Mobile commerce is witnessing unprecedented growth in the Middle East & North Africa region. Online shopping in the Middle East is rapidly evolving and has grown by 1500% over the last decade. With a dynamic young population and with one of the highest global per capita internet penetration levels the online spending potential is quickly emerging as one of the highest in the world.
The Rise, Evolution And Future Of Branded Mobile Application Marketing In MENA
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Egypt are leading the pack when it comes to online purchases in the region, the two largest population centers in the Arab world. In the KSA, more than two-thirds of online shoppers were buying products on their smartphones in 2014. Egypt continues to advance in internet usage and social media to find and purchase products online.
Close behind these two countries is the UAE. This country has the highest internet and mobile phone penetration rate and is home to large online retailers such as Souq.com
The reasons behind this type of growth are higher online penetration levels, an increase in smartphone ownership by residents and changing trends in online payments. Additionally, high-quality Wi-Fi is now available in more areas and the large expatriate communities are buying their favorite international items online. the Middle East and Africa is a scattered continent of countries that boasts over 606 million mobile phone users, a figure expected to surpass 789 million by 2019.
We can’t talk about mobile commerce without mentioning Mostawda.com. It’s a brand new online platform that focuses on the MENA region. Mostawda is a regional online marketplace where people from the Middle East come together to sell unique handmade, vintage goods, arts, and crafts. Want to know the best part? Shipping is FREE!
With many online websites that enable us to shop easily, the future of mobile commerce in the Middle East is bright. The number of people shopping online in MENA region is getting higher with the trustable websites. You have any experience with online shopping? Tell us in a comment below.