technology opportunities of the day, they naturally align with Digital Agenda 2030’s pillars of infrastructure, government, technologies, innovation, economy and society.

Countdown to Qatar’s Vision 2030 with MWC25 Doha

Qatar is already a key destination for global thought leadership and innovation-in-action forums that elevate regional voices. Over the next five years, as the finish line for Qatar’s National Vision 2030 approaches, leaders of nations, business and technology will come together annually under one roof at MWC Doha – an unprecedented gathering sharing real-world insights, putting ideas into action and setting the agenda for MENA’s digital future.

Join us in November at the leading technical and innovation event for the region. Take me to pre-register.

Add your organisation to the world’s most recognised brands among our exhibitors and sponsors.

col 1

col 2

Download the MWC App

Blog