The Mobile Economy
Middle East & North Africa 2020

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The mobile industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has largely risen to the challenge of sustaining social and economic activities in the region during the pandemic, despite the unprecedented growth in data traffic. By the end of 2020, nearly 280 million people in the region (45% of the population) will be connected to mobile internet. However, Covid-19 has highlighted the impact of the digital divide for the nearly 350 million people in the region still unable to connect to mobile internet. With digital connectivity expected to play an even more central role in society post Covid-19, it is more important now than ever before to address the barriers to mobile internet adoption and usage in the region.

While Covid-19 appears to have slowed the deployment of 5G networks in non-GCC markets, the 5G leaders in the GCC Arab states have continued to invest in the technology, and 5G activities in non-GCC countries are expected to gather pace again from 2021. Effective management of spectrum is key to maximising this opportunity, and the pandemic has shown how mobile operators and policymakers can work together to improve mobile capacity and coverage by providing temporary access to much-needed spectrum, as demonstrated in countries such as Jordan, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Regional reports

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• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2023
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2022
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2021
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2020
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2019
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2018
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2017
• 
  The Mobile Economy
  2016