- M360 MENA is a key event hosted by GSMA and Ooredoo Qatar, focusing on digital transformation and innovation in the MENA region.
- The event features discussions on cutting-edge technologies like 5G, AI, cloud computing, and IoT, driving economic growth and digital advancement.
- Strategic collaborations between telecom companies, governments, and industries are explored to enable digital transformation across various sectors.
- Sessions cover vital topics including cybersecurity, smart cities, sustainability, and policies for a digital economy in MENA.
- M360 MENA serves as a platform for regional and international leaders to forge partnerships and shape the future of digital connectivity in the region.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is rapidly evolving into a global powerhouse for digital innovation. With a digital economy projected to soar from $180 billion to $780 billion by 2030, industries across the region are turning to cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to upgrade their systems and stay competitive.
However, navigating this complex and fast-paced digital landscape requires more than just technology, it calls for strategic partnerships, expert guidance, and a clear vision for the future. M360 MENA is the event that promises to address these needs.
Hosted by GSMA in partnership with Ooredoo Qatar, M360 MENA is designed to bring together regional and international tech giants, industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders. This event provides an opportunity for these stakeholders to share their knowledge, make vital decisions, and form the strategic alliances necessary to shape the future of connectivity and digital growth in the MENA region.
Key Focus Areas of M360 MENA
M360 MENA will serve as a hub for discussions surrounding the technologies and strategies that are transforming industries in MENA. The conference will focus on several critical areas, including the role of 5G, digital partnerships, smart city innovations, and sustainability. Experts will convene to explore how these advancements will contribute to the region’s economic growth and digital advancement.
09:00 (AST) – Roundtable: The Business of 5G
At the start of the day, M360 MENA will kick off with an essential roundtable discussion titled Spectrum for Growth: Sustainable Leadership in the MENA Region. As MENA continues to experience rapid development, the role of 5G in this growth cannot be overstated.
This session will bring together industry leaders, regulators, and policymakers to discuss how spectrum management policies can empower nations to fully unlock the potential of 5G technology.
The conversation will explore how innovative spectrum policies can drive economic growth, enhance connectivity, and foster cross-sector collaboration. Key challenges, such as spectrum assignments and pricing, will be examined, and participants will brainstorm how to navigate these hurdles to ensure sustainable access to emerging technologies.
The aim is to forge a path where MENA can maintain its leadership role in digital transformation, ensuring its continued success in the global digital landscape.
10:00 (AST) – Conference: Enabling Digital Transformation and Innovation
Following the roundtable, the conference will host its second keynote session on Enabling Digital Transformation and Innovation Across Industries through Strategic Collaborations. The telecom sector plays a pivotal role in driving digitization across businesses and the broader economy.
Telecom companies are not only expanding their reach through connectivity but are also engaging in strategic collaborations with industrial organizations and governments to support digital transformation.
Moderated by Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, the keynote will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including Mirko Giacco, CEO of Ooredoo Fintech; H.E. Sherzod Shermatov, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan; and Alaa Abdulaal, Chief of Digital Economy Foresight at the Digital Cooperation Organization. Together, they will discuss how telecom companies are leveraging their technology expertise and connectivity to enable industries to adopt advanced solutions.
The session will cover topics including:
- Fintech & Super Apps
- Data Centres
- E-Government & Sovereign Cloud
- Customer Engagement
Telecom companies’ collaborations with the government and industrial players are enabling the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and cloud computing, helping industries thrive in an increasingly digital world.
11:30 (AST) – Roundtable: Policies and Regulations for a Digital Economy
The next roundtable discussion, Policies and Regulations for a Digital Economy in the MENA Region, is an invite-only event co-hosted by GSMA, UNDP, and Ooredoo. This gathering of policy experts, mobile network operators (MNOs), enterprises, and other thought leaders will focus on the policies and regulations required to drive digital transformation in the region.
The panel will cover:
- Incentivizing Advanced Digital Infrastructure: What are the right policies to encourage investment in digital infrastructure?
- Key Policy Drivers of Digital Transformation: How do the right regulations spur digital growth?
