Fully autonomous vehicles could unlock US$1 billion opportunity for Qatar by 2035

Qatar could capture nearly US$1 billion in economic value from fully autonomous vehicles (FAVs) by 2035, according to new research from Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network. The new analysis around autonomous mobility builds on the firm’s earlier regional study, which forecast a US$18.7 billion opportunity for GCC economies and US$182 billion globally.

Setting the stage for Qatar’s driverless future

Qatar is uniquely positioned to excel in the development of autonomous mobility, benefitting from several factors such as strong digital infrastructure, national 5G coverage, and an integrated public transport network that includes driverless metro operations and an electrified bus fleet. These foundations, coupled with Qatar’s growing tourism sector and its role in hosting major global events, create ground for scaling new solutions. The country welcomed more than five million visitors in 2024, with tourism contributing QAR55 billion (US$15 billion) to GDP. Scalable FAV fleets could streamline visitor flows for mega-events, enhancing last-mile connectivity between attractions.

Notably, autonomous technologies are already being piloted in the country through leading operators such as Mowasalat (Karwa), which has tested robo-taxis and autonomous shuttles under the oversight of the Ministry of Transport. Driverless vehicles have also been deployed in controlled settings at Hamad International Airport. These early initiatives provide a foundation on which new technologies can be scaled.

Dr. Andreas Gissler, Partner at Strategy& Middle East, said: “The next decade will see a sprint among countries competing to capture market share in autonomous mobility. In this race, Qatar is well positioned to seize a US$1 billion economic opportunity. The nation’s infrastructure provides a strong foundation for progress. This includes mixed-use districts suited to robo-taxis, large campuses ideal for shuttles, high-capacity feeder routes for robo-buses, as well as airport and waterfront corridors that could support passenger drones.”

Next-step policy and ecosystem actions

Strategy&’s research indicates that Qatar’s autonomous mobility ecosystem will evolve effectively through continued coordination among government entities, operators, and technology partners. Establishing a central program office could align funding, policy, and implementation, accelerating the shift from pilots to full-scale operations.

Regulatory clarity will play a central role. The development of frameworks around safety, liability, and insurance to decrease the risk of commercial operation, together with sandbox environments for testing, can provide operators with greater confidence to invest and innovate. Successful pilots will likely demonstrate measurable benefits, such as improved safety, reduced waiting times, higher utilization, and lower costs per trip, and communicating these results transparently could help strengthen public trust.

Building local operational capacity will also be essential. The research notes that establishing a dedicated robo-mobility services hub could enable 24/7 command and control centers, maintenance, and ongoing calibration of advanced driver assistance systems, supported by data and AI services. Ongoing collaboration across sectors could also be essential to determine the most effective operating models, from fleet licensing to public procurement approaches. Together, these efforts can accelerate Qatar’s progress toward the Vision 2030 goals of sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in transport.

Mark Haddad, Partner at Strategy& Middle East, concluded: “Building on its early pilots and advanced digital infrastructure, Qatar is positioned to cross the next tipping point for autonomous mobility. The focus ahead is on achieving scale and trust. This means integrating technology, regulation, infrastructure, and public engagement, so that autonomous mobility becomes part of daily life and delivers tangible benefits to the economy.”