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QNB Group, the Lead Sponsor and strategic partner of Web Summit Qatar 2026, is reaffirming its position as a driving force behind the country’s digital transformation journey.By uniting decades of financial expertise with cutting-edge innovation, QNB is helping shape Qatar into the region's premier fintech hub, fully aligned with the ambitions of Qatar National Vision 2030.“Digital transformation is not just about adopting technology but about reimagining banking as a catalyst for growth and resilience,” said Fatma al-Baker, executive vice-president, Infrastructure Services, QNB Group, in light of Qatar’s preparations to host the highly anticipated summit.She said: “At QNB, we are focused on ensuring our systems can adapt, scale, and innovate in ways that empower individuals, businesses, and the wider financial ecosystem, driving both economic progress and national objectives.”As the financial backbone of Qatar’s economy, QNB is leading the transformation of traditional banking practices through investments in agile and resilient infrastructure. This includes modernising customer journeys, embracing cloud technology, optimising operations, and prioritising advanced digital platforms to deliver seamless, secure, and scalable services.“The future of banking in Qatar depends on institutions that can balance stability with agility. Through our Transformation Office and strategic partnerships, we are building a strong, human-centric digital future that supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 and a knowledge-based economy,” added al-Baker.Through its multi-year role as Diamond Sponsor and strategic partner of Web Summit Qatar, QNB provides a platform for collaboration with global innovators, fintech players, and startups, building a dynamic financial ecosystem that accelerates innovation, fosters partnerships, and strengthens the wider economy.QNB will host a dedicated exhibition and thought leadership sessions at Web Summit Qatar 2026, featuring insights from its innovation and infrastructure teams. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how QNB is leveraging technologies, such as cloud platforms and AI, to deliver transformative, human-centred banking experiences that drive long-term economic growth. 

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) will showcase Qatar's digital transformation journey and efforts to build a competitive digital economy through a joint interactive booth with the Ministry of Sports and Youth during the Web Summit Qatar 2026, to be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre on February 1-4.The booth will highlight key national programmes supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, most notably the Digital Incubation Center, the TASMU Accelerator, and the "Scale Now" programme.The joint booth will feature a dedicated interactive theatre hosting panel discussions with leading technology experts and industry leaders, alongside live presentations and discussions on the latest digital trends and innovations.It will include a dedicated startup area, enabling companies to showcase their digital solutions and connect with investors and potential partners in sectors such as fintech, health tech, sustainability, smart cities, and other priority sectors.The MCIT will participate in a number of high-level sessions and organise a series of specialised masterclasses aimed at delivering practical content and applied knowledge for entrepreneurs, professionals, and policymakers.On the sidelines of the summit, the ministry is set to sign a number of memoranda of understanding with international partners to support co-operation in the fields of innovation and digital transformation.  

QNB Group will continue as Diamond Sponsor of Web Summit Qatar 2026, it was announced Sunday. The three-year collaboration reinforces QNB’s role as a key driver of digital innovation and fintech development in Qatar and across the wider MEA region, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Abdulla Mubarak al-Khalifa, CEO of QNB Group, said: “As a Diamond Sponsor of Web Summit Qatar, QNB shares Qatar’s ambition to build a knowledge-based, diversified economy. Together, we are shaping a future where innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology thrive, strengthening Qatar’s position on the global stage.” He added: “This partnership enables QNB to translate innovation into measurable impact. Through our Transformation Office, we are modernising customer journeys, operations, and platforms to deliver secure, seamless, and scalable banking experiences that benefit both businesses and individuals.” The sponsorship will accelerate Qatar’s digital transformation by leveraging global technology expertise, strengthening the fintech ecosystem, and empowering entrepreneurship by connecting more than 1,500 startups with investors to nurture the next generation of innovators. Visitors can explore QNB’s exhibition booth to experience cutting-edge banking technologies and join expert-led sessions showcasing how QNB is driving a digital-first future while supporting sustainable economic growth. 

Qatar Museums Chairperson Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is expected to be among the key Qatari voices at Web Summit Qatar 2026, highlighting the growing role of culture and creativity in global technology conversations as the event returns to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from February 1 to 4. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa’s presence signals that Web Summit Qatar continues to position itself as more than a technology conference, blending culture, creativity and innovation into the broader digital agenda. A strong investment and policy dimension is also expected, led by Invest Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani. During Web Summit Qatar 2025, Invest Qatar participated in sessions and side events that promoted Qatar as a destination for global startups and investors. In 2026, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed is likely to expound on Qatar’s investment climate, venture capital opportunities across the GCC, and the mechanisms supporting startup funding and scale-up from Qatar into international markets. Local founders who featured in the previous edition are also set to return to the stage, including Snoonu founder and CEO Hamad al-Hajri. He figured among the most closely watched Qatari entrepreneurs in 2025, when homegrown platforms were highlighted as proof of the country’s fast-maturing startup ecosystem. Urban Point CEO Saif Qazi and Skipcash founder Mohammed al-Delaimi are expected to share insights from the digital services and fintech sectors. In 2025, panels featuring local founders focused on customer acquisition, regulation and regional expansion. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, secretary general of the National Planning Council; and Mohammed Abdulsalam al-Emadi, executive director of Investment and Incubation at Qatar Development Bank will also headline the speakers. Both institutions were actively engaged in Web Summit Qatar 2025, where discussions centred on economic diversification, incubation programmes and public–private collaboration. With expertise in talent development and innovation education, Khalifa Alyafei, CEO of the Qatar Finance and Business Academy; and Sylia Khecheni, head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, are likely to revisit skills development, entrepreneurship training, and the role of academia in feeding the startup ecosystem, topics that gained momentum during last year’s summit. From the corporate and public-sector side, Najla Ibrahim al-Mutawa, executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development at QNB Group; and Eman al-Kuwari, director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, are expected to speak on digital transformation, corporate innovation and the government’s role in enabling emerging technologies. Adding a creator-economy dimension is Haneen Alsaify, a content creator, chemical engineer and entrepreneur, reflecting Web Summit Qatar’s continued expansion into digital influence and online entrepreneurship, an area that attracted strong engagement during the 2025 edition. The third edition of Web Summit Qatar is witnessing a strong demand for participation and expected to attract around 30,000 participants from over 120 countries, organisers said. 

