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Smartphones and AI: Reshaping the Middle East E-commerce Market

Get ready for a big surge in online shopping! Fitch predicts that households in the Middle East will spend an impressive $63.5 billion on e-commerce by 2026, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE leading this exciting growth.

4 min read
Smartphones and AI: Reshaping the Middle East E-commerce Market

The e-commerce market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is entering an exciting new phase of expansion! This growth is fueled by changing consumer habits, the widespread use of smartphones, and the rapid adoption of digital payment solutions. Fitch agency estimates that household spending on consumer goods through online channels will reach around $63.5 billion by 2026. A report titled "E-commerce Outlook in the MENA Region," highlighted by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Council of Ministers, explained that the growth of the online market in the region is based on several key factors. These include increased consumer confidence in online shopping, the development of payment and delivery infrastructure, and companies expanding to offer more flexible digital experiences. The report also predicts that online consumer spending will continue its growth trajectory from 2026 to 2030, with an average annual rate of about 7%. This means it could hit approximately $82.6 billion by 2030, reflecting a growing shift towards digital commerce as a major part of the region's buying and selling ecosystem.

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