Middle East and North Africa Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Market

Overview

Middle East and North Africa Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Market reached US$ 57.3 Million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 222.8 Million by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 18.5% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The growing governments of the Middle East and North Africa invest in GeoAI technology to improve several areas, including national security, agriculture, urban planning, infrastructure development and disaster prevention. To maximize the effectiveness of discovering, obtaining and managing the plentiful natural resources in the Middle East and North Africa which include minerals, water and oil and gas GeoAI is necessary.

Over the projected period the market is expected to develop at a faster rate due to growing innovation and research in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). To promote innovation and research in the area of geospatial technology, applications and solutions, for instance, is the goal of the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA).

Research and development projects exploring innovative technologies including machine learning for geospatial analysis, artificial intelligence and remote sensing are going to get assistance from it. GEOSA also aims to encourage entrepreneurship in the geospatial industry. A methodology for monitoring and assessing the efficacy and performance of the geospatial environment will be established by GEOSA.

Saudi Arabia is a dominating country in the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) market due to the growing initiatives by the major key players. For instance, on November 15, 2023, Woolpert and Allvision, a geospatial analytics and asset management company based in Pittsburgh signed an agreement to Enhance Geospatial AI Capabilities. With this arrangement, Woolpert's proficiency with lidar and image collecting and processing will be combined with Allvision's AI, machine learning and deep learning skills. The partnership helps to develop cutting-edge geospatial solutions that are customized to satisfy customers globally.

Dynamics

Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Development

The rate of urbanization in the Middle East is among the 2 highest globally. The area has seen the 2nd fastest average annual rate of urban expansion in the world during the last 20 years, after Sub-Saharan Africa. The overall population who reside in urban areas reached 55.6% in 2015 and is expected to reach 58% by 2031, according to the Arab Cities Resilience estimate. Each subregion has seen an increase in the overall population living in urban settings: the Mashreq witnessed an increase from 88.5 million in 2015 to 121.6 million in 2031; the Maghreb witnessed an increase from 64.1 million to 82.6 million in 2031; and the GCC witnessed an increase from 43.3 million to 54.6 million in 2031.

Owing to the increasing number of people living in urban areas, innovative methods to manage the transportation, utilities, public safety and environmental sustainability of urban life are becoming increasingly essential. By providing useful insights into urban dynamics, geoAI technologies enable city planners to allocate resources and layout infrastructure in a well-informed manner. There is a constant demand for infrastructure projects including buildings, utilities, bridges and roads as cities develop. Planning, designing and building infrastructure projects significantly more efficiently through the use of GeoAI, which provides precise geographical data, analyses geospatial patterns and simulations different scenarios to identify the best possible solutions.

Growing Penetration of Internet

An increasing amount of geospatial data is being produced and distributed as a result of the Middle East and North Africa's increasing internet usage, resulting in a greater percentage of the population being accessible to online platforms and services. For GeoAI applications, this abundance of data is an invaluable resource as it facilitates more exact and in-depth analysis and decision-making. Concurrently, the expanding internet accessibility prompts businesses and organizations in the Middle East and North Africa to increasingly embrace cloud computing services. The cloud platforms provide scalable infrastructure and storage solutions tailored to geospatial data, simplifying the development and implementation of GeoAI applications without necessitating extensive on-site resources.

According to the data given by, the mobile economy, Some of the world's top leaders in 5G adoption are found in the Middle East and North Africa. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, 5G networks now reach 75% or more of the population. Operators in these markets are prioritizing enhancing 5G coverage in less densely populated regions and investing more to support the increasing demand for use cases enabled by 5G standalone (SA) and 5G-advanced technologies. Also, according to the Nokias broadband insights in 2023, Middle East & Africa has around 1,698 mn subscribers in 2021 which creates revenue of around US$ 76.8 billion.

Growing Security Concerns

Sensitive information on government structures, bases for the military, vital infrastructure and national security is frequently found in geographic data. Misuse or unauthorized access to this data could seriously threaten public safety and national security. Personally recognizable data (PII) about certain individuals, like their addresses, activities and exact positions likewise be available in geospatial information. It is fundamental to maintain the classification and protection of this information to follow the confidentiality and privacy of this data to comply with legal requirements and safeguard people's right to privacy.

Security hazards to geospatial data systems include ransomware attacks, malware outbreaks, theft of data and hacking attempts. Cyberattacks that target geospatial data infrastructure have the potential to compromise data integrity, interrupt vital services and undermine public confidence in geoAI solutions. Geospatial data weaknesses could be used by hostile individuals, foreign governments and criminal groups for cyberwarfare, intelligence gathering or spying. The geopolitical stability of the MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA as well as national security are seriously threatened under this.

Segment Analysis

The Middle East and North Africa Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Market is segmented based on type, deployment, technology, end-user and region.

Growing Industrial Applications of Fixed-Wing Geospatial Artificial Intelligence

Based on the type, the Middle East and North Africa geospatial artificial intelligence are divided into software, hardware and services. The fastest-increasing urbanization and population in the globe have led to the most significant market share in the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence services group. Minerals, gas and oil belong to the abundant natural resources available in the Middle East and North Africa. Organizations in these industries benefit from increased operational efficiency and cost savings as a result of the effective exploration, extraction and management of natural resources due to the application of GeoAI services. The Middle East and North Africa's geopolitical environment and ongoing security issues have encouraged the application of GeoAI in security and defense applications. The uses include counterterrorism, frontier surveillance, intelligence analysis and disaster recovery, where advanced geospatial analytic tools are essential for situational awareness and response planning.