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) recently hosted a team from Web Summit Qatar, led by Dima Wahbeh, deputy country manager at Web Summit Qatar, alongside other QBWA members.The meeting aimed to explore ways of co-operation and the exchange of expertise in the fields of innovation and technology, and was part of QBWA’s strategic vision to empower Qatari women and enhance their presence in the global economic landscape.The meeting discussed opportunities for collaboration between the QBWA and the Web Summit Qatar team. Both parties agreed to expand the scope of partnership and participation in the upcoming 2026 edition of Web Summit Qatar in February.Vice-chairwoman Aisha Hussain Alfardan emphasised that the meeting reflects QBWA’s commitment to strengthening its presence at major global events hosted by Qatar, foremost among them, Web Summit, one of the world’s leading platforms in technology and innovation. She highlighted the summit’s remarkable success in previous editions, attracting prominent tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the globe.Alfardan further explained that QBWA’s collaboration with global platforms, such as Web Summit, is aligned with its vision to empower Qatari women and enhance their presence in the digital economy and technology-driven innovation.She noted that this partnership will open new opportunities for women entrepreneurs to gain experience in modern technologies and develop their ventures using innovative digital solutions. She added that QBWA is keen to diversify its activities across multiple sectors, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy and foster innovation and creativity.Wahbeh commended the significant role played by the QBWA in supporting and empowering women, noting that this collaboration reflects Web Summit’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, and developing women’s participation in technology and digital entrepreneurship.She affirmed that Web Summit’s ‘Women in Tech’ programme is one of the global summit’s key pillars, designed to increase women’s representation in the tech sector and empower them to play an active role in shaping the future of the digital economy.Wahbeh added that collaboration with QBWA represents an important step in highlighting the success stories of Qatari women and showcasing their pioneering experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship — contributions that will enrich the summit’s content and strengthen Qatar’s position as a regional hub for excellence in this field.Both parties concluded the meeting by emphasising the importance of continuing collaboration and joint efforts in the coming period, in preparation for a distinguished participation by QBWA at Web Summit 2026. Both sides expressed optimism that their cooperation will further advance innovation and the empowerment of Qatari women in entrepreneurship and technology.

His Excellency Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani convened a meeting with Liaison Director of German BVMW GCC Office Nizar Maarouf, and Managing Director Christian Schwippert, to discuss coordination and the roadmap for the second edition of the German Startup Pavilion at Web Summit Qatar 2026, taking place from 1st to 4th of February 2026.During the meeting, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani reaffirmed his and his team's full support for the upcoming edition, ensuring strong collaboration and facilitation to make it an even greater success."Our work with the German startup community exemplifies our broader strategy to foster meaningful international collaboration in the technology and innovation spaces.""I personally look forward to seeing how the next wave of German startups tap into the opportunities that we continue to expand year over year," His Excellency added.Nizar Maarouf added: "We look forward to the active participation of the German Startup Pavilion at Web Summit Qatar 2026, following the great success of our first presence at the last edition of the event, which saw the participation of more than 100 German companies. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Sheikh Jassim and his team for their continuous support of our work and the hospitality shown to the German startup participants at Web Summit 2025."The meeting highlighted the shared commitment to further strengthen Qatari-German cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities for partnership and investment in a way that positions Qatar as a global hub for technology and innovation.

The third edition of the Web Summit Qatar, scheduled for February 1, is witnessing a strong demand for participation, more than four months before its launch, with expectations of attracting approximately 30,000 participants from more than 120 countries. This came during the meeting of the Web Summit Permanent Organising Committee today in Qatar, chaired by HE Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani. The Committee received reports on significant demand for exhibition space, tickets, masterclasses and speaking opportunities, more than four months ahead of the event. This strong interest and engagement reflect confidence in Qatar's position as a leading destination for entrepreneurs, investors and startups to convene. The 2026 edition is set to welcome 30,000 attendees from over 120 countries, including more than 1,500 startups, 700 investors, 350 speakers, and 600 media representatives, making it the largest and most diverse Web Summit Qatar to date. More than 80 partnership agreements have been signed with leading international institutions in the fields of technology, media, and investment. HE GCO Director, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani said, "Web Summit Qatar 2026 will bring together leading figures from technology, digital economy and entrepreneurship, demonstrating Qatar's ability to convene world-class events. Next year's Web Summit provides an ideal platform to strengthen our innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, expand our global presence, support Qatar National Vision 2030 goals in building a diversified, knowledge-based economy founded on innovation, and establish the country as a major regional and international business hub."