Mobile’s impact on the SDGs in the Middle East and North Africa

The increasing migration to mobile broadband services is supporting the mobile industry’s contribution to the SDGs. 4G now accounts for almost half of total mobile connections in the region. Meanwhile, the transition to 5G is gaining traction, led by the GCC member states. Improvements in network quality are paving the way for users to access a broader range of services. Mobile operators are active in providing new services in areas such as healthcare, education and fintech.

Mobile operators are also playing an increasingly prominent role in the rapidly expanding IoT ecosystem in MENA. IoT applications are often focused on smart city solutions, as governments aim to improve the quality of urban living and the environmental impact of cities. This is supporting the industry’s contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action. Further, deployments in smart utilities are starting to build traction, driven by smart meter installations, which should boost mobile’s contribution to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy in the run-up to 2030.