MENA-3 Gaming Market Reaches $1.92 Billion in 2023

The gaming market in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt (MENA-3) saw a 7.8% year-over-year increase, reaching $1.92 billion in 2023, with projections indicating it will rise to $2.65 billion by 2027, as reported by Niko Partners. Saudi Arabia accounted for over half of the region's revenue, followed by the UAE with 31.9% and Egypt with 10.5%. This growth is attributed to heightened public and private investment, significant disposable income in the region, and an increasing demand from the youthful population. The region had 68.4 million gamers in 2023, marking a 2.9% year-over-year increase, and is expected to reach 79.6 million by 2027. Notably, over half of the players in MENA-3 were from Egypt, while 30.4% were from Saudi Arabia and 11.1% from the UAE. Furthermore, the report highlighted that 71.5% of players in the MENA-3 region participated in esports, largely driven by government support. The majority of gamers, 87.2%, used smartphones for gaming, with an average of 8.7 hours played per week. According to Lisa Hanson, CEO and President of Niko Partners, the significant number of Arabic speakers worldwide presents a global opportunity for companies to succeed in the gaming industry by focusing on the MENA region. It is crucial for companies to recognize the growth in MENA gaming markets, understand local players and ecosystems, and adopt localized strategies to participate in the growth supported by governments, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other GCC markets.