MENA Governments Pursue Gaming Ambitions by 2030 Amid Challenges
Key takeaways
- Saudi Arabia's gaming strategy has over $38 billion in funding.
- Dubai's gaming program aims for 30,000 new jobs by 2033.
- The 2026 Esports World Cup was moved from Riyadh to Paris.
- Savvy Games aims to educate 700,000 Saudi students in game development.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, governments are prioritizing the gaming sector as part of their national ambitions aimed for 2030. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Morocco, and Egypt are among those aligning their gaming goals with this timeline, a strategy that originated from Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016. This vision seeks to diversify the economy beyond oil dependency, with gaming emerging as a key sector to support this shift.
Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched in September 2022, stands out as the most ambitious in the region, backed by over $38 billion from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Savvy Games Group. The strategy aims to create 39,000 sector jobs, establish 250 gaming companies, develop 30 globally recognized games, and contribute $13.3 billion to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030. Recent significant investments include EA's $55 billion acquisition led by PIF and Savvy's $6 billion purchase of Moonton, showcasing the Kingdom's financial commitment to its gaming ambitions.
In contrast, Dubai targets 2033 for its gaming goals, aiming to foster a local ecosystem that includes over 350 companies and the creation of 30,000 new jobs. The Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, launched in November 2023, emphasizes supporting local developers through initiatives like GameForward, which offers assistance in game design and monetization. While Dubai has focused on attracting international studios, there is a growing push towards developing homegrown intellectual property.
Despite the ambitious plans, challenges loom over the region's gaming aspirations. Saudi Arabia faces potential funding constraints due to investments tied up in megaprojects like NEOM, while geopolitical risks were highlighted by the relocation of the 2026 Esports World Cup from Riyadh to Paris amid regional instability. However, Saudi Arabia remains the only MENA country with a substantial capital-backed strategy for gaming by 2030, raising questions about its ability to build a sustainable domestic industry before the deadline.
Why it matters
As MENA governments race towards their 2030 gaming targets, the path forward is complex. The commitment to investment and the development of local talent will be crucial for these nations to realize their ambitions and establish a robust gaming ecosystem in the region.
Original source
PocketGamer.biz