- Lessons from Advanced Digital Economies: What can MENA learn from more developed markets?
- Assessing Digital Economy Development: What metrics should be used to measure progress?
With the region’s digital economy rapidly expanding, the role of policy frameworks in shaping this growth will be at the forefront of the discussion. Stakeholders will work together to identify strategies for facilitating a sustainable and inclusive digital economy across MENA.
11:30 (AST) – Conference: Smart Projects Driven by Digital Innovations
Another vital session during M360 MENA will focus on Smart Projects Driven by Digital Innovations. Technologies like 5G, IoT, cloud computing, and AI are at the core of digital transformation efforts in several key sectors, including manufacturing and logistics. These innovations are unlocking new business opportunities, enhancing productivity, and reducing costs.
Moderated by Bocar A Ba, CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, the session will feature speakers like Dana Al-Muftah, Head of Smart Applications at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar, and Cynthia Layous, Regional Sales Manager at Google Cloud. The session will explore how digital technologies are being utilized to improve urban efficiency, quality of life, and competitiveness, particularly in smart city projects.
Topics for discussion will include:
- Accelerating Adoption of Smart City Solutions
- Boosting Industry Transformation
As MENA countries increasingly leverage these technologies, the session will explore how they contribute to developing smart cities, smart grids, and smart factories. These projects are expected to generate significant economic benefits in the coming years, particularly in the services and manufacturing sectors.
13:30 (AST) – Conference: Building Trust in 5G Enterprises
As 5G networks continue to expand, security becomes a primary concern, especially for enterprises adopting these technologies. The Building Enterprise Trust session, moderated by Samantha Kight from GSMA, will focus on the importance of cybersecurity in the enterprise 5G ecosystem.
The session will feature a panel of security experts, including Cyril Anand, CEO of Starlink Qatar, and Syed Ahmad Rasool, Senior Manager of Information Security at Vodafone Qatar. They will discuss the increasing demand for private 5G networks, which are seen as a way to monetize 5G in the enterprise segment.
The session will cover:
- Cybersecurity
- Data Management
- IoT Enterprise
- Private 5G
With businesses seeking more secure, private networks to protect their data and operations, the session will focus on the vital role of cybersecurity platforms in supporting the safe adoption of 5G technologies in enterprises.
14:45 (AST) – Conference: Shifting to Circularity
Sustainability remains a top priority for the mobile industry, and the MENA region is no exception. The Shifting to Circularity session, moderated by Haajerah Khan, Managing Director of Strategy Hub, will examine the mobile industry’s shift towards circular business models to reduce waste, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainability.
The mobile industry has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and the MENA region is making significant strides in this direction. Experts like Andrew Dunnett, Senior VP of Sustainability at e&, and Dr. Wassef Youssef El Abed, CEO of ARABSDO Ltd, will discuss the role of energy consumption, e-waste, and government support in achieving these ambitious goals.
Key discussion points include:
- Energy Consumption and E-Waste
- Government Engagement and Support
- Social Impact
The mobile sector’s commitment to sustainability is already showing promising results, with reductions in operational emissions and electricity use despite an increase in network connections. The session will explore how collaboration between governments, businesses, and society is essential to maintaining rapid progress towards sustainability goals.
15:30 (AST) – Closing Ceremony
The final event of M360 MENA will be the Closing Ceremony, where key players from the industry will reflect on the day’s discussions and the future of digital transformation in MENA.
Moderated by Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer at GSMA, the ceremony will feature speeches from distinguished leaders such as H.E. Mohammed Bin Ali Bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology in Qatar, and Sh. Ali Bin Jabor Bin Mohammad Al Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar.
This session will bring the event to a close, highlighting the key takeaways from the day’s discussions and setting the stage for future digital innovations and collaborations in MENA.
Looking Ahead
M360 MENA is more than just an event, but it’s a pivotal moment in the region’s digital evolution. By bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers, it provides a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing that will drive MENA’s digital transformation forward.
As the region continues to embrace new technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT, M360 MENA will play a critical role in shaping the future of digital business, ensuring that MENA remains at the forefront of global innovation.
