IT spending in the MENA region will grow 5.2% this year

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have witnessed a remarkable surge in Information Technology (IT) spending in recent years with, for example, governments and businesses embracing technology’s transformative power to drive growth and innovation. According to Gartner, IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is forecast to total 193.7 billion USD in 2024, an increase of 5.2% from 2023.

Digital transformation initiatives spearheaded by governments are reshaping the IT landscape, fostering investments in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT. The MENA region’s e-commerce sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by changing consumer behaviours and improved digital infrastructure. However, cybersecurity remains a pressing concern, with organizations striving to fortify their defenses against evolving threats. Regulatory complexities and infrastructure gaps pose challenges to IT spending, hindering innovation and market entry. Nonetheless, the MENA region presents abundant opportunities for IT investment, driven by the adoption of emerging technologies, digital infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships. By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, the MENA region can chart a course towards sustainable growth and leadership in the digital economy.

“CIOs in the MENA region are expected to increase their spending on cloud services. While AI/GenAI has some influence on cloud services spending, it is not expected to have an immediate and significant impact on IT spending levels in MENA in 2024,” said Eyad Tachwali, Senior Director Advisory at Gartner. “Regional CIOs’ focus today is primarily on everyday lower cost use cases, rather than on costly game-changing AI.”