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- MWC Day 1 Updates; Dubai Square Mega-Mall Update; Saudi Opens Property Market
MWC Day 1 Updates; Dubai Square Mega-Mall Update; Saudi Opens Property Market
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Happy Wednesday everyone!
We’re on the ground at MWC25 Doha, where the Middle East is hosting the global tech showcase for the very first time, and the momentum here is undeniable. For our main stories, Dubai is pushing ahead with massive expansion as Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar unveiled new details on the AED 180 billion Dubai Square Mall, calling it “three times the size of Downtown Dubai” and set to open in three years with full EV integration. Saudi Arabia is preparing a sweeping shift in real estate access, with the Real Estate General Authority confirming that foreign residents will be able to buy property across all cities from January 22, except Mecca and Medina, while non-resident foreigners await designated zones.
But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.
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Mohamed Alabbar Says Dubai Square Mall Will Be Three Times the Size of Downtown Dubai, Costing AED 180 Billion
What’s it About?
Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar has revealed new details about the under-construction Dubai Square Mall, a AED 180 billion mega-development rising in Dubai Creek Harbour. Alabbar said the mall will be “three times the size of Downtown Dubai,” fully electric-vehicle friendly, and scheduled to open in three years.
Why it Matters?
With Alabbar personally spotlighting the project, Dubai Square is positioned to become one of the most significant retail and leisure destinations globally. Coming from the developer behind Dubai Mall, his remarks signal the scale and ambition of what could become Dubai’s next defining landmark — blending future mobility, massive retail capacity, and a strategic Creek Harbour location.
What’s Next?
More details are expected as construction progresses, including its entertainment zones, retail strategy, and integration with the wider Creek Harbour master plan. Analysts say Dubai Square could reshape Dubai’s retail landscape once again, showcasing Alabbar’s continued influence on the city’s urban and commercial evolution.
From Infrastructure to Innovation: MWC25 Doha Kicked Off with Major Insights
Day 1 of MWC25 Doha delivered a strong start, bringing bold ideas, regional ambition and forward-looking conversations to the Middle East’s first-ever edition of the global tech and telecom summit. The event opened with Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo drawing a powerful parallel between today’s AI boom and the early days of 3G, arguing that the industry now faces two defining challenges: access to specialised talent and the massive compute power needed to unlock AI’s full potential. His message was clear — AI is at an inflection point, and the region must prepare for its scale and complexity.
Continuing the theme of regional leadership, GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath praised Qatar and the GCC as a “lighthouse” for the broader MENA region. He emphasised that achieving the region’s ambitious digital goals requires sustained investment in infrastructure, innovation and inclusion. In his view, the foundations being laid today will shape the future competitiveness of the entire mobile ecosystem across MENA.
That future is already taking shape in Qatar. Qnbn CEO Eng. Ahmad Mohamed Al-Kuwari highlighted how the country’s early digital transformation efforts, from national fibre to next-gen connectivity, have positioned it at the forefront of technological innovation. With solid infrastructure and a proactive national strategy, he said Qatar is now ready to reap the rewards of its long-term vision.
Adding to the day’s momentum, Starlink Qatar CEO Cyril Anand spoke exclusively to Smashi Business. He reflected on Starlink’s 19-year journey in Qatar, its deep ties to Ooredoo and the significance of hosting MWC in Doha. Anand previewed his upcoming panels on private 5G networks powering autonomous operations across airports and ports, as well as the rise of non-terrestrial networks as satellite-enabled devices redefine connectivity.
Doha Emerges as the Region’s Tech Capital, Says GSMA’s Lara Dewar at MWC25
Lara Dewar, Chief Marketing Officer of the GSMA — the organization behind Mobile World Congress — sat down with Smashi Business on Day 1 of MWC25 Doha, marking the first time the global tech event is held in the Middle East.
Dewar explained that Doha was chosen because of Qatar’s “2030 digital vision,” strong investments in technology, connectivity infrastructure, and an exceptionally supportive government ecosystem. She said the GSMA first tested the market with an M360 event last year before graduating it into a full-scale MWC to attract a broader international audience. Alongside the exhibition, the Doha edition now includes the Ministerial Program, 4YFN startup community, global keynote speakers, and major industry CEOs.
She described Qatar as a “perfect marriage” for MWC due to its hospitality, speed of execution, and strategic location at the gateway to more than 2.5 billion people in surrounding regions.
On regional expansion, Dewar emphasized that GSMA plans to grow MWC Doha significantly over the coming years, leveraging the Gulf’s wealth, ambition, and rising status as a global connectivity hub. She also highlighted the region’s massive investments in data centers, energy, and network infrastructure — key ingredients for future leadership in AI and telecom.
Dewar shared that GSMA is already using AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and creative platforms such as Midjourney to enhance efficiency and marketing output. However, she stressed AI will augment, not replace, human creativity.
She closed by affirming MWC’s mission: enabling global decision-makers to meet, do business, and strengthen the connectivity ecosystem — in Barcelona, Doha, and beyond.
Saudi Arabia Opens All Cities to Foreign Property Buyers from January
What’s it About?
Saudi Arabia will allow foreign residents to buy property across all cities starting January 22, according to documents cited by AGBI. The Real Estate General Authority (Rega) confirmed the shift at Cityscape Global in Riyadh, where officials said “almost everywhere will be open.” Only Muslims will be able to buy in Mecca and Medina, while non-resident foreigners will be limited to forthcoming “special geographic zones.” Developers including Diriyah and Red Sea Global have already begun preparing off-plan sales for foreign buyers ahead of the changes.
Why it Matters?
This is one of the biggest real estate liberalisations in Saudi Arabia’s modern history. Opening property markets aligns with Vision 2030 goals to attract $100 billion in annual FDI and to transform giga-projects like NEOM, New Murabba, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and Red Sea Global into globally competitive investment hubs. The move also reduces historical barriers that required Ministry of Interior approval and signals Riyadh’s confidence in rising foreign demand for high-end residential and tourism-led developments.
What’s Next?
Rega will publish the final list of foreign-eligible zones in January.
Analysts expect giga-projects to dominate early demand, especially with the introduction of fractional ownership, a new mechanism designed to draw global investors. Developers anticipate a surge in registrations once the rules go live, positioning Saudi Arabia as one of the Middle East’s most attractive real estate investment markets in 2025.
🦄 World of Startups
Kingpin, a UAE-based startup, has raised $3.5M to accelerate the rollout of its AI-powered retail and distribution tools across GCC, Europe, and North America.
Secure.com (UAE) – Raised $4.5M from Disrupt.com and launched Digital Security Teammate, an AI-native cybersecurity agent platform.
Shatib (Saudi) – Secured $750K pre-seed from a strategic angel investor for its B2B group purchasing marketplace for construction materials.
SahmAlgo (Saudi) – Raised $1M seed led by Gharesah Investment to expand AI-driven financial analytics for traders and enterprises.
Takadao (Saudi) – Raised $1.5M seed from multiple investors to offer Sharia-compliant DeFi solutions via its community-owned LifeDAO.
FAST Ventures rolls out $3 million venture studio to back MENA startups.
bluworks lands $1 million seed investment to accelerate MENA expansion
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
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