Snap plants a flag in Doha. Creators, your move

Snap has opened a new office in Doha’s Msheireb district, with Evan Spiegel on the ground for the launch. The company is also setting up an AR Academy in Qatar, backed by an MoU with the Government Communications Office earlier this year. It’s a signal that Snap wants to be closer to creators, brands and policymakers in the Gulf, where daily usage and AR engagement are already high.

Snap opens in Msheireb, Doha

Snap’s new Doha office sits in the Msheireb district. The opening took place in the presence of Founder and CEO Evan Spiegel and Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani from Qatar’s GCO.

• Location: Msheireb, Doha
• Attendees: Evan Spiegel; Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani (GCO)
• Timing: 28 October 2025
• Purpose: strengthen Snap’s regional footprint and ties with creators and businesses

The company frames this as a milestone for its Middle East presence and a long-term bet on the region’s digital economy. The event underlines a push to be physically closer to partners who shape content and commerce in Qatar.

Why Qatar matters to Snap

Snap points to very active usage in the Gulf. People open Snapchat more than 45 times a day on average, and about 85% engage with AR daily.

• High session frequency across the Gulf
• Strong daily AR interaction
• Snapchat remains a preferred platform for social connection in Qatar

Those figures suggest a local audience that embraces short, frequent sessions and playful formats like Lenses. For Snap, planting teams in Doha should make it easier to localise features and campaigns with faster feedback from creators and advertisers. 

Related reading on Tbreak: Qatar’s Snapchat audience stands out

AR Academy: building skills in Qatar

Snap and Qatar’s GCO signed an MoU during Web Summit Qatar in February. On the back of that, Snap says it has started work on the region’s first AR Academy in Qatar.

• Origin: MoU with Qatar’s GCO (Feb 2025)
• Focus: training the next generation of AR talent
• Access: open to young innovators across the region
• Goal: support the creative economy and strengthen Snap’s AR leadership

If delivered well, the Academy could turn student projects and creator experiments into real commercial output, from cultural filters to retail try-ons. It fits the broader plan to develop local talent and tools while tying back to creative industry growth.

What Snap says this means for brands and creators

Snap claims the move unlocks more ways for businesses to reach a digitally engaged audience in Qatar as advertiser activity grows.

• Expands routes for brand storytelling on Snapchat
• Encourages creator partnerships with local flavour
• Positions Qatar as a key market for AR-led campaigns

For marketers, having Snap teams in Doha should mean faster turnarounds on campaigns, more cultural nuance in creative, and better access to creator networks. For creators, proximity often equals visibility, from workshops to brand briefs.

When did Snap open the Doha office?

28 October 2025. 

Where is it located?

Msheireb district, Doha. 

Who attended the launch?

Evan Spiegel and Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the GCO. 

What is the AR Academy?

A planned programme to train the next wave of AR talent in Qatar, open to young innovators across the region. 

What does this mean for advertisers in Qatar?

Snap expects more avenues to connect with an active, digital-first audience as advertiser numbers grow. 

Any data on Snapchat behaviour in the Gulf?

Snap cites users opening the app 45+ times daily on average, with about 85% using AR every day. 

Who can I contact for media queries?

snap.mena@webershandwick.com. 

Where can I learn more about Snap’s products?

Snap says its core products include Snapchat, Lens Studio and Spectacles; more at snap.com.