Country Reports·Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Xsolla
The MENA-3 gaming market (KSA, UAE, Egypt) generated $2 billion in player spending in 2024 and is projected to grow to over $2.7 billion by 2028.
Payment infrastructure is a major barrier, as 67% of the regional population lacks access to traditional credit or debit cards, necessitating the integration of local payment networks like Mada in Saudi Arabia and Fawry in Egypt.
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) web shops are essential for bypassing 30% app store fees, with 53% of paying gamers in the region already utilizing official game websites for purchases.
The region exhibits extreme economic disparity, ranging from the UAE’s high ARPU of $84.60 to Egypt’s high-volume, low-ARPU market where credit card penetration is only 2.8%.
Successful market entry requires a localized strategy that includes high-quality Arabic content and the adoption of flexible payment solutions to reach the broader market of nearly 400 million Arabic speakers.
The MENA-3 gaming market (KSA, UAE, Egypt) generated $2 billion in player spending in 2024 and is projected to grow to over $2.7 billion by 2028.
Payment infrastructure is a major barrier, as 67% of the regional population lacks access to traditional credit or debit cards, necessitating the integration of local payment networks like Mada in Saudi Arabia and Fawry in Egypt.
Direct-to-consumer (D2C) web shops are essential for bypassing 30% app store fees, with 53% of paying gamers in the region already utilizing official game websites for purchases.
The region exhibits extreme economic disparity, ranging from the UAE’s high ARPU of $84.60 to Egypt’s high-volume, low-ARPU market where credit card penetration is only 2.8%.
Successful market entry requires a localized strategy that includes high-quality Arabic content and the adoption of flexible payment solutions to reach the broader market of nearly 400 million Arabic speakers.