Report Overview

A spurring demand for quality education and increasingly deepening penetration of smartphone and internet are expected to drive the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market during the forecast period between 2024 and 2030.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2030

The Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market size was estimated at USD 5.63 billion in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.93% reaching a value of USD 9.93 billion by 2030. A prominent driver of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) EdTech and Smart Classroom Market is the increasing prevalence of smartphones, interactive displays, and other digital learning tools in classrooms. Governments in the MEA region are strategically embracing smart education as a catalyst for economic development and prosperity, placing a significant emphasis on cultivating skilled professionals to fuel the burgeoning the MEA EdTech and Smart Classroom Market. Across the MEA region, governments consistently allocate approximately 20% of their national government expenditure to the education sector, a noteworthy commitment compared to average resource allocations. This commitment extends to supporting e-learning initiatives aimed at enhancing education delivery, with a focus on facilitating direct communication between students' parents and teachers. Also, more than 400 EdTech firms participating in the Global Educational Supplies and Solutions (GESS) Dubai conference are strategically positioning themselves to leverage the growing demand for digital learning. Within the MEA region, a vibrant start-up ecosystem is actively creating EdTech solutions infused with innovative technologies, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and blockchain. These innovations provide immersive teaching and learning experiences. The GESS Dubai event, with its substantial participation of 400 EdTech companies, serves as a clear indicator of the optimistic outlook for the education sector across the region.

EdTech and Smart Classrooms – Overview

Educational Technology (EdTech) involves the incorporation of digital tools, software, and diverse technologies into the educational framework to improve learning outcomes, simplify administrative tasks, and promote a more interactive and inclusive educational environment. It encompasses a range of elements, including learning management systems, online classrooms, AI-driven educational software, and virtual labs. Within EdTech, smart classrooms represent a specific category, constituting learning spaces equipped with advanced technological resources, such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, digital projectors, and high-speed internet. These classrooms aim to transcend traditional lecture-based teaching methods, fostering real-time collaboration and multimedia presentations to accommodate diverse learning styles more effectively.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market

Growth Drivers

Growing Use of Smartphones and Deeper Internet Penetration

Countries in the Middle East and Africa region are witnessing a transformative surge in EdTech, fueled by expanding smartphone and internet access. Innovations integrating AR, VR, AI, robotics, and blockchain are reshaping the educational landscape. GESS Dubai, a prominent education conference, is set to host over 400 local and international EdTech firms, spotlighting the sector's promise. With diverse presentations, including talks on virtual schooling and blockchain's impact, GESS Dubai underscores the region's commitment to advancing education through technology. Companies, such as ezrobot and Alef Education, highlight dynamic growth, emphasizing technology's pivotal role in achieving superior learning outcomes. GESS Dubai's free registration for educational professionals reflects the sector's escalating importance.

Challenges

Limited Access to Technology

Despite the overall growth, the Middle East and Africa region faces challenges due to limited technology access in certain countries. Unequal distribution of resources hinders the widespread adoption of EdTech solutions. This impediment affects the region EdTech and Small Classroom Market's potential reach and hampers efforts to provide inclusive, technology-driven education. Overcoming these access barriers is crucial for fostering equitable EdTech integration, ensuring that advancements benefit all students across Middle East and Africa. Addressing these disparities will be pivotal in unlocking the full transformative potential of technology in education across the MEA region.

Impact of COVID-19 on Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market

COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart. The pandemic took a toll on the economic and industrial growth of countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, and the UAE. Despite these challenges, the closure of educational institutions during the pandemic acted as a catalyst for the increased adoption of digital technology solutions in the education sector. UNICEF's data indicates that about 110 million children in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region had to stay home due to school closures prompted by the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, statistics from the online community MAGNiTT reveal a significant surge in funding for Middle East EdTech development, soaring from approximately USD 1.26 million before the pandemic to an impressive USD 20 million in 2019. This crisis played a pivotal role in fostering the growth of EdTech startups in the region. Notable names include Noon Academy, Zedny, Ashtar, Abwab, Almentor.Net, and PraxiLabs. These startups have been instrumental in providing impactful online classes during the COVID-19 crisis, contributing to the overall expansion of the EdTech and Smart Classroom market in the Middle East and Africa.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market

