How big is the GCC And Africa ICT Market?

The GCC And Africa ICT Market size is expected to reach USD 266.55 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 9.77% to reach USD 424.73 billion by 2029. Read More

What is the current GCC And Africa ICT Market size?

In 2024, the GCC And Africa ICT Market size is expected to reach USD 266.55 billion. Read More

Who are the key players in GCC And Africa ICT Market?

Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.), IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, HP Inc. and SAP SE are the major companies operating in the GCC And Africa ICT Market. Read More

What years does this GCC And Africa ICT Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?

In 2023, the GCC And Africa ICT Market size was estimated at USD 240.51 billion. The report covers the GCC And Africa ICT Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the GCC And Africa ICT Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. Read More

GCC And Africa ICT Market Trends

Market Trends of GCC And Africa ICT Industry

Mobility and Telecom to be the Largest Technology Segment

The United Arab Emirates is recognized as the fourth country globally to roll out a 5G network. Leading telecom operators Du and Etisalat introduced limited 5G services and unveiled the 5G-capable ZTE Axon 10 Pro smartphone, available to both prepaid and postpaid customers. Given the United Arab Emirates’ robust GDP per capita and its status as a tech leader, the demand for 5G services is set to rise in the coming years.
The swift adoption of 5G in the GCC is fueling the region's telecom sector's demand for ICT solutions. Transitioning communication from traditional voice and SMS to video, 5G technology has been embraced early on by GCC nations. With its cutting-edge technologies and solutions, tech behemoth Huawei has cemented its status as a go-to partner in the region. Moreover, GCC operators have incorporated 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) into their commercial services.
In a bid to enhance 5G connectivity in the GCC and Africa, market players are forming strategic alliances. A notable move came in August 2024, when Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a key player in the Cassava Technologies group, teamed up with Globalstar, a US-based connectivity pioneer. Their joint effort is set to introduce sophisticated 5G solutions across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf.
As 5G services roll out and smart cities evolve, a surge in data traffic is expected, leading to a heightened demand for data centers. This trend bodes well for the ICT market's expansion in the GCC and Africa. According to projections from Ericsson, 5G mobile subscriptions in the MENA region are set to skyrocket from 24 million in 2022 to a staggering 270 million by 2028.
With the rising adoption of smartphones and 5G, the segment is poised for significant growth. The telecommunications landscape in the GCC and Africa is vibrant, featuring active internet service providers (ISPs), multiple sub-ISPs, mobile operators, and other licensed entities. As Telcos introduce innovative products and services for both consumers and businesses and engage in partnerships to amplify 5G adoption, the market is expected to continue to flourish.

GCC And Africa ICT Market: Forecasted Number of 5G Mobile Subscriptions, in Million, MENA, 2021, 2022 and 2028

Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market

Download PDF

South Africa is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share

South Africa is witnessing a swift surge in demand for hardware, software, and services. This growth is primarily driven by an increasing appetite for digital solutions, proactive government initiatives aimed at digital transformation in both private and public sectors, and strengthening partnerships among market vendors to enhance ICT solutions nationwide.
In a notable move, MTN South Africa teamed up with Eseye, a global leader in Internet of Things (IoT) services, in September 2023. This collaboration aimed to bolster IoT capabilities across Africa. The partnership details the introduction of Eseye's IoT solutions in South Africa, with aspirations to roll out the technology to 18 MTN affiliates across the continent. Central to this collaboration is the melding of Eseye's solutions with MTN's current infrastructure, leveraging Eseye's prowess in IoT development and execution.
Moreover, South African businesses and governmental bodies are ramping up investments in digital transformation. They are turning to technologies like cloud computing, big data analytics, and IoT, all in a bid to boost efficiency, productivity, and customer service. This digital pivot is propelling the growth of the nation's ICT market. In a testament to this trend, in March 2024, Oppo spotlighted its commitment to the IoT ecosystem for its product offerings in South Africa, aiming to bolster regional connectivity and innovation.
Furthermore, as per the data published by ITU in April 2024, South Africa has achieved the 100 million mark for the number of mobile cellular subscriptions by 2021, and the country has been maintaining the trend since. The continued maintenance of this trend is expected to drive the market studied.
On the policy front, the South African government is charting a course to transition all its IT services to the cloud. This strategic move seeks to promote seamless interaction among government departments and elevate digital services for citizens. Such policy initiatives are seen as catalysts for cloud computing adoption in the nation, further energizing the ICT market.
In line with these efforts, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies rolled out the National Data and Cloud Policy (GG No. 50741) on May 31, 2024. This was done in accordance with section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005. The newly minted Policy underscores the pivotal role of data and cloud technologies in propelling South Africa's socio-economic progress, enhancing government service delivery, and fueling the nation's digital economic ascent.