Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's gaming market, valued at over $480 million in 2023, is on track to grow to an estimated $755 million by 2030, according to recent research by MarkNtel Advisors.
Its UAE Gaming Market Research Report predicts a compound annual growth rate of around 6.16% in the market during the forecast period from 2025 to 2030.
The report highlighted several key factors that play a pivotal role in driving this growth including the increasing popularity of smartphones, and high-speed internet availability across the country allowing users to seamlessly access gaming content and enjoy uninterrupted gaming experiences.
Major telecom providers such as Etisalat and 3W Networks have rolled out high-speed, cost-effective internet packages, which have significantly improved internet accessibility for UAE residents. As a result, more consumers can easily download and play games across various platforms including PCs, laptops and mobile devices, the report noted.
"Developers have also been continually enhancing the gaming experience through code advancements, capitalising on the onset of high bandwidth network connectivity. The high-speed internet connectivity also allows consumers to access multiplayer gaming solutions, which has substantially contributed to enhancing the overall consumer experience."
The report added that the lockdown period during the COVID-19 pandemic offered a major boost for the industry's growth, driving a dramatic uptick in the consumption of online games.
This resulted in the expansion of the overall consumer base for this market, ultimately attracting significant funding and investment, it stated.
Another crucial driver behind the UAE's gaming market growth is vital government support, in line with the UAE Vision 2025 to boost the gaming industry as a key contributor to its economy, said the report.
The UAE government has established dedicated gaming hubs, such as the Dubai Studio City, in addition to introducing policies designed to attract game developers and investors.
In 2024, gaming lounge operator True Gamers unveiled plans to build an "Esports Island" in Abu Dhabi, to be worth $1 billion once completed.
The report predicts that increasing government investment in boosting 5G infrastructure in the UAE will offer "lucrative" growth opportunities in the gaming market.
In 2023, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) of the UAE announced the completion of the second phase of its "5G-Advanced" trials project, promising speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
The report pointed out that these types of investments in 5G internet services minimise latency and offer uninterrupted, high-quality gaming experiences, while also enabling users to download large games without concerns about buffering and download speed.
