DUBAI: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are at the forefront of global 5G adoption, with Kuwait ranking first and the UAE second in the GSMA Intelligence 5G Index 2024, which evaluates 39 markets worldwide. Qatar placed fifth, while Saudi Arabia ranked 12th.

By 2030, 5G networks are projected to account for 50% of the 439 million mobile subscriptions expected in the MENA region, with 95% population coverage anticipated in the GCC. Saudi Arabia has already invested $25 billion in digital infrastructure, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

MENA telecom companies are set to invest $97 billion in 5G expansion by 2030, targeting revenues of $88 billion, up from $66 billion in 2023. This surge is fueled by a growing mobile user base, with 427 million mobile subscribers recorded by the end of 2023.

Saudi Arabia, where 5G already accounts for 32% of mobile data traffic, is seeing telecom giants ramp up their commitments. Zain Saudi Arabia recently announced a $425 million investment in 5G-Advanced technologies, reinforcing its commitment to next-generation connectivity.

In Qatar, the telecom sector is booming, reaching a market value of $13.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit $25 billion by 2028, backed by 5G-driven infrastructure upgrades.

While the GCC surges ahead, North Africa remains in the early stages of 5G deployment. Egypt took a major step in October 2024, when its National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) awarded 5G licenses to Orange, Vodafone, and e&, paving the way for widespread adoption.

Tunisia has moved faster, with Orange Tunisia, Ooredoo Tunisia, and Tunisie Telecom launching 5G services in early 2025, less than three months after securing licenses. Meanwhile, Libya is still assessing its 5G strategy.

Despite the slow rollout, 5G adoption in North Africa is projected to reach 41% by 2030, with Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) emerging as a key solution for delivering high-speed internet to underserved areas.