Market Trends of MENA Digital Payments Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the MENA Digital Payments Market according to our research experts:
High Proliferation of Smartphones and Social Interactions to Drive the Market Growth
- The Middle East and North Africa Digital Payments market is heavily driven by the region's high internet and mobile penetration. This digital ecosystem in the region supports the latest technologies, and increased mobile and internet penetration is further encouraging consumers to shift towards mobile wallets as they provide ease and convenience with the best global standards of security.
- Moreover, many carriers have released inexpensive smartphones with financing options to encourage mobile broadband use. By the end of 2025, there will be 565 million smartphone connections in MENA. This is an increase of almost 200 million connections over the next five years, and it means that nearly 80% of the population will have a smartphone.
- The remarkable smartphone adoption rate in Saudi Arabia is one significant factor driving the region's digital revolution. With around 21 million smartphone users (in 2019, about 80.7% of the population used a smartphone), the nation has the third-highest smartphone penetration rate in the world. That number is expected to rise to almost 24 million by the end of the current year. According to the World Bank, the country is one of the wealthiest in the world in terms of purchasing power, and this combination of circumstances has contributed to the high penetration.
- Additionally, the area offers fast internet access, allowing instant money transfers via digital payments. For instance, according to information made available by Ookla, internet users in Saudi Arabia may have anticipated the following connection speeds by the beginning of this year: The average fixed internet connection speed is 80.39 Mbps, and the average mobile internet connection speed over cellular networks is 91.06 Mbps.
- The region's social media platforms built their massive audiences on the promise of connecting people with their friends and family, meeting new people, and strengthening relationships. These platforms enable online purchases where user cash can be jointly spent with a friend on social media and they no longer require a request for an account number, which is a revolution in digital payment and drives market growth.
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Egypt to Drive the Market Growth
- Egypt, a country commonly known for government employees collecting cash payments for utility bills, such as gas and electricity, is gradually shifting toward more digital transactions. This is spurred by the strategy set up by the North African Central Bank to ensure all citizens of the country focus on digital payments and mobile wallets by having access to financial services.
- The adoption of digital payment methods by numerous businesses and customers in the region is anticipated as their popularity continues to rise. Therefore, the area needs a real-time infrastructure to support these payments and make them efficient.
- Citizens in these regions have relied on cashless or digital payment more than ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.The country had witnessed a progressive change in its legislative systems, such as the promulgation of a regulatory framework within the new Central Bank Law and the executive regulations of the E-Payment Law, to keep up with the global changes in the digital payment and banking sectors.
- Additionally, the Egyptian government intends to make New Administrative Capital a cashless city starting in February last year. In order to implement this, the nation is presently in talks with Mastercard, a leading provider of global payment systems. Mastercard plans to invest in the payment and collection infrastructure of Egypt's government ministries. By next year, more than half of Egypt's population is expected to subscribe to mobile internet services, and by 2025, there will be about 700 million mobile connections.
- Additionally, quick payment systems provide both consumers and organizations with several advantages. Mobile apps that enable users to send money to recipients specified by their mobile phone numbers rather than their bank account data are frequently used to access such payment systems. Customers who want quick, straightforward ways to shop online and those who use their mobile devices to pay for friends or brick-and-mortar merchants can benefit from such services. These methods allow customers to avoid carrying cash or credit cards.
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