Doha, Qatar: In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, nations around the world are racing to build robust Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (DEEs) that can drive economic growth, foster innovation, and ensure global competitiveness.
Qatar has emerged as a notable player in this arena, according to the Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index (DEE) Global Report 2025.
The report, published by the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), offers a comprehensive analysis of how countries perform across key pillars of digital entrepreneurship. For Qatar, the findings highlight both progress and areas for improvement, positioning the nation as a regional contender in the digital economy.
Qatar ranked third in the region and 50th globally in the DEE Index with a score of 47.7 out of 100, placing it ahead of many of its Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) peers.
This performance reflects steady advancements in digital infrastructure, user engagement, and institutional frameworks over the past five years.
Notably, Qatar’s score represents a significant increase from its baseline in 2017, underscoring the country’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development.
These rankings illustrate Qatar’s strategic focus on becoming a hub for digital innovation in the Gulf, supported by its National Vision 2030 initiative, which emphasises diversifying the economy beyond hydrocarbons through technology and entrepreneurship.
One of Qatar’s standout performances is in the Digital Technology Infrastructure (DTI) pillar, where the country has made substantial strides. With investments in high-speed broadband networks, smart city projects, and advanced telecommunications systems, Qatar has laid a solid foundation for digital participation. According to the report, DTI scores have grown at an annual rate of 6.18% globally since 2017, and Qatar’s efforts align closely with these trends.
Another area of strength is Digital Security, where Qatar ranks among the top performers in the MENA region. The government has prioritised cybersecurity measures, implementing stringent regulations and fostering public-private partnerships to protect users and businesses. This focus not only enhances trust in digital platforms but also positions Qatar as a secure environment for startups and investors.
However, the DEE Index points to structural gaps that Qatar must address to accelerate performance. These include improving private-sector-led innovation, increasing the commercial scalability of start-ups, and expanding venture capital and angel investment opportunities. While Qatar has incubators such as Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Digital Incubation Center (DIC), and various university-led accelerators, the translation of early-stage innovation into large-scale enterprise remains a challenge. Digital entrepreneurship depends not only on infrastructure but also on a cultural and financial environment that embraces risk-taking and fosters high-growth start-ups.
Talent and skills development are another critical component of the DEE framework. Qatar continues to expand digital skills training through initiatives led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and partnerships with global technology companies. Education City institutions are also playing a key role in developing a skilled, innovation-ready workforce. Yet, retaining locally trained talent and connecting it with start-up ecosystems at scale remains an area requiring further policy intervention.
The DEE ranking also arrives at a time when Qatar is seeking to leverage innovation to sharpen its competitive edge globally. The nation has already proven its ability to transform sectors through digital tools. Recent successes in digital governance and AI-enhanced public services illustrate government-level digital capability. The challenge now is creating an environment where the private sector—particularly start-ups and SMEs—can thrive independently, attract investors, and compete internationally.
Looking forward, experts note that Qatar’s pathway to raising its DEE score and global ranking lies in bold, targeted reforms. Increasing digital entrepreneurship financing channels, deepening university-industry collaborations, incentivising start-ups through procurement policies, and integrating AI and emerging-tech incubation are among the priorities that could elevate Qatar into the top 40 globally within the next assessment period.
