Report Overview

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2030

The Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market size was estimated at USD 67.51 billion in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.93% reaching a value of USD 107.89 billion by 2030. A prominent driver of the market is the increasing advent of the "fourth industrial revolution," Industry 4.0, characterized by rapid advancements in various next-generation technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Advanced facial recognition systems, developed within this context, leverage AI features, IP cameras, machine learning algorithms, and cognitive technology to authenticate individuals from video sources or digital images. In contrast to traditional facial recognition systems with vulnerabilities, AI-based counterparts demonstrate significantly enhanced accuracy. The trend of replacing traditional fingerprinting scanners with AI-based facial recognition systems in security setups is gaining momentum, contributing to broader adoption. Notably, beyond technology giants, the military sectors are also considering incorporating AI technology to address battlefield challenges. Consequently, the market experiences growth due to the reinforcement provided by AI-powered facial recognition technology. Also, the market is further propelled by increasing government initiatives and investments aimed at promoting AI-based facial recognition technologies.

Facial Recognition Technology – Overview

Facial recognition technology involves the process of authenticating, identifying, or confirming an individual's identity through their facial features. The facial recognition system utilizes computer algorithms to extract distinctive facial details, creating faceprints for storage. By mapping facial features from images or videos and comparing them with known faces in a database, facial recognition verifies a person's identity. Widely employed by governments and law enforcement agencies for enhanced security, the demand for facial recognition technology is growing. The Facial Recognition Market is further propelled by the increasing adoption of multi-factor authentication, incorporating fingerprints, retina scans, and facial recognition. Ongoing innovations in facial recognition systems across various sectors are anticipated to drive market growth, especially in surveillance applications within the public sector, where facial recognition serves as a crucial tool for detecting and locating human faces in images and videos.

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market

Growth Drivers

Rising Security Concerns

The surge in criminal activities and a heightened focus on surveillance and safety have led to a growing demand for facial recognition technology in both government and civil sectors. The escalating threats of cybersecurity breaches, along with malware and ransomware attacks aimed at stealing confidential information, further drive the need for facial recognition technology to safeguard systems, devices and data. Additionally, government bodies worldwide are taking proactive measures by initiating projects to deploy multiple face recognition systems in key locations, such as airports and train stations. This strategic approach aims to deter unlawful activities, including theft of personal belongings, and enhance overall security measures.

Challenges

High Cost associated with Implementation and Maintenance of Facial Recognition Systems

The growth of Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market faces hindrance due to the high costs linked to implementation and maintenance of the systems. The substantial financial requirements associated with deploying deep learning engines, middleware for large-scale surveillance, and smart surveillance engines limit market growth. Furthermore, a scarcity of investment and funds acts as a significant restraint, slowing the adoption of facial recognition solutions in the region. Despite these challenges, industry players are actively leveraging effective algorithms to offer cost-effective solutions and enhance the accuracy of facial recognition technology in the market.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market

The impact of increasing geopolitical tensions on the Facial Recognition Market in the Middle East and Africa region is profound. The escalating influence of digital authoritarianism, particularly in nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is pivotal. Collaborations with China and Israel, particularly the experimental Red Wolf system deployed in Hebron, contribute to reshaping the facial recognition landscape. Governments respond with swift technological pushback, employing strategies like online crackdowns, censorship, and the introduction of cyber-crime laws. It not only restricts online discourse but also conflates criticism with "fake news" and suppresses dissent. The proliferation of spyware, exemplified by Israel's NSO Group's Pegasus, raises significant privacy and security concerns, impacting social movements. The evolving collaboration between Israel and Gulf states further deepens complexities surrounding surveillance technologies in the region, underscoring the broader geopolitical impact on the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market.

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market

Segmental Coverage

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market – By Component

By component, the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market is bifurcated into Software and Services segments. The software segment holds a higher share in the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market by component. The growing focus on the adoption of advancing technologies like cloud-based systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet connectivity is a significant catalyst, creating lucrative revenue opportunities for established players as well as newcomers in the facial recognition sector.

