Mobile-First Retail, Digital Wallet Growth, and AI Investment Reshape Middle East Commerce in 2025

Hamburg-based secondary market research firm yStats.com analyzes how E-Commerce, digital payments, and artificial intelligence are reshaping retail and financial services in its latest publication, Global Compendium 2025: Volume 4  Middle East Digital Commerce & Payments in the Age of AI, covering Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman.

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Middle East Accelerates Online Retail and Mobile-First Purchasing

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Weekly online shopping activity continues to rise across the region as mobile-first consumer behavior strengthens. In Saudi Arabia, over half of Internet users shopped online weekly in 2023, highlighting the depth of digital adoption. Seasonal peaks further amplify online demand, with the UAE recording the highest average online order value in the region during Ramadan 2024, signaling strong momentum in emerging markets.

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Digital Payments Gain Momentum as Wallets and Mobile Commerce Expand

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Digital payment adoption continues to accelerate across the Middle East as consumers shift toward app-based transactions. Digital wallets accounted for one fifth of total online spending in MENA in 2023, while mobile commerce is set to represent 70% of total online transaction value by 2025. Non-cash transaction volumes are rising across the wider MEA region, with markets such as the UAE and Iran showing widespread digital payment usage, reflecting strong readiness for cashless commerce both within and beyond the Gulf.

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AI Investment Deepens as Gulf Nations Drive Enterprise Adoption

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AI adoption is scaling rapidly across commerce and financial services, supported by national strategies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Organizations are deploying Generative AI for content automation, analytics, fraud detection, logistics, and risk management, with operational use expanding through 2024 and 2025. While the region advances in E-Commerce, payments, and AI integration, varying levels of enterprise readiness, talent availability, and governance maturity continue to shape outcomes. The Middle East’s rapid digital evolution is increasingly influencing operational models and best practices across global technology and financial systems.

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Access the Full Report

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For detailed insights into the Middle East’s E-Commerce, payments, and AI transformation, access Global Compendium 2025: Volume 4 Middle East Digital Commerce & Payments in the Age of AI, 2025. Please contact press@ystats.com for more information.

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