Press Release

Dubai, UAE — January 27, 2026 — With the esteemed patronage of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the United Arab Emirates, the SAMENA Telecommunications Council is pleased to announce the 2026 edition of its invitation-only Leaders’ Summit, marking the Council’s 20th anniversary. The Summit, to be held at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, on April 1st, will bring together government leaders, regulators, global industry CEOs, investors, and heads of international organizations for an unparalleled dialogue on the future of digital convergence and collaboration. The agenda of the Leaders’ Summit 2026 will be defined under the global theme “Intelligent Networks for Sovereign & Sustainable Futures”

The 2026 Summit is not only a celebration of SAMENA Council’s two decades of industry support and contributions to the ICT ecosystem, it is a defining moment to shape the next twenty years of digital growth and innovation across the region. In a technology and business landscape, where rapid convergence between telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and space-based connectivity is driving change and innovation, the Leaders’ Summit 2026 will explore how intelligent networks can enable sovereign and sustainable futures. Leaders and experts will discuss AI-native and autonomous networks, the evolution of 5G-Advanced, future-ready broadband, and hybrid connectivity integrating terrestrial, satellite, and device-to-device technologies. The Summit will also examine edge and distributed intelligence, national strategies for sovereign AI, cybersecurity and trust, sustainable digital infrastructure, ecosystem and operator transformation, and the emergence of new value chains defining the digital economy.

“The Year 2026 reflects on and continues the SAMENA Council’s legacy of fostering industry-wide collaborations and strategic support to ICT sector stakeholders. We have another opportunity this year to shape the next decade of digital progress for citizens, businesses, our economies, and accelerate progress on the SDGs,” said Bocar BA, CEO of SAMENA Council. “The Leaders’ Summit 2026 provides a platform for policymakers, industry change-makers, and investors to align on strategies, partnerships, and innovations that will deliver intelligent, secure, and sustainable networks and communications capabilities for the region and beyond.”

Held in the UAE, a recognized global hub for digital leadership, the Leaders’ Summit 2026 will feature high-level discussions on spectrum governance, AI frameworks, regulatory readiness, and digital sovereignty, alongside investment-focused dialogues connecting capital with frontier technologies and scalable markets. Participants from Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, and beyond will explore cross-border collaboration, regional integration, and harmonized policies that support inclusive, interoperable digital ecosystems.

The Leaders’ Summit 2026 is being organized with the steadfast support of telecom operators led by the SAMENA Council Board of Directors and chaired by stc Group, with legacy sponsorship from Huawei, in strategic cooperation with Smart Africa and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

As the region’s premier forum for leadership and collaboration, the SAMENA Council Summit offers companies and ecosystem players an opportunity to engage with decision-makers, explore strategic partnerships, and showcase solutions that will define the next era of digital transformation. Organizations interested in sponsorship or participation are encouraged to connect with SAMENA Council to explore collaboration opportunities.