Middle East and Africa (MEA) Mobile Broadband Market Trends and Opportunities, 2023 Update

MEA Mobile Broadband Market Trends and Opportunities Report Overview

The total mobile service revenue in MEA is estimated at $93.9 billion in 2023. The market in the MEA region is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 3% during 2023-2028. The market will be driven by growth in all the device categories over the period. Handsets will be the dominant device category.

MEA Mobile Broadband Market Outlook 2023-2028 ($ Billion)

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The “Middle East and Africa (MEA) Mobile Broadband Market Trends and Opportunities, 2023 Update”, the new Telecom Insider Report by GlobalData, provides an executive-level overview of the mobile broadband market in MEA. It delivers quantitative and qualitative insights into the mobile market, analyzing key trends, competitive dynamics, and growth drivers in the region.

MEA Mobile Broadband Subscription Trends

Mobile Users Trends in MEA: Unique mobile users in AME will increase by 2028. Entry-level pricing and improving economic standards will drive growth. The countries with the highest mobile penetration are the UAE, Bahrain, and South Africa. Central African Republic (CAR), Equatorial Guinea, and the DRC have the lowest mobile penetration in 2023. Coverage expansions and the entry/expected entry of new MNOs and MVNOs in markets like South Africa, Ethiopia, and Nigeria will support mobile subscriber growth over the forecast period.

Mobile Technology Trends in MEA: 4G will hold a significant share of total mobile subscriptions in 2023. 5G’s share will rapidly increase by 2028, as more countries in the region are aiming to commercially launch 5G services. 2G and 3G, however, will decline over the forecast period as operators in several countries switch off their 2G/3G networks and subscribers shift to 4G and 5G services. For example, South Africa announced its plans to switch off 2G and 3G services in 2025, while Israel is looking to do the same by 2026.

Mobile Device Trends in MEA: Handsets will account for the majority share of total mobile subscriptions in 2023 in MEA. Other device types are M2M/IoT and connected data devices. The segment growth will be supported by growth in the number of people opting for mobile services for the first time in countries with low mobile penetration.

MEA Mobile Broadband Subscription Trends Analysis by Device Type, 2023 (%)

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MEA Mobile Broadband Revenue Trends

Mobile Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) Trends in MEA: Mobile data ARPU will grow from 2023 to 2028. Increasing usage of OTT and social media applications, on the back of growing coverage and the adoption of 4G and 5G services will drive growth in data ARPU.

Mobile Revenue Trends in MEA: Mobile service revenue in AME will increase from 2023 to 2028. The market will be driven by growth in all the device categories over the period. Handsets will be the dominant device category in the total mobile service revenue in 2023, over growing adoption of smartphones and expanding mobile network coverage across the region. However, the M2M/IoT segment will have the fastest-growing revenue over 2023-2028.

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MEA Mobile Broadband Market – Competitive Landscape

The key companies in the mobile broadband market in MEA are Ethio Telecom, Oman Future Telecommunications (OFT), MTN, TAWAL, and Saudi Telecom Company (STC) among others. Saudi Telecom Company (STC) was set to acquire a significant stake in Vodafone Egypt but, due to COVID-19, their extended MoU lapsed in September 2020. In December 2020, talks between the operators ended and Vodafone decided to continue its operations in Egypt.

In addition, in July 2019, the Ethiopian government announced it was selling a minority stake in Ethio Telecom and awarding two operator licenses to multinational companies.

MEA Mobile Broadband Market Players

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Key Segments Covered in this Report.

MEA Mobile Broadband Device Type Outlook (Market Share, 2023)

• Handsets
• Connected Data
• M2M/IoT

MEA Mobile Broadband Country Outlook (Market Share, %, 2023-2028)

• Saudi Arabia
• Israel
• Kenya
• South Africa

Scope

Unique mobile user penetration of the population will reach 67.7% in 2023 and will further expand to 77% in 2028

Mobile subscriptions in AME will reach an estimated 1.9 billion in 2023.

4G will be the leading mobile technology in 2023 and will increase during 2023-2028 period. The region’s increased uptake of 4G services and operator-initiated 4G network expansions will result in an increase in 4G subscriptions.

Reasons to Buy

• This Insider Report provides a comprehensive examination through a forward-looking analysis of AME’s mobile broadband market trends in a concise analytical format to help executives build proactive and profitable growth strategies.
• Accompanying GlobalData’s Forecast products, the report examines the assumptions and drivers behind ongoing and upcoming trends in AME’s mobile broadband markets.
• The report is designed for an executive-level audience, with charts and tables boasting presentation quality.
• The broad perspective of the report coupled with comprehensive actionable insights will help operators, equipment vendors, and other telecom industry players better position to seize the growth opportunities in AME’s evolving mobile broadband market.