Egypt’s local smartphone market has been expanding of late and is now seeing double-digit growth in 2024, courtesy of favourable policies, such as tax breaks and infrastructure improvements, implemented by the government.
- Egypt is ranked among the top three smartphone markets in Africa, competing with Nigeria and South Africa
- The growth is fueled by favorable government policies, young population, rising Internet use, and demand for affordable smartphones
- Egypt is emerging as a key player in Africa’s electronics manufacturing, driven by government initiatives and strategic partnerships with global brands
Egypt is currently ranked among the top three smartphone markets in Africa, closely competing with Nigeria and South Africa, after capturing 12% of shipments in Africa, according to a recent report,
The report published by Canalys showed that Egypt’s market potential is driven by a young, tech-savvy population, rising Internet use, and demand for affordable smartphones.
Furthermore, economic reforms, strategic location and expanding digital infrastructure have also positioned Egypt as a key regional hub in North Africa.
Boosting domestic economic growth
Egypt is gradually emerging as a key player in Africa’s electronics manufacturing, driven by the EME (Egypt Manufactures Electronics) initiative. The growth in Egypt’s smartphone market is shaped and spurred by the government’s initiatives to boost digital transformation and expand 4G and 5G networks.
So far, Egypt has excelled at securing strategic partnerships with home appliances and TV manufacturers, including brands such as LG, Samsung, and Haier.
The North African country is now positioning itself to lead in smartphone manufacturing across the EMEA region by identifying partnerships with top OEMs to meet the rising demand from its population of over 104 million.
According to the report, local smartphone manufacturing has drawn substantial foreign investment from global brands in 2022 and 2023, positioning Egypt as a strategic production hub.
Several major smartphone brands have also established local manufacturing operations, reflecting their commitment to the market.
Samsung, the largest brand in Egypt, has set up its own factories, underscoring its long-term investment in the region. Xiaomi has taken a different approach by partnering with a local distributor for its manufacturing needs.