Segmental Coverage

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – By Deployment Type

Based on deployment type, the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market is bifurcated into On-premises and Cloud. The cloud segment holds a higher share in the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market by deployment type. Increasing prominence of cloud computing and its application across various industries. The cloud's appeal lies in its ability to expedite the advancement and integration of innovative technology solutions, providing superior user experience and heightened operational productivity. Cloud-based software solutions present education stakeholders with scalability, operational flexibility, and cost reduction. The dynamic evolution of cloud architectures, system algorithms, and the seamless integration of advanced features further propels their adoption in diverse sectors, including education. Organizations, irrespective of size, find cloud deployment enticing due to benefits such as pay-as-you-go pricing, regular data backup, robust security measures, low capital and operational costs, and instant provisioning for up-to-date functionality. Consequently, Middle East and Africa witnessed a surge in the adoption of cloud-based EdTech and smart classroom solutions driven by their high scalability, enhanced security, operational flexibility, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – By Hardware

On the basis of hardware, the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market is split into Interactive Displays and Interactive Projectors segments.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – By Education System

By education, the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market is divided into Learning Management System (LMS), Student Information System, Classroom Management System, Classroom Assessment System, and Learning and Gamification segments. The LMS holds the highest share in the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market by education. It can be attributed to the increasing adoption of digital learning platforms, driving the demand for comprehensive solutions that streamline content delivery, assessment, and student engagement. LMS offers educators a centralized platform for organizing, delivering, and tracking educational content, fostering efficient and personalized learning experiences. The emphasis on enhancing educational outcomes and the integration of advanced features within LMS contribute to its widespread acceptance, making it a pivotal component in the region's educational technology landscape.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – By End User

Based on end user, the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market is bifurcated into K-12 and Higher Education segments. The K-12 segment holds a higher share in the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market by end user. It can be attributed to surge in student enrollment, necessitating innovative educational approaches to address diverse learning requirements. Embracing the digital transformation, the MEA region actively incorporates technology in K-12 classrooms, incorporating e-learning platforms, interactive tools, and digital content. This shift reflects a growing adoption of educational technology (EdTech) solutions, presenting avenues for personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and remote learning. The integration of these digital tools aligns with the dynamic changes in the educational landscape, meeting the evolving needs of students across the Middle East and Africa region.

Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market – By Country

The in-depth research report on the Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market covers the market in the region’s major countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, and Rest of Middle East & Africa. Egypt emerged as the leading market contributor. With a substantial population, particularly a significant youth demographic, the country presents a lucrative market for EdTech firms, addressing educational needs across various levels, from K-12 to higher education. Egypt has actively embraced digital transformation in education, showcasing notable advancements in EdTech solution adoption. Attributed to governmental backing, a tech-savvy youth population, expanding digital connectivity, and a thriving startup ecosystem, Egypt holds its position as the Middle East's foremost EdTech market. The continued emphasis on digital transformation in education positions Egypt for ongoing growth and innovation in the EdTech sector.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in Middle East and Africa EdTech and Smart Classroom Market include Classera, Blackboard Inc., D2L Corporation, Noon Academy, Zedny, Almentor.Net, PraxiLabs, Apple Inc, and Smart Technologies. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In January 2023 - KITMEK unveiled the world's first interactive digital school at just USD 1 per month in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This innovative platform, built on a gaming foundation, features AI teachers and offers a global curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 5. KITMEK's multi-lingual and multisensory teaching approach, incorporating 3D models, enhances a child's learning experience. With over 800 exams and a unique reward system, the platform gamifies education, making it engaging and self-motivating.

Scope of the Report

By Deployment Type

• On-premises

• Cloud

By Hardware

• Interactive Displays

• Interactive Projectors

By Education System

• Learning Management System

• Student Information System

• Classroom Management System

• Classroom Assessment System

• Learning and Gamification

By End User

• K-12

• Higher Education

By Country

• Saudi Arabia

• UAE

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• Egypt

• South Africa

• Nigeria

• Algeria

• Rest of Middle East & Africa