BLJ Worldwide’s second State of the Region report on the technology industry confirms that investment in mobile technologies is key to a sustainable future in the MENA region

“Mapping the Technology Landscape” is the second annual offering from Doha-based strategic communications agency BLJ Worldwide.

The only umbrella study of its kind in the region, it delves into the development of the technology industry in various sectors of Arab countries in the MENA region.

One of the highlights of this year’s report is a new, exclusive essay by Professor Tarek Selim of the World Economic Forum:Smart mobility in the MENA region‘. It describes how such technology can not only solve the problems of urbanization, but also improve the quality of life for many people, and investments in smart mobility will help countries that want to diversify their economies based on oil and gas.

In addition to climate technology, the report focuses on four key sectors: fintech, edtech, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the media industry. Thought leaders and entrepreneurs have highlighted artificial intelligence and fintech as the two fastest-growing areas in the region.

Iman Asante, CEO of BLJ, said: “This year’s report represents the largest collection of thought leadership commentary from a selection of the region’s most distinguished industry experts. From generative AI and Arabic and the future of education in the rapidly evolving era of AI, to MENA’s growing appetite for decentralized finance, the report covers some of the most popular topics – all in the context of accelerating digital transformation in the region.”

The report features prominent contributors including Monaem Ben Lellahom, founding partner and CEO of Sustainable Square Group; Santiago Bañales, Managing Director of Iberdrola Innovation Middle East; Noha Shaker, co-founder of the Egyptian Fintech Association; Indica Amarasinghe, Branch Manager of Startup Grind Qatar; Michael Webster, executive chairman of media intelligence platform, Telum Media and Padmini Gupta, CEO of fintech Xare.

Justin Kerr-Stevens, CEO of BLJ Worldwide, said: “In the face of challenging global economic headwinds, the region is experiencing strong growth as a result of our continued focus on using technology to drive progress in all areas of the economy. In fact, the Middle East’s digital economy is expected to grow by 20% annually, reaching $780 billion by 2030. Combined with strong government support, the private sector is thriving and we have a dynamic and vibrant startup ecosystem that is attracting interest from entrepreneurs around the world.”

“MENA Tech 2024: Mapping the Tech Landscape” also has a special section that shines a light on the careers of female technology pioneers in the region, including Qatar’s Thuraya Al Mulla – the 2023 Arab Fintech Entrepreneur of the Year – and the founder and CEO of fintech Paragona startup; and UAE-based Padmini Gupta, CEO of Xare. Gupta is an award-winning banker and Global Leadership Fellow of the World Economic Forum who is currently revolutionizing financial services for migrant workers around the world.

What direction is the region heading in the next 10 years?

Comments from other industry leaders in the region include:

1. Dr. Salim Al-Shuaili, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Projects Department at Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said: “Artificial intelligence will radically transform the Middle East’s technological landscape, driving innovation and digital transformation across all sectors. It will drive urban growth, personalized healthcare, increase business productivity and enable workforce automation.”

2. Narayanan Ganapathy, co-founder of Bambucorn, a Bahrain-based fintech startup, said: “I expect the investment industry to democratize significantly over the next decade. Cryptocurrency and decentralized finance sectors will take center stage, with consumers largely looking to use online solutions 3 that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

3. Alexander Wiedmer, Partner and Director of Rasmal Ventures LLC, said: “As we head into 2025, the global community is at a tipping point and there must be no slowing in its collective efforts to achieve its 2030 net zero goals. This is especially true true for the MENA region, which has a historical and economic focus on fossil fuels coupled with a unique set of ecological vulnerabilities. Progress can only be achieved through continued and sustained investment in cutting-edge technologies that will facilitate a greener future.

Technology media landscape and MENA

Industry executives including Michael Webster, executive chairman of Telum Media, a media intelligence platform, and Dubai-based Kulmiye Tifow, director of LexisNexis, a provider of media monitoring and analytics services, have authored essays on the rise of AI-generated content in journalism and this , how deep fake news is, drives consumers to look for high-quality, trusted news sources.

“Where viewers are bombarded with disinformation and false images, amidst the noise and sensation, they turn to truly credible media – or first-class titles – where they can be sure that the information they receive is verified and authentic,” Tifow said.

Webster believes that AI-generated news content could find a natural home in the Middle East due to its young, tech-savvy population that reads most news on smartphones, supported by governments that have the resources to invest heavily in the promotion and development of AI. intelligence on a scale unheard of in other parts of the world.

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