Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The Middle East and Africa smartphones market is poised for growth, driven by the increasing adoption of 5G technology and the expansion of mobile internet usage. Despite initial disruptions due to supply constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is expected to recover as supply chains normalize and vaccination efforts mitigate lockdowns. The development of 5G infrastructure and supportive government policies are anticipated to boost the demand for advanced smartphones, contributing to the market's expansion in the region.

Market Size of Middle East and Africa Smartphones Industry

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CAGR
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Historical Data Period 2019 - 2022
CAGR 9.00 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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MEA Smartphones Market Analysis

The Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market is expected to reach a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period (2021 - 2026). The regional smartphone market is also anticipated to witness some disruptions owing to the emergence of COVID-19. Supply constraints are likely to hamper the growth in the region owing to chipset and component shortages across most of the smartphone brands in the first half of the year. However, with the supply chain returning to normal and with the vaccine rollout anticipated to significantly reduce the possibility of additional lockdowns and surge in COVID-19 cases, the market is expected to witness the return of growth towards the second half of the year.

  • Moreover, as of Oct 2020, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Realme was aiming to become one of the prominent player in the GCC countries within the next two years. The company entered the GCC region in January but had to slow down its marketing efforts owing to Covid-19 and lockdowns. The company has launched nine of its models in the market and will be focusing on both online as well as offline channel. The product prices range between AED 399 and AED 1,199.
  • 5G is one of the major drivers for the growth of smartphones market in the region. According to Ericsson Mobility Report, in the Middle East & Africa, the number of subscribers for 5G services in the MEA region may reach 60 million by 2024, representing about 3% of all mobile subscriptions in the region. GSMA also estimates that there may be around 50 million 5G connections across MENA, of which 20 million connections could be in the Arab States alone, by 2025.
  • Hence, the development of 5G technologies and the increasing usage of mobile internet is expected to create significant demand for advanced smartphones in these regions. Vodacom, in May 2020, switched on its live 5G mobile network in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, with further rollouts planned for other parts of the country. The company also offered 5G enabled devices, such as LG V50 5G smartphone, and Huawei 5G CPE PRO FWA router, which customers could use to experience the 5G network within the coverage area of the 20 live sites.
  • Thus, telecoms in the region are partnering with device providers to encourage and reduce the friction in the usage of 5G technology. Further, government policies to enable device manufacturers to manufacture affordable 5G devices will also facilitate faster 5G adoption in the region.

MEA Smartphones Industry Segmentation

Smartphones, with strong hardware capabilities, extensive mobile operating systems, facilitating wider software applications, internet, and multimedia functionality (music, videos, and gaming), alongside core phone functions such as voice calls and text messaging, are considered in the scope. Smartphones used for industrial purposes or otherwise known as rugged phones are not considered in the scope. The market study is focused on the trends affecting the market in the major countries in the region. The study tracks the key market parameters, underlying growth influencers, and major vendors operating in the industry. The study tracks the impact of COVID-19 on the overall smartphone industry and its performance.

By Operating System
Android
iOS
Others
By Country
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Egypt
East Africa (Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda)
West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana)
Turkey
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Size Summary

The Middle East and Africa smartphone market is poised for significant growth, driven by the increasing adoption of 5G technology and the rising demand for advanced smartphones. The market is experiencing a resurgence as supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic begin to stabilize. Companies like Realme and OPPO are actively expanding their presence in the GCC region, focusing on both online and offline channels to capture market share. The development of 5G networks, spearheaded by telecom companies such as Vodacom, is a major catalyst for this growth, as it encourages the adoption of 5G-enabled devices. Government policies and partnerships between telecoms and device manufacturers are further facilitating the rollout of affordable 5G devices, enhancing the region's connectivity and digital infrastructure.

In Africa, the smartphone market is resilient despite economic challenges, with a growing demand for affordable and feature-rich devices. Companies like Transsion have successfully tapped into the market by offering products tailored to African consumers. Initiatives such as Orange's launch of the Sanza touch smartphone aim to drive digital inclusion by making 4G devices more accessible. The competitive landscape is intense, with major players like Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi vying for market share. Innovations in smartphone technology, such as MediaTek's premium gaming chips, are being introduced to cater to the premium segment. The focus on customer retention and product innovation is crucial as the market reaches saturation, with companies striving to maintain their competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.

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Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Industry Attractiveness -Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 1.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers

      3. 1.2.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 1.2.4 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

      5. 1.2.5 Threat of Substitute Products

    3. 1.3 Market Drivers

    4. 1.4 Market Challenges

    5. 1.5 Impact of COVID-19 on the Industry

    6. 1.6 Pricing Analysis

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 By Operating System

      1. 2.1.1 Android

      2. 2.1.2 iOS

      3. 2.1.3 Others

    2. 2.2 By Country

      1. 2.2.1 Saudi Arabia

      2. 2.2.2 United Arab Emirates

      3. 2.2.3 South Africa

      4. 2.2.4 Egypt

      5. 2.2.5 East Africa (Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda)

      6. 2.2.6 West Africa (Nigeria and Ghana)

      7. 2.2.7 Turkey

      8. 2.2.8 Rest of Middle East and Africa

Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Size FAQs

The Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market is projected to register a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd​, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd​, Xiaomi Corporation, OPPO Electronics Corp. and Infinix Mobility are the major companies operating in the Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market.

Middle East and Africa Smartphones Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)