Middle East & Africa Wearable Technology Market Outlook, 2028

The Middle East and Africa wearable technology market is a fast-expanding and promising industry, distinguished by the widespread use of innovative and sophisticated wearable gadgets in recent years. This area, which encompasses a varied spectrum of countries with varying levels of economic development, is seeing an increase in interest in wearables across a variety of sectors. The growing awareness of health and fitness is one of the primary drivers of the Middle East & Africa wearable technology industry, resulting in a surge in demand for fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other health-related wearables. Consumers' rising interest in their own well-being and fitness has pushed them to embrace wearable gadgets that can track their physical activity, heart rate, sleep habits, and other parameters. This trend is especially noticeable in cities and among the younger demographic. Smartwatches and other wearable electronics, in addition to health and fitness wearables, are gaining popularity in the Middle East & Africa region due to their utility and style. Consumers in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are increasingly interested in wearable devices that include not just health tracking capabilities but also productivity-enhancing features such as notification alerts, smartphone integration, and even mobile payments. Wearable technology is making inroads into a variety of areas, with a strong presence in healthcare and business. Medical personnel are increasingly relying on wearables in healthcare for patient monitoring, telemedicine, and data collection. Not only does this improve patient care, but it also streamlines healthcare operations. While wearable technology is becoming more popular, price remains an important consideration in the Middle East & Africa region. The difficulty is making these gadgets available to a larger audience, particularly in less economically developed places. In order to solve this issue and foster broader acceptance, brands are attempting to provide more economical choices. Wearables developed to aid users with Islamic practices are becoming increasingly popular in mostly Muslim nations throughout the Middle East & Africa. These wearables can display prayer times, Qibla directions, and even Quranic recitations, making them appealing to a large portion of the population.

According to the research report, “Middle East & Africa Wearable Technology Market Outlook, 2028” published by Bonafide Research, the Middle East & Africa Wearable Technology market is expected to reach market size of more than USD 6 Billion by 2028. Wearables are rapidly incorporating mobile payment technology such as NFC (Near Field Communication). Contactless payments are becoming more accessible and convenient as a result of this trend, particularly in urban regions where cashless transactions are becoming the norm. Consumers who are fashion-conscious are driving the creation of wearables that effortlessly combine technology and style. Companies are cooperating with fashion brands to develop wearable technologies that are both practical and fashionable. Wearable’s capabilities are being enhanced by the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. This includes more precise health monitoring, improved voice recognition, and predictive analytics, all of which make wearables smarter and more valuable to users. Regarding the ageing populations of many Middle East & African countries, there is an increasing need for wearables that cater to the elderly. In the direction to protect the well-being and safety of elders, these gadgets offer fall detection, heart rate monitoring, prescription reminders, and location tracking. Outdoor adventure activities are growing in popularity due to the region's diverse environments, which include deserts, mountains, and coasts. Wearables for hiking, trekking, and other outdoor activities are becoming more complex, with functions like GPS navigation, weather tracking, and emergency signalling. The term "smart textiles" refers to clothing that contains sensors and electronics. These gadgets can detect body temperature, provide haptic feedback, and even change colour or pattern depending on the environment.

Based on report market is categorised into three major countries United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Saudi Arabia is expected to lead the market of Middle East & Africa during the forecast period.

Saudi Arabian society's norms and traditions have a significant impact on the wearable technology sector. People in the Kingdom are young and tech-savvy, with an average age of around 31. This is a young generation that is eager to embrace wearables and other new technological developments. Nonetheless, religious and cultural conventions impact consumer tastes. Wearables that may readily incorporate Islamic practices, such as Ramadan fasting schedules or prayer time reminders, are in high demand. The emphasis on wellness and health has recently increased in Saudi Arabia. Government efforts are encouraging a healthy lifestyle, and people's awareness of their fitness and overall well-being is expanding. Wearable technologies, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, Smartwatches cater to this trend by offering features like step counting, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. These applications are motivated by the country's strong emphasis on modernization and technological advancements. E-commerce is rapidly expanding in the Kingdom, with sites such as Noon, Souq (now Amazon.sa), and others becoming increasingly popular. Tech-savvy Saudis may now easily explore and purchase wearables thanks to these online marketplaces, which make it simple for consumers to get wearables. Furthermore, traditional retail businesses provide a variety of wearable technology products, giving clients more purchasing options. Saudi Arabia's commitment to digital transformation is encouraging the creation of a wearable, technology-friendly, linked ecosystem.

