Xin Ou
Research expert covering Greater China
Online shopping behavior in the Middle East and North Africa - statistics & facts
The MENA region has seen significant growth in the e-commerce sector. With a young population and high levels of internet penetration, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council, the region offers huge potential. While it had a lower-than-average annual growth rate compared to worldwide rates before the COVID-19 pandemic , digital savviness is expected to drive e-commerce activities in the future. Moreover, the acquisition of Souq.com by Amazon in 2017, the emergence of new platforms such as Noon, and the growth of mobile wallets, have played a pivotal role in changing perceptions of e-commerce within this region.
