The first edition of Retech Days MENA, organized by Dataxis last week at Dtec, Dubai Silicon Oasis, brought together the region’s key stakeholders shaping the future of the circular tech economy. The conference convened executives from refurbishers, telcos, retailers, marketplaces, insurers, and recyclers to address one shared mission — extending the lifespan of electronic devices and building a truly circular ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa.

Over the course of the day, the conference explored how the region can transition from fragmented initiatives to a scalable, standardized, and trusted secondary market. Panel discussions and case studies zeroed in on the critical pillars of circularity: repair readiness, refurbishment at scale, efficient reverse logistics, transparent data-wipe and grading systems, and the evolving economics of trade-in and take-back programs.

Participants agreed that the urgency has never been greater. With e-waste volumes increasing across MENA and global supply chains facing sustainability pressures, extending device lifecycles is not only good for the planet but essential for maintaining affordability and digital inclusion in fast-growing markets. Speakers from leading regional and international companies highlighted the importance of harmonized standards, warranty transparency, secure data handling, and trusted certification frameworks to unlock consumer confidence and investor momentum.

The event also underscored the growing alignment between telcos, retailers, and refurbishers in developing joint programs — from operator-led trade-ins and in-store collection points to partnerships with specialized refurbishers and e-commerce marketplaces. A major talking point was how to integrate AI-driven grading, traceable reverse logistics, and unified data standards to make refurbishment more efficient and verifiable at scale.

Sponsors including Mobile Outfitters, Mobile Sentrix, and Fixably played a pivotal role in supporting this milestone gathering, contributing insights on device protection, parts management, and after-sales repair optimization.

For MENA, the message from Retech Days was clear: refurbished tech is no longer an alternative — it’s the future. It lowers the total cost of ownership, expands access to quality devices, and conserves embodied carbon and energy. The challenge now is coordination — aligning governments, operators, and refurbishers around shared quality and data standards that can elevate refurbishment from a niche market to a mainstream, trusted pathway for consumer technology.

As Dataxis continues to build bridges between global and regional ecosystems, Retech Days MENA has set the tone for a new conversation — one where sustainability and scalability converge to power the circular future of tech in the region. Stayed tuned for the upcoming Retech Days Business scheduled for 27th of November in Berlin and Retech Days Brasil on the 4th December in São Paulo.