The study highlights the transformative impact of 5G investments in driving digital innovation and supporting economic growth across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
New research from Nokia reveals that by 2030, 82% of connections will be made on 4G/5G networks, reflecting the shift towards data-centric usage and greater smartphone accessibility. 5G is also an enabler of IoT, smart cities, and enterprise solutions. Its adoption is accelerating thanks to strong operator investments and government-led digital transformation initiatives, positioning it as a key driver of future connectivity. By 2030, 5G subscriptions in the MEA region are projected to reach 605 million, with 53% of total data traffic expected to be powered by 5G. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), 91% of subscriptions are expected to be 5G, the highest figure in the MEA region.
5G fixed wireless access (FWA) is experiencing rapid growth, with its market share projected to increase from 15% in 2023 to 35% in 2030, indicating a significant shift in the industry toward advanced fixed wireless solutions. This momentum is largely driven by the increasing maturity of 5G networks across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, which provide the necessary infrastructure to deliver high-speed broadband to homes and businesses without the need for traditional wired connections. Adopting 5G FWA offers advantages such as faster deployment and often lower infrastructure costs compared to fiber, making it an increasingly attractive and viable option for expanding internet access and improving connectivity in the region.
“Operators in the MEA region are making significant investments in 5G technology, which will drive the development of IoT, smart cities, and enterprise solutions. These advancements are expected to fuel transformative use cases, such as autonomous transportation, smart agriculture, and advanced healthcare services based on real-time data analytics. Furthermore, the integration of 5G with edge computing and AI will open up new opportunities for industries to optimize their operations, improve productivity, and deliver innovative customer experiences ,” said Mikko Lavanti, Senior Vice President of Mobile Networks for Nokia in the MEA region.
