Qatar’s plan for a digital future

Unlocking Qatar’s Digital Future: Minister Al Mannai on Innovation and Collaboration

His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communication & Information Technology, expressed immense satisfaction with the recent Web Summit event. He highlighted the strong support from attendees and the positive experience of engaging with fans in an open city. The event’s successful conclusion generated widespread excitement for future editions in Qatar, with valuable lessons learned for continuous improvement.

The Minister underscored the significant interest in Qatar’s digital agenda, which serves as a comprehensive national strategy. He explained that realizing this agenda involves a long, multi-stage process, moving beyond traditional strategic planning and construction. The focus is on adapting to global trends and incorporating new elements into their developmental framework.

Key global trends identified include hyperactivity, hyper-connectivity, and hyper-activation. While acknowledging the prevalence of technological buzzwords like AI and IoT, His Excellency emphasized the critical role of human factors in their strategy. The overarching objective is to achieve hyper-activation, fostering a generation prepared to embrace future advancements.

Qatar actively embraces new AI trends and maintains a progressive policy in defining its national goals. This approach attracts innovation and focuses on core strategic items, particularly in telecommunications and specialized sectors. The nation is committed to making significant changes to enhance its digital landscape.

Qatar boasts one of the world’s fastest mobile networks, serving 29,000 subscribers, a substantial growth from 12,000. The country’s advanced infrastructure includes 1-gig capabilities, hyper-speed connectivity, and robust cloud testing facilities. These capabilities position Qatar strongly for further digital transformation and innovation.

The digital economy’s success hinges primarily on the private sector, with the government providing strategic direction. Its implementation requires broad cooperation involving federal entities, the private sector, central organizations, individuals, and talent. This collaborative ecosystem is crucial for achieving the national digital agenda’s targets.

The government aims to foster strong inter-governmental cooperation, acting as a foundational sector that educates and guides other departments. His Excellency noted the strong support from micro-media and government bodies, often demonstrating proactive efforts to achieve collective goals. He affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the private sector, stating, “we got your back.”