Report

The Middle East and Africa gaming console market reached approximately USD 1.43 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.40% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of around USD 2.42 Billion by 2034.

Middle East and Africa Gaming Console Market Growth

Thegaming console marketis being positively shaped due to rapid technological innovation and progress, the rise of a tech-literate middle class, increasing internet penetration, and concerted efforts to lower the cost and make gaming consoles more accessible in the region.

Moreover, the Middle East region is transforming into a gaming and e-sports hub, with an active base of gamers supported by the government's efforts to promote tourism. As per the Middle East and Africa gaming console market analysis, Africa will likely become one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, providing lots of business and employment opportunities for the continent's increasing young population. For instance, True Gamers Lounge has been set up in Jeddah to provide a dynamic experience and attract other market players. It is also fueled by the trend of mobile gamers transitioning to console gaming for a more robust experience. The company has also established partnerships with industry leaders like Logitech and BenQ to cater to the Saudi market, in order to provide latest technology for an unparalleled gaming experience.

Also, prominent players strive to encourage local game developers and integrate cultural influences within consoles to provide personalised gameplay. For instance, Microsoft, in June 2024, announced the launch of second Xbox Game Camp in the African continent on the 16th-17th of July to harness the burgeoning popularity of gaming console. Additionally, rapid adoption of advanced technologies by gamers such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud gaming, and augmented reality (AR), among others, also indicates a favorable outlook for expanding the market.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Increasing popularity of handheld devices, preference for online cloud games, and rising e-sports culture are the key trends increasing the Middle East and Africa gaming console market value.

September 2024

Sony, a leading gaming console brand, launched its new PS5 Pro console globally, including in the Middle East and Africa region. The new console came with improved features when compared to its predecessor PS5. For instance, it featured a GPU with 67% more compute units and 28% faster RAM than the base PS5. Besides, it was integrated with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), which enabled AI upscaling to provide higher and clearer picture quality.

June 2024

Microsoft, one of the largest distributors of gaming consoles in Africa launched a new all-digital version of its Xbox Series X and S consoles at its annual Xbox Games Showcase. As part of the series, Microsoft showed off three gaming consoles including a disc-less version of the Xbox Series X and S consoles and a special edition of the Series X with 2 terabytes of storage. Besides, they came with integrated games, a few of which included, "Doom: The Dark Ages" and "Gears of War".

April 2024

MSI, a well-known gaming console brand globally, announced the launch of its first PC gaming handheld console, the MSI Claw, in the Middle East. As a Windows-based handheld device designed to play PC games, it featured a 7" 1080p 120Hz display, off-set joystick controller, HyperFlow cooling system, WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, and a high capacity 53Wh battery for longer playtime.

January 2024

Global gaming console industry leader, Sony, invested a significant amount in African video gaming startup company Carry1st based in Cape Town, South Africa. The funds were granted by the Sony Innovation Fund venture. The investment is expected to bring a range of commercial opportunities for Sony such as the expansion of PlayStation's footprint in Africa.

Rising Disposable Income Creating New Gaming Console Demand in Middle East and Africa

The US Energy Administration forecasted a 1% growth in per capita disposable income in the entire Middle East and Africa region between 2022 and 2050, with the former accounting for 0.8% of the total growth and the latter accounting for 1.3%. This is expected to fuel the demand for high-end, and luxurious entertainment products such as gaming consoles, especially preferred by the tech-savvy youth population in Gulf countries such as UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Increasing Popularity of Handheld Devices Propelling the Growth of Middle East and Africa Gaming Console Market

Handheld console devices are the highest-selling segment of the gaming console market in the region, owing to their flexibility and convenience of use. They are mostly available in lightweight and compact design, which makes them easy to carry to different places and play games while travelling or in outdoor settings. Moreover, they can easily be attached to small devices such as smartphones and tablets without the need for any extensive hardware installation. To meet their growing demand, key market players are launching their best handheld console products in the region. For instance, Asus announced the launch of the ROG Ally, a fully-fledged Windows 11 gaming handheld console device in UAE in June 2023.

Preference for Online Cloud Games Creating New Middle East and Africa Gaming Console Market Opportunities

According to the World Bank, internet penetration in the region grew by 2% between 2022 and 2023, indicating internet use by 78% of the population by the end of this period. This is creating new market opportunities for consoles that support cloud-based online games. Additionally, they are being preferred over traditional consoles as they are cost-effective and do not require a huge hardware installation for their operations.

Rising E-Sports Culture Leading to Gaming Console Demand Growth

The rising e-sports culture in the Middle East and Africa is providing a major boost to the gaming console market as professionals and casual gamers who participate in these events require high-end, efficient consoles with large storage capacity for smooth operations. One of the largest competitive gaming events held in the region is the annual "Dubai Esports and Games Festival" which attracted more than 26,000 visitors and 75,000 gaming enthusiasts from across the world. This year, the festival is expected to witness a further rise in these numbers, leading to increased sales of gaming consoles in the far and wide Middle East.

Middle East and Africa Console Industry Segmentation

"Middle East and Africa Gaming Console Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034" offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

- Home Consoles
- Handheld Consoles
- Hybrid Consoles
- Dedicated Consoles
- Others

Market Breakup by Platform

- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Wii
- Others

Market Breakup by End Use

- Personal
- Commercial

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

- Online
- Offline

Market Breakup by Country

- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Others

Middle East and Africa Gaming Console Market Share

Based on country, the market is segmented into Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, and South Africa. Saudi Arabia holds the largest market share in the region owing to the increasing number of initiatives by the government and a rising number of active gamers including females. For instance, Vision 2030 aims to transform Saudi Arabia into the go-to gaming destination for gamers all around the globe. By 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to have 3000 gaming jobs, 250 gaming firms and studios operating within its borders, and rank among the top three countries in the world for professional gamers and release a "AAA" blockbuster game. Additionally, Riyadh will host the e-sports World Cup from 4th July to 5th August 2024 in a bid to attract investors and propel the growth of the gaming industry.

Competitive Landscape

The market players are continuously developing new technologies to create an immersive and thrilling user experience.

- Sony Corporation
- Microsoft Corporation
- Nintendo Co., Ltd.
- Logitech International SA
- Atari Inc.
- Meta Platforms Technologies, Inc.
- Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
- Valve Corporation
- HTC Corporation
- ASUSTEK Computer Inc.
- Others