Middle East & Africa Biometric System Market Outlook, 2028

The Middle East & Africa region has been witnessing significant growth in the adoption of biometric systems across various sectors due to increasing security concerns, technological advancements, and government initiatives aimed at enhancing identity verification and security measures. Biometric systems use unique physiological and behavioural traits such as fingerprints, facial features, iris patterns, voice, and more for authentication and identification purposes. Many countries in the Middle East & Africa have been investing in biometric systems as part of their national security and identity management strategies. These systems are used for border control, national ID programs, and criminal identification. Biometric systems provide a diverse response in this area where quick technological progress meets complex security challenges. Their crucial involvement in government initiatives intended to strengthen identity management and national security is one of their most conspicuous features. These systems have developed into crucial tools for boosting border security and avoiding identity fraud, helping to stabilize the area as several nations deploy biometric-based national ID schemes and border control measures. Furthermore, the diverse economic structures of the Middle East and Africa have sparked new uses for biometric technology. Biometric technologies are breaking new ground in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail. These technologies are redefining secure financial transactions by allowing users to log onto their accounts and make digital payments using their fingerprints or faces. Biometric solutions in the healthcare industry enable precise patient identification and efficient record administration, consequently lowering medical errors and providing individualized care. Additionally, biometric technology is enhancing employee attendance tracking and boosting customer engagement through loyalty programs in the retail and hotel industries. The region's growing aviation and transportation industries are also utilizing biometrics to improve security and streamline procedures. Major airports have used biometric technology for passenger authentication, which has streamlined the boarding procedure and improved the overall airport experience while also bolstering security measures. This strategy displays the region's focus on guaranteeing safe and convenient travel while also highlighting its commitment to technological innovation.

According to the research report, “Middle East & Africa Biometric System Market Outlook, 2028” published by Bonafide Research, the market is expected to reach market size of more than USD 4.5 Billion by 2028. The idea of "smart cities" is spreading throughout the region, which has prompted the incorporation of biometric systems for numerous purposes related to urban security. To increase overall safety and effectiveness in urban areas, biometrics is being employed in traffic management, surveillance, and access control for public facilities. The Middle East's major airports were early adopters of biometric technologies to speed up passenger procedures. For check-in, security screenings, and boarding, biometric authentication is being used to provide travellers with a seamless and secure travel experience. In certain circumstances, countries in the MEA have adopted technology more quickly than other areas, moving straight from an inadequate technological infrastructure to cutting-edge solutions. This has created a special climate where advanced technologies, like biometrics, can have a significant impact on many different industries. Healthcare services and financial inclusion have been made possible in places with little access to conventional banking and healthcare infrastructure thanks to the use of biometric technology. People can now receive services and benefits that they might not otherwise have access to thanks to biometric identification. The MEA region's educational institutions are implementing biometric technologies for student identification, access control to campus facilities, and attendance monitoring. This improves productivity and security in educational settings. For safe access to customer accounts and services, telecom businesses in the MEA region may use biometric authentication, lowering the possibility of unwanted access.

Based on countries, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arbia and South Africa are the key countries in Middle East & Africa biometric market. Saudi Arabia is leading the market in MEA region. One of the Middle East's fastest-growing markets for biometric systems is Saudi Arabia. The country's biometric systems sector is primarily driven by the rising need for authentication and verification as well as by government regulations and programs that mandate the use of biometric technologies. Additionally, physical verification of individuals across numerous verticals, including extensive use of biometric devices, is being driven by the growing emphasis on creating a more secure environment, minimizing human errors in time and attendance, and maintaining a biometric database for every expatriate and immigrant. Over time, it's anticipated that demand for biometric devices in the nation will rise due to the growing use of multi-modal biometric systems and the adoption of new technologies. The ambitious "Absher" platform, created by the kingdom, streamlines government services and transactions by using biometric verification techniques, including facial recognition and fingerprint scanning. This technology streamlines communications between people, residents, and governmental organizations while also enhancing security. Strong border security is essential given Saudi Arabia's strategic position at the intersection of two continents. The use of biometric technology has become essential for managing immigration and protecting national security. Furthermore, South Africa is growing at significant pace. The biometric system market in South Africa is defined by a patchwork of identity solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with a wide range of demographics. The South African Smart ID Card, which combines biometric information from fingerprints and facial features to create a secure and versatile identification for people, represents a turning point in the history of the nation. The objective of financial inclusion in South Africa is changing thanks to biometric systems. People who were previously underserved are now able to access banking services, complete transactions, and engage in the formal economy because of biometric authentication, specifically fingerprint recognition. The democratic systems in South Africa have embraced biometric innovation.

Based on technology market includes, fingerprint recognition, face recognition, hand geometry, voice recognition, iris recognition/ retina recognition, signature recognition, vein recognition, others (keystroke dynamics, gait recognition, earlobe geometry & DNA biometrics). Among them voice recognition technology is expected to grow at fastest rate in the market of Middle East & Africa.

