GSMA – The Mobile Economy Middle East & North Africa, 2024

GSMA's "The Mobile Economy Middle East & North Africa, 2024" report provides an in-depth analysis of the mobile industry's role in the region's digital transformation. The report highlights that by the end of 2023, 327 million people in MENA (49% of the population) subscribed to a mobile service, an increase of 160 million people since 2015. Although the usage gap remains substantial, it has narrowed by 2% since 2020, driven by the widespread availability of affordable data plans and low-cost internet-enabled handsets. The rapid growth of digital services and the large proportion of young people in the MENA region mean that online content is poised to become a key driver of mobile internet adoption in the coming years. The report also projects that 5G adoption in the MENA region is set to accelerate from 2025 onwards, reaching half of the region’s population by the end of the decade. The GCC states will continue to lead, with 5G forecast to cover 95% of the population in the GCC states by 2030, whereas other countries are still in the early stages of 5G deployment. Additionally, the report discusses key trends shaping the mobile ecosystem in the region, including GSMA Open Gateway, aerial connectivity, generative AI, and mobile money for humanitarian relief. These developments underscore the mobile industry's pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation across the Middle East and North Africa.