In terms of product market is divided into wristwear, eyewear and headwear, footwear, fashion and jewelry, bodywear and other wearable technology. Eyewear and Headwear product is predicted to grow at fastest rate in Middle East & Africa wearable technology market.



Eyewear and headwear products, such as smart glasses and smart headsets, are becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East & Africa region because they combine technology with fashion and style. Consumers in this region are fashion-conscious, and these wearables are meant to be aesthetically pleasing, making them more appealing to a wide spectrum of users. The combination of technology and style is a crucial motivator for adoption. The Middle East & Africa region is recognised for its ample sunlight and numerous outdoor activities. Smart glasses and helmets, which frequently include augmented reality (AR) displays or integrated cameras, are ideal for outdoor adventures, sports, and activities such as cycling, hiking, and motorcycling. These wearables improve the outdoor experience by providing real-time information, navigation, and even safety features. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are becoming more prevalent in the Middle East & Africa region, and eyewear, particularly smart glasses, is playing an important role in this context. AR glasses are employed in a variety of applications, including education, gaming, training, and even remote support, all of which are expanding markets in the region. Smart glasses are being used in healthcare for telemedicine, remote diagnosis, and surgery. In an area with different healthcare concerns and an increasing demand for telehealth solutions, their ability to provide real-time information and distant cooperation is critical.

Based on type market is segmented into wearable smart textiles and wearable product and devices (non-textiles). Wearable smart textile type is expected to register highest growth rate in Middle East & Africa wearable technology market. Furthermore based on application market is divided into consumer electronics, healthcare, enterprise and industrial applications and other applications (fashion and lifestyle, gaming and entertainment, military and defense, education and training, tourism and navigation, pet and animal health, etc.).

Smart textiles are designed to seamlessly incorporate technology into fabric, making them comfortable and non-intrusive to wear. This is especially important in the Middle East & Africa region, where hot and arid temperatures can make wearing typical wearable electronics uncomfortable. Smart textiles have a wide range of applications in health and wellness, which is an increasing concern in the Middle East and Africa region. These textiles can identify medical problems, monitor vital signs, and track physical activity while being worn as conventional clothing. This appeal especially to health-conscious customers and healthcare practitioners. Smart textiles are increasingly being employed in sportswear as the Middle East & Africa region's interest in outdoor sports and activities grows. These materials can provide performance data, monitor hydration, and even defend against weather conditions, making them highly desirable for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Healthcare application is growing at rapid pace in Middle East & Africa wearable technology market. In the Middle East & Africa region, there is a growing awareness of health and wellness. Consumers are turning to wearables to monitor their physical activity, vital signs, and overall well-being as they strive to live a healthy lifestyle. Concerns about lifestyle-related diseases and a desire to control one's health proactively are driving this trend. Wearables are used to track maternal health during pregnancy and childbirth, ensuring the safety of both moms and babies. These wearables can monitor foetal health and maternal vital signs, as well as provide early warning indications of difficulties. In the Middle East & Africa region, preventive healthcare is becoming a main priority. Wearables enable individuals to make informed lifestyle decisions by tracking physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and other health factors.

Companies Covered in this report:

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Apple Inc., Garmin Ltd., Sony Group Corporation, Xiaomi Corporation, HTC Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd, Google LLC, Toray Industries, Inc., Seiko Epson Corporation, Vuzix 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 Wearable Technology market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise Wearable Technology market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Country covered in the report:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

By Product:

• Wristwear
• Eyewear & Headwear
• Footwear
• Fashion & Jewelry
• Bodywear
• Other Wearable Technology (Wearable Camera)

By Type:

• Wearable Smart Textiles
• Wearable Products and Devices (Non-Textiles)

By Application:

• Consumer Electronics
• Healthcare
• Enterprise and Industrial Applications
• Other Applications (fashion and lifestyle, gaming and entertainment, military and defense, education and training, tourism and navigation, pet and animal health, 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 organisations related to the Wearable Technology 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.