Snapchat Lands in Doha: A Bold Bet on Qatar’s Digital Future

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Snap Inc. has officially opened its new office in Doha’s Msheireb district, a move that cements its commitment to Qatar’s booming digital economy and the wider Middle East innovation scene. 

The launch was attended by Snap’s Founder and CEO Evan Spiegel and Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO), underscoring the partnership between the tech company and Qatar’s leadership in digital transformation.

Positioned at the heart of Doha’s innovation hub, the new office brings Snap closer to the region’s fast-growing community of creators, entrepreneurs, and tech visionaries. It also aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, reinforcing efforts to foster talent, drive innovation, and build a sustainable, creative economy.

“The establishment of this new office marks an important step in strengthening our strategic partnership with Snap Inc., which began three years ago and has already achieved key milestones,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani. “It supports our ambition to build a world-class digital infrastructure, attract skilled professionals, and empower exceptional talent across the region — further solidifying Qatar’s position as a regional hub for innovation and digital transformation.”

Snap Inc.’s MENA Vice President, Hussein Freijeh, described Qatar as “one of the region’s most dynamic and forward-looking markets.” He added, “With this new office, we’re deepening our roots in a market that celebrates creativity and culture, and reaffirming our commitment to empowering creators, partners, and businesses to unlock new opportunities within Qatar’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.”

The expansion builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between Snap Inc. and the GCO during Web Summit Qatar. Among its key outcomes is the launch of the region’s first Augmented Reality (AR) Academy, a pioneering initiative designed to equip young innovators with the skills to lead in immersive technology.

Snapchat’s engagement levels in the Gulf continue to set benchmarks globally. Users in the region open the app more than 45 times per day on average, with 85% engaging daily with augmented reality experiences — a clear indicator of how central AR has become to digital life and creative expression in the Middle East.

With its new office in Doha’s Msheireb district, Snap Inc. doubles down on Qatar’s fast-evolving digital economy—uniting creativity, community, and technology as the region’s appetite for AR-driven experiences continues to surge.