Language diversity can be found throughout the Middle East and Africa, where many different languages and dialects are spoken. Voice recognition technology is modified to handle a broad variety of languages, making it an appealing option for MEA countries where linguistic diversity can present difficulties for other biometric modalities. In several industries, including finance, government, healthcare, and telecommunications, the Middle East and Africa are experiencing a surge in the adoption of digital services. Voice recognition technology offers a simple and practical way to use these services remotely, improving the user experience while protecting security. The MEA region has a high rate of mobile phone adoption, with smartphones serving as the main platform for engagement and communication. Voice recognition technology can be incorporated into mobile software and hardware, allowing for secure authentication for a variety of applications. The need for effective and secure identity verification solutions is being driven by the rapid economic growth and urbanization in various MEA nations. Voice recognition fits in with these countries' ambitions for digital transformation. Based on component market is segmented into hardware, software and services. Software component is expected to grow at the fastest rate in Middle East & Africa biometric system market. Advanced biometric algorithms and approaches are being developed and innovated as a result of software. Software components are essential in improving the precision, speed, and dependability of biometric identification and verification systems as biometric research and development continue to advance. The flexibility required to integrate biometric technology into a range of already-existing systems and platforms is provided by software solutions. This versatility is crucial given the varied terrain of the MEA area, where various sectors and industries have various infrastructure requirements and requirements for authentication.



Based on functionality, market is segmented into contact-based, contact-less and hybrid. Contact based segment is expected to lead the market of Middle East and Africa.

An infrastructure that enables contact-based authentication techniques already exists in several industries throughout the MEA area. An easy integration of biometric technologies into various settings is made possible by the prevalence of fingerprint scanners, for instance, at border checkpoints, government buildings, and financial institutions. Known for their high levels of security and accuracy, contact-based biometric techniques Contact-based biometric systems offer a dependable and tested answer for industries including law enforcement, national security, and financial services where strict authentication is required. Contact-based approaches are typically more inclusive and successful for people with particular physical conditions, such as the elderly or people with impairments. These techniques can authenticate users accurately without the need for difficult interactions. Based on authentication market is divided into single-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication segment is leading the market of Middle East & Africa. The necessity for safe authentication techniques has been brought to light by the expansion of remote work and digital services throughout the MEA area. When employees or users access resources from numerous places, MFA offers an extra layer of security to secure sensitive data and online platforms, services, and platforms. MFA offers a safe way to authenticate online transactions, lowering the risk of payment fraud and boosting customer confidence in online shopping platforms as e-commerce continues to take off in the MEA region. Furthermore, based on mobility market is divided into fixed and portable. Mobile devices and smartphones have been rapidly adopted throughout the MEA region. These tools can be used by portable biometric systems to offer convenient and secure authentication, allowing users to use services and conduct transactions while on the go. The digital transformation is being embraced by several nations in the MEA area to improve public services, streamline procedures, and promote economic growth. By offering secure authentication for digital interactions, mobile banking, and e-government services, portable biometric technologies can be important in this shift.

Based on end-user market is bifurcated into banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), government, military & defense, consumer electronics, healthcare, commercial safety and security, transport/visa/logistics, automotive, and others (education, retail & E-commerce, hospitality, industrial and manufacturing, prisons and correctional facilities, non-profit organizations, etc.)

Banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) is one of the major consumers of biometric system in Middle East & Africa biometric market. A number of factors that highlight the industry's strong emphasis on security, regulatory compliance, and the rising demand for seamless and convenient customer experiences have led to banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) emerging as significant consumers of biometric systems in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Establishing strong authentication mechanisms is essential given that the BFSI sector handles sensitive financial transactions, personal data, and confidential information. By using distinctive physiological or behavioural traits for identification verification, biometric systems provide an unmatched level of security. Biometric solutions offer a pro-active protection against unauthorized access and fraudulent behavior in a location where cybersecurity threats and identity fraud are major concerns. Furthermore, MEA's regulatory environment emphasizes the necessity of strict identity verification and data protection procedures. BFSI institutions must guarantee the correctness and integrity of customer identities in order to comply with rules, including anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) standards. Biometric technologies provide a dependable way to confirm consumer identities and uphold compliance while smoothly complying with these rules.

Key Players Insights:

M2SYS Technology, Assa Abloy AB, BIO-key International, Cognitec Systems GmbH, Daon, Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Suprema Inc., Thales Group, Idemia, Dermalog Identification Systems Gmbh and NEC Corporation.

Considered in this report:

• Geography: Middle East & Africa
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:

• Middle East & Africa Biometric System with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise Biometric System market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

By Technology:

• Fingerprint Recognition
• Face Recognition
• Hand Geometry
• Voice Recognition
• Iris recognition/ Retina Recognition
• Signature Recognition
• Vein Recognition
• Others (Keystroke Dynamics, Gait Recognition, Earlobe Geometry & DNA Biometrics)

By Component:

• Hardware
• Software
• Services

By Functionality:

• Contact-Based
• Contact-less
• Hybrid

By Authentication Type:

• Single-Factor Authentication
• Multi-Factor Authentication

By Mobility:

• Fixed
• Portable

By End-User:

• Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)
• Government
• Military & Defense
• Consumer Electronics
• Healthcare
• Commercial Safety and Security
• Transport/Visa/Logistics
• Automotive
• Others (education, retail & E-commerce, hospitality, industrial and manufacturing, prisons and correctional facilities, non-profit organizations, etc.)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations and organizations related to the Biometric System industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.