Qatar Insurance Group (QIC), the leading insurer in Qatar and the MENA region, yesterday inaugurated the fourth edition of the MENA InsurTech Summit alongside the inaugural MENA FinTech Summit at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
Held under the auspices of the Qatar Central Bank, led by the bank’s governor Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, and represented by its deputy governor Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Thani, the two-day event convenes over 1,500 participants, including more than 140 speakers, 100 startups, and 45 investors, to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance and financial sectors.
The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries, ministers and prominent public and private stakeholders.
A unified platform for innovation
The summits, held under one roof, represent a bold step forward in QIC Group’s efforts to build a unified platform that champions digital innovation in both the insurance and financial sectors. By bridging the two rapidly converging industries, the dual summits enable cross-sector collaboration, policy development, and investment in next-generation technologies such as AI, open finance, and embedded insurance.
QIC Group chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani opened the summit by underscoring the strategic importance of this unified platform: “These two summits, held under one roof, reflect our steadfast commitment to supporting Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and reinforcing the country’s position as a regional leader in innovation and digital transformation. More than annual gatherings, these forums serve as strategic platforms to empower entrepreneurs, encourage collaboration and attract future-facing investments to our economy.”
A legacy of leadership
Following the opening address, a keynote panel took participants on a reflective journey through QIC’s legacy as Qatar’s first national insurer. The session featured an archival photograph of QIC’s headquarters, one of the first four skyscrapers to rise in Doha over 60 years ago, serving as a powerful metaphor for QIC’s enduring role in shaping the country’s progress.
“QIC has always been at the forefront of Qatar’s evolution,” said QIC group CEO Salem Al Mannai. “From helping shape the skyline of Doha to driving innovation in the insurance industry, our mission has always aligned with national aspirations. It is only natural that we now lead in the digital transformation era, serving as a catalyst for economic growth, regional leadership and global relevance.”
This legacy reinforces QIC’s deep-rooted commitment to innovation, not just in technology but as a driver of national prosperity and global positioning.
As part of the opening day, a panel discussion featured CEOs of four leading insurance companies from across the MENA region, offering diverse industry perspectives on digital transformation, regulatory alignment, and the impact of AI on business models.
Qatar’s vision for a digital future
The summits are fully aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country’s National FinTech Strategy. With the support of strategic partners including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Commercial Bank of Qatar and Ooredoo FinTech, the event highlights a unified public-private commitment to building a resilient and inclusive digital economy.
Chairman Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships: “Supporting Qatar’s innovation ecosystem requires more than infrastructure; it calls for long-term partnerships grounded in shared vision. The presence of our national partners reflects a collective commitment to building a resilient digital economy.”
Real Results, Real Stories
One of the defining features of this year’s summit is the return of several startups that participated in previous editions of the MENA InsurTech Summit. Their presence and success stories offer tangible proof of the platform’s value, validating QIC’s investment in cultivating entrepreneurial ecosystems and accelerating innovation.
“The success of the previous editions is tangible in this year’s summit,” said Mr Al Mannai. “We are proud to see startups return, not as newcomers, but as players in the market, sharing their stories of growth and impact. This is what these summits are designed for: to empower, to scale, and to lead.”
AI and the industry: A transformative year
The 2025 theme, 'The Impact of AI on the Insurance Value Chain', mirrors last year’s focus but delivers completely new content, underscoring how rapidly AI continues to reshape the landscape. From productivity gains to hyper-personalised insurance services, the discussions reflect both the speed and scale of change within just a single year.
“AI is transforming the insurance industry on two levels: by increasing personal productivity at the workplace and by enabling insurers to create faster, more accurate, and hyper-personalized services,” added Mr Al Mannai. “At QIC, we believe that those who lead this wave of innovation will shape the financial landscape of the future.”
The MENA InsurTech and FinTech Summits reaffirm QIC Group’s unwavering dedication to building the future of digital finance in alignment with national priorities and positioning Doha as a thriving, competitive hub for InsurTech, FinTech and AI-driven innovation.