Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H E Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai addressing the event.
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) unveiled the winners of the 9th Qatar Digital Business Awards 2025, yesterday, recognising institutions, companies, and individuals who played a key role in driving Qatar’s digital transformation forward.
The event was graced by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H E Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, alongside a number of distinguished officials, dignitaries, and leading figures from Qatar’s technology sector.
In his opening remarks, Al Mannai stressed that the award function serves as a cornerstone of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation and strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors. He stated: “The adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics has become an essential element in accelerating digital transformation across various sectors, thereby enhancing performance efficiency and improving the quality of services provided to the community.”
He highlighted that this is an outcome of a long-term strategic vision and sustained commitment, with a strong emphasis on the vital role that startups and SMEs play in driving and shaping the nation’s digital economy. “The Award highlights their success stories and active contributions in developing innovative technological solutions that reinforce Qatar’s economic competitiveness regionally and internationally,” Al Mannai added.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the ceremony, Director of the Digital Economy Department at MCIT, Faraj Jassim Abdullah, noted that the awards are an extension of the Digital Agenda 2030, and an example of one of the activities that happen on the ground to transform the country’s economy into a digital economy.
“We have categories such as AI and digital transformation initiatives, as well as awards for the best ICT companies and cybersecurity excellence, among others,” Abdullah said. “This year, we are proud to introduce a new category, ‘Best Scale-Up of the Year’, which reflects the remarkable growth and momentum within Qatar’s digital ecosystem. In previous years, our focus was on celebrating startups; Today, we are equally proud to recognise scale-ups that have successfully expanded and are driving the next phase of innovation and impact in the country.”
The director also mentioned that over 340 applications were received this year for the Qatar Digital Business Award 2025. “It’s a record number in our ninth year, and we are very excited because the competition was high throughout all the categories, and luckily, we had a jury panel of 35 people across all different categories, and it was a testament to how the ICT market in Qatar is growing,” Abdullah added.
This year’s edition showcased contests across 13 distinct categories, celebrating the nation’s most remarkable innovations and exemplary digital solutions. Among the winners are Meeza for ‘Best ICT Service Provider’, Cytomate for ‘Best Startup of the Year’, Al Jazeera Media Network, and Wasco for ‘Best AI Solution’.