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market – By Application

Based on application, the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market is divided into Access Control, Attendance Tracking & Monitoring, Emotion Recognition, and Security & Surveillance segments. The access control segment is expected to dominate the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market by application during the forecast period. The dominance is attributed to the increasing emphasis of companies on improving their access control systems. Meanwhile, the security & surveillance segment is expected to witness the fastest growing rate during the forecast period. It can be attributed to the escalating adoption of facial recognition technology in security and surveillance systems, particularly in high-security zones. Notably, law enforcement agencies utilize security and surveillance systems for locating missing children or identifying individuals involved in criminal activities. Additionally, business proprietors favor the installation of facial recognition-based security systems to oversee individuals and recognize their faces upon entering their establishments. Moreover, airports are increasingly integrating facial recognition technology into security checkpoints, enhancing public safety by discouraging criminal activities under the vigilance of surveillance systems.

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market – By End User

On the basis of end user, the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market is divided into Retail and E-commerce, Media & Entertainment, BFSI, Automobile & Transportation, IT & Telecom, Government, and Healthcare segments. The government segment holds the highest share in the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market by end user. It is primarily due to the growing need for recognition solutions within law enforcement and security agencies. Face recognition solutions play a crucial role in real-time recognition and verification of suspected criminals, as well as cross-border monitoring, ensuring a secure and protected environment.

Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market – By Country

The in-depth research report on the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market covers the market in the region’s major countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, and Rest of MEA. South Africa holds the highest share in the Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market due to widespread adoption for identity verification and security. Despite concerns about biases and misuse, facial recognition is integral to combatting identity theft and fraud. Private sector and Chinese entities contribute to developing 'smart cities.' The rise in internet usage facilitates data collection for border monitoring, access to government services, and commercial entity protection. While facial recognition reduces fraud, concerns arise over privacy invasion, hacking, and algorithmic biases, prompting the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Policymakers should conduct regular audits and employ context-specific algorithms to align technological progress with legislation.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market include Fujitsu, NEC Corporation, IDEMIA, VisionLabs, Invixium, Emirates Face Recognition LLC, Ayonix, RecFaces, and Heyce 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 July 2023 - Mashreq introduced Electronic Facial Recognition (EFR) technology to streamline the onboarding process for large corporate clients in the UAE. The initiative enables paperless account opening for corporate banking clients, addressing the digital gap often seen in wholesale banking.

