MENA SPEAKERS WEIGH IN: FUTURE TRENDS AND NEW INNOVATIONS SHAPING THE REGION

A number of bestselling MENA speakers and Middle East futurists/consultants tell us that a host of new technology trends and workforce innovations continue to sweep the region. And why not? Like many other geographic areas of the world, it’s one that’s been deeply impacted by the rise of AI, automation, machine learning and other new developments in recent years. Working in the MENA speakers and Middle East futurist space, we ourselves frequently get to see just how committed to growth, change, and innovation countries and governments in the local vicinity are. In fact, it’s quite a point of pride for many just how devoted they are to promoting programs that engender world-class education and insight.

Given our continuing interest in the space, it was interesting to learn that several major trends currently shaping the Middle East and North Africa region according to the top MENA speakers and futurists include:

• Rapid urbanization – Significant migration from rural areas to cities and growth of major metropolises like Dubai.
• Youth demographics – Large youth populations and demand for job creation.
• Digital transformation – Widespread mobile phone and internet usage. Expanding e-commerce and tech startups.
• Renewable energy – Investments into large sustainable energy projects like solar, wind and nuclear to meet power demands.
• Economic diversification – Efforts by oil-exporting nations to diversify into sectors like tourism, aviation, technology and finance according to the world’s best-known MENA speakers and Middle East futurists.
• Political reforms – Recent and ongoing reforms designed to expand participation and social freedoms in different countries.
• Luxury market growth – Increasing demand for luxury goods and services among high net worth consumers.
• Regional tourism – Growing tourism within the region between Middle Eastern countries as mobility increases – a plus in MENA speakers’ and futurists’ eyes.
• Health sector focus – Developing healthcare services and local capacity to reduce medical tourism abroad.
• Privatization – Countries privatizing state-owned assets and opening economic sectors like telecoms for foreign investment.

As you can see, rapid development and economic shifts, demographic changes, technological adoption and social reforms are reshaping MENA countries on virtually every front today, and should lead to an even brighter tomorrow for countries and government agencies in the region.