MCIT Completes Final Preparations for its Participation at Web Summit Qatar 2026

• Over 22 panel discussions and live presentations as part of the interactive theatre programme, alongside the organisation of two specialised hackathons.
• Participation of 24 startups incubated under the programmes of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Sports and Youth.
• Organisation of four specialised courses, in addition to the signing of more than 10 agreements and partnerships during the Summit.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has completed its final preparations for participation in the third edition of Web Summit Qatar 2026, taking place from 1 to 4 February 2026 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The Ministry will take part through a comprehensive and integrated programme, reflecting an active and impactful presence at one of the world’s leading platforms for technology and innovation, via its interactive booth located at E218.

This participation comes as part of MCIT’s commitment to engaging directly with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, contributing to global discussions on the future of the digital economy, and showcasing Qatar’s national experience in digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and future skills development.

The Ministry’s programme features a fully integrated interactive booth designed as an open space for dialogue and direct engagement. The booth includes an interactive theatre hosting more than 22 panel discussions and live presentations, with the participation of leading technology experts, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, in coordination with Invest Qatar. These sessions focus on strategic themes including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and innovation, as well as their practical applications in vital sectors and their role in supporting sustainable development and national talent development.

The Ministry of Sports and Youth also participates within the booth through a range of youth-focused initiatives and programmes, in collaboration with the Qatar Scientific Club. This participation reflects institutional integration in supporting Qatar’s national innovation ecosystem and aims to empower youth and entrepreneurs, enhance technical and practical skills, and create opportunities for learning, experimentation, and engagement with local and international expertise in scientific and technological fields.

The interactive booth highlights MCIT’s flagship programmes supporting entrepreneurship, including the Digital Incubation Center, which has supported the graduation of more than 415 startups; the TASMU Accelerator, which has supported more than 72 startups; and the Scale Now Programme, which has graduated 30 startups. The booth also showcases initiatives led by the Ministry of Sports and Youth in collaboration with the Qatar Scientific Club, with a focus on their role in empowering entrepreneurs and youth and building the skills required for the economy of the future.

As part of the Summit programme, MCIT will organise four specialised courses covering innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills development, including:

• A course titled: “From Pitch to Paycheck: Landing Your First Seed Round” on February 2, 2026, presented by Dr. Maher Hakim, a tech investor and startup mentor, in Masterclass Hall 3.
• A course titled: “Unlocking Growth Through Innovation” on February 3, 2026, presented by Jesko von den Steinen, Director of Innovation Systems and Experience Strategy at PwC Middle East, and Tim Rowe, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Cambridge Innovation Center, in Masterclass Hall 3.
• A course titled: “Qatar’s Model for Measuring Digital Inclusion” on February 3, 2026, presented by Ms. Duha Al Buhendi, Director of Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at the Ministry, in Masterclass Hall 1.
• A course titled: “Turning Digital Skills Insight into Real Impact” on February 4, 2026, presented by Ms. Nouf Abdulaziz Al Haddad, Head of Digital Competencies Section at the Ministry, alongside Ms. Duha Al Buhendi, Director of Digital Society and Digital Competencies Department at the Ministry, in Masterclass Hall 1.

In addition, Ms. Eman Al Kuwari, Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry, will participate in a dialogue session within the Summit program titled “Sovereign AI: Building Technology in a Transnational World” on February 2 (Theatre 6). In this session, she will highlight AI developments in national contexts and the role of digital initiatives in Qatar in this field.

Furthermore, the booth will allocate dedicated exhibition spaces for startups incubated under the programmes of MCIT and the Ministry of Sports and Youth, with approximately 24 startups participating throughout the Summit days on a rotational basis. This model aims to enable a larger number of startups to showcase their solutions, strengthen their presence, build new networks, and explore partnership and investment opportunities within the Summit ecosystem.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is scheduled to sign more than 10 agreements and partnerships with a number of local and international partners, aimed at strengthening cooperation in digital innovation, skills development, startup empowerment, and accelerating digital transformation across priority sectors.

The Ministry’s participation in Web Summit Qatar 2026 reflects a strategic vision to strengthen Qatar’s position as a hub for innovation and digital technologies, while attracting investment in advanced digital sectors. The participation focuses on supporting the growth of startups and enabling their access to global markets, while highlighting the regulatory readiness and investment opportunities within Qatar’s market. This contributes to creating high-quality jobs and advancing economic diversification, in line with the objectives of the Digital Agenda 2030.