Rapid expansion in the major key player's partnership strategies helps to boost segment growth over the forecast period. For instance, on January 05, 2024, Google and Intel, a global technology giant expanded their partnership with Saudi Arabia in various fields including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud Computing. Also, Google is preparing to introduce the Google for Startups Cloud Program in the initial months of 2024, aiming to offer Saudi small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with technical support, personalized guidance from mentors and insights from industry specialists. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to access cloud credits valued at up to US$200,000.

Geographical Penetration

Saudi Arabia is a Dominating Country in the Middle East and North Africa Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Market

The Saudi government has actively invested in research and development, digital transformation projects and technological infrastructure. Due to the favorable environment these investments have created for the GeoAI sector, both foreign and local businesses have decided to establish themselves in the nation. Saudi Arabia has regulations guidelines and rules into impact to energize business and development in the innovation business. The includes programs aimed at simplifying corporate procedures, facilitating foreign investment and assisting entrepreneurs and SME participants in the creation of cutting-edge technologies like GeoAI.

Some of the major key players follow merger and acquisition strategies to expand their business. For instance, on October 27, 2023, The General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information and NEOM signed a deal to exchange geospatial data in the management of cognitive cities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entails leveraging the services and products offered by the national network of continuous monitoring stations (KSA-CORS), utilizing the National Spatial Reference (SANSRS) for all surveying activities within NEOM and receiving assistance from GASGI in adopting or transitioning to this reference system. Additionally, it involves collaboration to streamline the Authority's responsibilities in NEOM, particularly regarding geodetic tasks.

Competitive Landscape.

The major global players in the market include Google, Microsoft, Geoblink, ESRI, Trimble Inc., HEXAGON, Harris Corporation, Digital Globe, Bentley Systems and Infosys Limited.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Governments and major key players were forced by the epidemic to reallocate resources and concentrate on urgent problems including public health, economic recovery and infrastructural resilience. The region's investment in GeoAI initiatives has unexpectedly slowed down as a result of this shift in priorities since resources were allocated to other important sectors.

The epidemic hastened the digital transition and acceptance of remote work in several industries. As a result, businesses in the Middle East and North Africa area started using GeoAI solutions more frequently to streamline processes, enhance remote collaboration and improve decisions. The trend has driven some demand for GeoAI products and services during the pandemic.

International supply chains are the origins of the hardware and software needed for establishing GeoAI systems in the Middle East and North Africa. The governments of the Middle East and North Africa adopted several stimulus initiatives and plans for economic recovery to lessen the effects of the pandemic. Some of these initiatives, such as finance for digital transformation projects, smart city development and infrastructure developments have directly helped the GeoAI business through higher government expenditures on related projects.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The circumstances between Russia and Ukraine have made international tensions develop universally. Expanded instability in the Center East and North Africa which is already characterized by numerous international disputes and rivalries, adversely influences trust in investors and company activities, especially for organizations engaged with the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) sector.

In the global energy industry, Russia and Ukraine are major participants, especially in the field of natural gas. Disruptions in the energy supply or price changes brought on by the war have an impact on investments in technology businesses like GeoAI, which might have an impact on businesses throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa spend more on defense and security as tensions grow globally, especially in Europe. Governments prioritize investments in surveillance, intelligence and defense-related GeoAI applications to enhance their security capabilities. The Middle East and North Africa had economic ties with both Russia and Ukraine, albeit to varying degrees. Disruptions in trade routes, sanctions or economic fallout resulting from the conflict impact regional economies and, consequently, investment in technology sectors like GeoAI.

By Type

• Software
• Hardware
• Services

By Deployment

• Cloud-Based
• On-Premises

By Technology

• Machine Learning & Deep Learning
• Computer Vision
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• GIS Integration
• Remote Sensing
• Others

By End-User

• Government & Public Sector
• Agriculture
• Energy & Utilities
• Telecommunications
• Construction & Real Estate
• Others

By Region

• Middle East and North Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Oman
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • Kuwait
  • Egypt
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Rest of Middle East and North Africa

Key Developments

• On November 30, 2023, IBM collaborated with the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the Government of Kenya and UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre to expand the application of IBM's geospatial AI technologies to urban heat island mapping, reforestation and climate resiliency in aviation.
• On August 03, 2023, IBM and open-source AI platform Hugging Face announced that IBM's watsonx.ai geospatial foundation model built from NASA's satellite data is openly available on Hugging Face. The model stands as the most extensive geospatial foundation model available on Hugging Face, marking a significant milestone as the inaugural open-source AI foundation model developed in partnership with NASA.
• On November 16, 2022, Aerial Vantage launched a Powerful Geospatial Intelligence Platform. The sophisticated geospatial intelligence platform boosts stakeholders' capacity to utilize aerial imagery by gathering, analyzing organizing and converting data from airborne sensors.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the Middle East and North Africa Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) Market segmentation based on type, deployment, technology, end-user and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of team collaboration tools market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The Middle East and North Africa geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) Market report would provide approximately 50 tables, 44 figures and 159 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies