Mobile’s impact on the SDGs in Middle East and North Africa
The number of mobile internet users in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reached 330 million at the end of 2023, equivalent to a penetration rate of almost 50%.
The increasing migration to mobile broadband services is supporting the mobile industry’s contribution to the SDGs. 4G now accounts for over 60% of total mobile connections in the region. Meanwhile, the transition to 5G is gaining traction, led by the GCC member states. Improvements in network quality are paving the way for users to access a broader range of services. Mobile operators are active in providing new services in areas such as healthcare, education and fintech.
Mobile operators are also playing an increasingly prominent role in the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem in MENA. IoT applications are often focused on smart city solutions, as governments aim to improve the quality of urban living and the environmental impact of cities. This is supporting the industry’s contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action. Further, deployments in smart utilities are starting to build traction, driven by smart meter installations, which should boost mobile’s contribution to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy in the run-up to 2030.
SDG mobile impact scores, MENA
Source: GSMA Intelligence
Key drivers of SDG mobile impact scores
Mobile broadband coverage and penetration, MENA
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile broadband coverage (% of total population) | 450 million | 640 million | 77% | 96% |
| Mobile penetration (% of total population) | 310 million | 430 million | 52% | 64% |
| Mobile internet penetration (% of total population) | 170 million | 330 million | 30% | 49% |
Mobile usage by activity, MENA
Source: GSMA Intelligence
| Use cases | 2015 | 2023 | 2015 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watch videos | 160 million | 310 million | 53% | 72% |
| Use social media | 170 million | 310 million | 57% | 72% |
| Make video calls | 140 million | 290 million | 45% | 67% |
| Read news | 110 million | 260 million | 37% | 60% |
| Search for information | 100 million | 250 million | 33% | 49% |
| Access government services/ information | 50 million | 200 million | 17% | 47% |
| Access information to support training, learning or education | 55 million | 200 million | 18% | 47% |
| Access health services/ information | 40 million | 200 million | 13% | 47% |
| Buy goods or services | 65 million | 190 million | 21% | 43% |
| Access information to help with work or job | 55 million | 150 million | 19% | 34% |
| Manage or pay bills | 35 million | 140 million | 12% | 33% |
| Use mobile financial services | 30 million | 120 million | 10% | 27% |
| Use agricultural services | 20 million | 55 million | 7% | 13% |