Technology

At a glance

Qatar offers a huge opportunity for investment in the technology sector. The Smart Qatar Program (TASMU) is designed to harness the power of technology and innovation turning Qatar into a smart country and opening new opportunities for the private sector. Qatar is also working hand in hand with multinational companies, such as Microsoft and Google, to accelerate its digital transformation and upscale the technology ecosystem. Qatar is the first country to deploy 5G, with a 99.7% world record of internet penetration, reflecting the great strides the country has undertaken as a forerunner in global digitalisation initiatives.

Home to the world’s

1st commercially available

5G network and two state-of-the-art communication satellites

7.2%

annual growth

of the digital sector through 2023

2.5%

Real GDP growth

ICT sector as of 2021 (PSA, CRA)

Ranked 1st

for internet adoption

globally with ~100% internet penetration rate

What's happening

Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH)

Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH) is dedicated to offer Qatar’s first ever specialised incubator and accelerator programmes, which target entrepreneurs with innovative and cutting-edge fintech ideas. QFTH complements the country’s efforts to develop a robust and globally competitive fintech ecosystem, aligned with the priorities of Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar’s Second Strategic Plan for the Financial Sector. As a steward of the Invest Qatar brand, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (IPA Qatar) partners with international firms to support their long-term success in fintech and other key sectors.

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QBIC – Digital & Beyond

Digital & Beyond is a specialised incubator dedicated to the development and acceleration of promising technology-focused startups and SMEs based in Qatar, and fast-growing tech businesses looking to soft-land in Qatar. Established by Ooredoo in partnership with Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), Digital & Beyond aims to empower the next generation of innovative businesses in Qatar, and attract scaling success stories to Qatar, via a holistic range of support and funding solutions.

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Qatar SportsTech (QST)

With over a decade of experience in startup investments and acceleration, Qatar SportsTech aims to accelerate the sports industry to new heights.
Qatar SportsTech is initiated by Qatar Development Bank, powered by Startupbootcamp and supported by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Stars League, beIN Media Group, Qatar Financial Centre, Aspire Zone Foundation, MBK Holding and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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Startup Qatar

Startup Qatar, an initiative by Invest Qatar, is a single comprehensive resource for information, support, and opportunities offered to startups.

Startup Qatar connects entrepreneurs to the country’s support services, funding and incubation programmes, government grants, networking events, and various other startup resources.

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Cybersecurity

The global cybersecurity market is set for significant growth with revenues expected to reach $403 bn by 2027. Cybersecurity has high potential in sectors utilising sensitive information like healthcare, education and the public sector. Qatar has the fastest growth in cybersecurity spending in the Middle East and is projected to have a budget of over $1.64 billion by 2026, offering significant investment opportunities for cybersecurity companies.

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Cleantech

Cleantech, which refers to methods of reducing the negative environmental impact of conventional technologies, has gained currency across the world on the back of sustainability trends and increased investment in Green energy. The share of renewable energy in total power generation in the MENA region is set to increase by a CAGR of 8%. Qatar government’s policies and futuristic tech infrastructure present a $75bn investment opportunity in the sector by 2030.

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3-D printing

Qatar holds promise for the futuristic sector of 3-D printing that is finding new uses in key industrial sectors worldwide. Aided by a macroeconomic environment infused with strong fundamentals, Qatar provides lucrative opportunities for 3-D printing-related businesses, particularly in sectors such as aerospace, infrastructure, and healthcare. Technological collaborations with institutions like Texas A&M in Qatar, Sidra Medicine, Qatar University, and the like strengthen the market potential for players who wish to invest with the help of State support and national programmes.

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E-Commerce

The popularity of E-commerce in Qatar comes on the back of high internet and mobile penetration rates — two key conditions among many to spur the sector. The advent of digital payment services has added momentum to online transactions, as has the pandemic that made online buying popular. With the fourth highest GDP per capita and a ranking of four on the 5G leadership index, however, Qatar’s E-commerce potential — the highest among the GCC States — still lies untapped. Investment opportunities exist across the E-commerce value chain, with 40 percent of the population under 30 and the highest spending per digital consumer in MENA.

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Who is already here

Oracle

Oracle is a market leader in autonomous, cloud, and application technologies, including enterprise-level database solutions and integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, among others. In Qatar, Oracle’s Cloud applications are powering the digital infrastructure and operations of many public and private institutions and provide opportunities for entities to tailor and improve their services to internal and external customers.

In 2019, Oracle signed an Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) with the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) with the aim of providing scale benefits to public institutions while ensuring standardisation and consistency of ICT service delivery across government agencies. Other areas include process efficiency and enhanced collaboration in public infrastructure projects, as well as accelerating digital transformation in logistics operations, including partnering with Milaha, Qatar’s leading force in Maritime and Logistics, to drive its operational efficiency with automated processes and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions.

Oracle’s latest venture in the country came in March 2020, when it signed an agreement with the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) to implement a ‘Customer Relationship and Billing Management System’ – a QAR55 million project to take place over the course of two years. Among other key objectives, the collaboration aims to offer Kahramaa a unified window for customer interactions while providing customers with enhanced services.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s presence in Qatar – set up at the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) – is focused primarily on the enablement and acceleration of Qatar’s digital transformation, providing technical training and capacity-building programmes, as well as engaging in research and development in key areas such as e-learning, cloud computing, and others.

Through its partnership with the government, Microsoft’s upcoming cloud data centre region in Qatar is set to go live in 2021 and will further expand its global cloud infrastructure, which is today serving more than a billion customers and 20 million businesses. The move will grant public and private entities in the country access to scalable, resilient cloud services with the added benefits of data-residency and the broadest compliance.

What’s more, the software leader is training 1,000 teachers with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) to help revolutionise Qatar’s classrooms, and is additionally engaged in R&D programs with Qatar Computing Research Institute, as well as working with Texas A&M University in Qatar in the field of mixed and virtual reality. Many of these developments are “Made in Qatar” and their innovations can be introduced to the global market.

Siemens

Siemens has been a local company in Qatar since 1970 and a partner in the region for more than 150 years. They area technology company focused on industry, infrastructure and transport. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation, they create technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, they empower their customers to transform into digital, smart and sustainable industries, helping them to achieve mutual commitment towards the Qatar National Vision 2030.

IBM

IBM’s forays in the emerging markets of the world continue with the opening of its branch office in Doha, Qatar – which was opened in 2012.

The increased presence in the Middle East region is stated to be in line with IBM’s global geo-expansion strategy, an initiative aimed at strengthening the company’s presence in growth markets such as Qatar.