MENA’s Gaming Boom: From Consumers to Creators of Global Content
Over the past decade, the global gaming industry has transformed from a niche pastime into a cultural and economic juggernaut. Nowhere is this transformation more visible—or more promising—than in the Middle East and North Africa.
Today, the MENA region is the world’s fastest-growing gaming market, projected to reach $11 billion by 2027. This is not just a story of increasing consumer demand—it’s a story of strategic vision, public investment, and regional ambition to become a global leader in both game development and esports.
A Young, Digital-First Population
What makes MENA unique is its demographic profile. With over 50% of the population under the age of 25 and some of the highest mobile and internet penetration rates globally, the GCC is not just consuming games—it’s shaping gaming culture. 87% of Generation Z, 83% of millennials, and 79% of Generation X actively engage in gaming across smartphones, gaming consoles, and computers. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE top the list of fastest-growing markets, both in user base and revenue.
The appetite for high-quality, culturally relevant content is enormous. But until recently, much of the region’s gaming spend went to foreign developers. That’s changing rapidly.
From Consumption to Creation
Governments across the region are shifting the narrative—from importing global games to building homegrown ecosystems.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has committed over $38 billion through Savvy Games Group to position the Kingdom as a global gaming hub. The UAE has launched accelerator programs for indie developers. Egypt is seeing a rise in gaming startups and digital content creators.
We're witnessing a policy-driven push to localize content, build regional publishing capabilities, and develop games that reflect MENA’s stories, languages, and values. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for both local entrepreneurs and global studios seeking strategic entry points.
Opportunities for Global and Regional Players
At Söderhub, we support Nordic and European gaming companies in entering the MENA region. What we see is clear: there is untapped potential in areas such as:
Arabic-first game development
Esports infrastructure and IP localization
Cross-border investment and co-development models
Talent development and gamedev education
For global studios, MENA represents more than a new revenue stream—it’s a sandbox for innovation, partnerships, and long-term growth.
The Challenges We Must Tackle
As with any emerging market, MENA's gaming ecosystem faces hurdles that must be addressed for long-term growth. One of the most pressing is the talent pipeline: while demand for game developers, designers, and producers is accelerating, local training programs and industry experience are still catching up. Additionally, regulatory frameworks vary significantly across countries, creating uncertainty for international studios looking to establish operations or monetize content. Infrastructure for payments, publishing, and IP protection is also uneven—factors that can slow down scale or complicate cross-border collaboration. Addressing these challenges will require sustained collaboration between governments, investors, studios, and educational institutions. The foundations are being laid, but turning potential into reality depends on how quickly these bottlenecks are removed.
Let’s Build—Together
MENA’s gaming sector is no longer in its infancy. It is standing up, taking bold steps, and asking the world not just to invest—but to partner.
We believe the next global game studio can emerge from Riyadh, Cairo, or Dubai. We believe regional content creators will shape global narratives in the metaverse, in esports arenas, and on every digital platform. But for that to happen, we must continue bridging the gap between global experience and local ambition.
At Söderhub, we’re proud to be part of this journey through Sakhrverse and our partnership with K–Tech Ventures. Would you like to explore co-development or localisation? Reach out.
The game has only just begun.