Scope of the Report

By Component

• Software

• Services

By Application

• Access Control

• Attendance Tracking & Monitoring

• Emotion Recognition

• Security & Surveillance

By End User

• Retail & E-commerce

• Media & Entertainment

• BFSI

• Automobile & Transportation

• IT & Telecom

• Government

• Healthcare

By Country

• Saudi Arabia

• UAE

• Qatar

• Kuwait

• South Africa

• Nigeria

• Algeria

• Rest of MEA

1. Research Framework
   1. Research Objective
   2. Product Overview
   3. Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
3. Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market Insights
   1. Industry Value Chain Analysis
   2. DROC Analysis
      1. Growth Drivers
         1. Rising security concerns
         2. Increasing adoption in diverse sectors
      2. Restraints
         1. Increasing privacy concerns
         2. High cost associated with implementation and maintenance of facial recognition
      3. Opportunities
         1. Developments in edge computing and AI
         2. Increase in focus on ethical and secure solutions
      4. Challenges
         1. Cybersecurity threats
   3. Technological Advancements/Recent Developments
   4. Regulatory Framework
   5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of New Entrants
      4. Threat of Substitutes
      5. Intensity of Rivalry
4. Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market: Marketing Strategies
5. Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market Overview
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Component
         1. Software
         2. Services
      2. By Application
         1. Access Control
         2. Attendance Tracking & Monitoring
         3. Emotion Recognition
         4. Security & Surveillance
         5. Others
      3. By End User
         1. Retail & E-commerce
         2. Media & Entertainment
         3. BFSI
         4. Automobile & Transportation
         5. IT & Telecom
         6. Government
         7. Healthcare
         8. Others
      4. By Country
         1. Saudi Arabia
         2. UAE
         3. Qatar
         4. Kuwait
         5. South Africa
         6. Nigeria
         7. Algeria
         8. Rest of MEA
6. Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Application
      2. By End User
7. UAE Facial Recognition Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Component
      2. By Application
      3. By End User
8. Qatar Facial Recognition Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Component
      2. By Application
      3. By End User
9. Kuwait Facial Recognition Market
   1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
      1. By Value (USD Billion)
   2. Market Share & Forecast
      1. By Component
      2. By Application
      3. By End User
10. South Africa Facial Recognition Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Component
       2. By Application
       3. By End User
11. Nigeria Facial Recognition Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Component
       2. By Application
       3. By End User
12. Algeria Facial Recognition Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Component
       2. By Application
       3. By End User
13. Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market
    1. Market Size & Forecast, 2019–2030
       1. By Value (USD Billion)
    2. Market Share & Forecast
       1. By Component
       2. By Application
       3. By End User
14. Competitive Landscape
    1. List of Key Players and Their Offerings
    2. Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Company Market Share Analysis, 2023
    3. Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating Parameters
    4. Key Strategic Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships, etc.)
15. Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market
16. Company Profiles (Company Overview, Financial Matrix, Competitive Landscape, Key Personnel, Key Competitors, Contact Address, Strategic Outlook, and SWOT Analysis)
    1. Fujitsu
    2. NEC Corporation
    3. IDEMIA
    4. VisionLabs
    5. Invixium
    6. Emirates Face Recognition LLC
    7. Ayonix
    8. RecFaces
    9. Heyce Technologies
    10. Other Prominent Players
17. Key Strategic Recommendations
18. Research Methodology
    1.       Qualitative Research
       1.   Primary & Secondary Research
    2.       Quantitative Research
    3.       Market Breakdown & Data Triangulation
       1.   Secondary Research
       2.   Primary Research
    4.       Breakdown of Primary Research Respondents, By Region
    5.       Assumptions & Limitations

*Financial information of non-listed companies can be provided as per availability.

**The segmentation and the companies are subject to modifications based on in-depth secondary research for the final deliverable

List of Figures

Figure 1       Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Segmentation

Figure 2       Middle East and Africa Facial Recognition Market Value Chain Analysis

Figure 3       Company Market Share Analysis, 2023

Figure 4       Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 5       Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 6       Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 7       Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 8       Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Country, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 9       Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 10     Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 11     Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 12     Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 13     UAE Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 14     UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 15     UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 16     UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 17     Qatar Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 18     Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 19     Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 20     Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 21     Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 22     Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 23     Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 24     Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 25     South Africa Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 26     South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 27     South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 28     South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 29     Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 30     Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 31     Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 32     Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 33     Algeria Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 34     Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 35     Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 36     Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 37     Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Figure 38     Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 39     Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Figure 40     Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

List of Tables

Table 1        Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 2        Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 3        Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 4        Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 5        Middle East & Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Country, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 6        Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 7        Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 8        Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 9        Saudi Arabia Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 10      UAE Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 11      UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 12      UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 13      UAE Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 14      Qatar Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 15      Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 16      Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 17      Qatar Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 18      Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 19      Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 20      Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 21      Kuwait Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 22      South Africa Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 23      South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 24      South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 25      South Africa Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 26      Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 27      Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 28      Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 29      Nigeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 30      Algeria Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 31      Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 32      Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 33      Algeria Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 34      Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Size, By Value (USD Billion), 2019–2030

Table 35      Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By Component, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 36      Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By Application, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 37      Rest of MEA Facial Recognition Market Share, By End User, By Value, 2019–2030

Table 38      Fujitsu Company Overview

Table 39      Fujitsu Financial Overview

Table 40      NEC Corporation Company Overview

Table 41      NEC Corporation Financial Overview

Table 42      IDEMIA Company Overview

Table 43      IDEMIA Financial Overview

Table 44      VisionLabs Company Overview

Table 45      VisionLabs Financial Overview

Table 46      Invixium Company Overview

Table 47      Invixium Financial Overview

Table 48      Emirates Face Recognition LLC Company Overview

Table 49      Emirates Face Recognition LLC Financial Overview

Table 50      Ayonix Company Overview

Table 51      Ayonix Financial Overview

Table 52      RecFaces Company Overview

Table 53      RecFaces Financial Overview

Table 54      Heyce Technologies Company Overview

Table 55      Heyce Technologies Financial Overview