Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Middle East smartphone shipments rose 13 percent to 54.8 million units in 2025, driven by flagship launches and Gulf upgrade cycles. Samsung strengthened its premium and mid-range leadership alongside Apple, while HONOR posted rapid growth. The market is expected to moderate in 2026 amid tighter supply conditions.
Morocco has cut smartphone import taxes to 2.5% under its 2026 budget to curb smuggling and support formal businesses. The move is expected to encourage local assembly and gradually lower consumer prices once new imports arrive.
Pakistan’s mobile phone market continues to strengthen its local assembly capabilities, significantly reducing dependency on imports and enhancing domestic production. Meanwhile, regulatory vigilance remains high with strong consumer complaint resolution, reflecting efforts to ensure quality and reliability in telecom services.
Africa’s smartphone shipments rose 6% in Q1 2025, led by Egypt and Algeria, with mixed results in Sub-Saharan countries. Midrange phones dominate sales, supported by financing schemes, signaling resilient market growth amid global downturns.
Egypt led North Africa’s smartphone market in Q1 2025 with 34% growth, while Africa’s overall shipments rose 6%. South Africa and Algeria showed strong gains, though Nigeria’s market contracted. Brands like Samsung and Xiaomi drove growth amid economic challenges and cautious consumer spending.
Africa’s smartphone market grew 6% in Q1 2025, led by Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa, with strong performances from Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, and HONOR. Challenges like economic pressures and consumer debt persist, but 4G and early 5G adoption offer growth potential amid a cautious outlook for 2025.
Jordan’s mobile phone imports have seen a decline in early 2025, with a shift towards a wider variety of brands offering more choices for consumers. This trend reflects a global slowdown in the smartphone market, marked by minimal growth in international shipments.
Africa’s smartphone market is projected to grow by 2% in 2025, with challenges such as inflation and currency depreciation. Chinese vendors like Xiaomi, Realme, and OPPO are leading the growth, while Transsion maintains its market dominance. Samsung, however, faces a decline despite a rise in its average sales price.
The African smartphone market grew by 9% in 2024, reaching 74.7 million units, driven by easing inflation. Transsion led with a 51% market share, while Samsung and Xiaomi followed. Despite challenges like high inflation and currency depreciation, Africa remains a promising growth market, with expectations of slower growth in 2025.
The Middle East smartphone market experienced strong growth in 2024, with a 14% increase in shipments driven by rising demand for premium devices. However, growth slowed in Q4, reflecting macroeconomic challenges. Looking ahead, brands will face challenges as consumer behavior shifts towards longer replacement cycles and cautious spending.