MENA countries: if it is worth driving traffic, then which one and where

In search of fresh, unexplored GEOs, arbitrageurs are paying attention to countries located in the south – in Africa and the Middle East. These previously underestimated GEOs are now showing a rapid increase in popularity in gambling and betting. There is a steady growth of MENA GEO offers in leading iGaming affiliate programs. The region is also attracting attention due to improved logistics and high demand for goods, and there are ample opportunities for long-term work with advertisers.

Are Africa and the Middle East new promising GEOs for arbitrageurs? In this article, we are going to explore the peculiarities of these regions and find out what makes them attractive for arbitrageurs.

Why do they choose these countries?

Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of the countries in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) zone, also known as MENA (Middle East and North Africa). This zone covers approximately 25 countries with a population of 355 million people, which is 6% of the world’s total. Among the most important countries in this region are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. However, the exact list of states has not been established, as MENA is an informal association.

Let us analyze the peculiarities of the MENA countries that make this region attractive for arbitrators and advertisers.

Growing interest in goods of various categories

• Improved quality of life. Many emerging economies in Africa and the Middle East are experiencing dynamic economic development, which is contributing to an improved quality of life. Residents of these countries are increasingly paying attention to health care and entertainment, such as betting and gambling.
• Expanding access to the Internet. Progress in the field of Internet technologies in these territories allows citizens to access a wide range of products and services.

Low competition

• Weak market development. For example, the Nutra market in Africa and the Middle East (Tier-3 countries) has not yet developed as much as in Europe or the United States (Tier-1).
• Limited number of large enterprises. In these regions, fewer large companies are competing for the attention of the audience.
  Increased opportunities for start-ups. Weak competition makes these territories attractive to newcomers.

Cheap traffic

• Low cost per click. In these territories, the cost of advertising is usually much lower than in developed countries, where it can reach 50-100 cents per click, while here it is often only 1-10 cents.
• High ROI. Cheap traffic combined with growing demand leads to high ROI. In such regions, it is possible to achieve 100% ROI due to inexpensive advertising and a new audience.

Audience loyalty

• Trust in advertising. Residents of these countries are more receptive to promotions compared to countries with high competition. Here, people tend to trust advertising more because of the difficulty of reaching a large number of users, unlike, for example, Hungary with its 9 million citizens, where there are even fewer active advertising consumers. In such cases, ads may appear in their field of view repeatedly throughout the day, gradually reducing the level of trust.

Overview of Popular Countries in Africa

Egypt

• Population: 100 million people.
• Languages: Arabic, English.
• Average income: $400 per month.

Egypt is not only about pyramids and tourists but also about more than a hundred million potential buyers. Although the level of salaries is relatively low, Egyptians tend to spend money actively, and the competition among arbitrators is not yet very high. Given the country’s Muslim culture, it is important to take this into account when developing creatives.

Passion for bargaining: Egyptians love to bargain, so offers with discounts, promotions, and bonuses will be effective. Gambling and betting are also popular in Egypt, which creates demand for creatives.

Arabic is the official language, and many people also speak English. However, it is recommended to use Arabic, especially local dialects, to improve conversion.

As a result, Egypt is a promising GEO for arbitrage, taking into account the cultural and linguistic preferences of residents.

SOUTH AFRICA

• Population: 60 million people.
• Language: English.
• Average income: $1100 per month.

South Africa is a vibrant mix of cultural and geographical diversity. It is home to about 60 million people, a unique mix of different ethnic groups, including Zulus, Afrikaners, Indians, Malays, and others. The standard of living here ranges from low-income neighborhoods to areas with luxury villas.

Almost every resident of South Africa has access to the Internet, mostly through mobile devices. Most people use Facebook and Google for communication. Video advertising and clickbait materials are particularly popular.

Healthcare in the country is not at the highest level, and the demand for medical products and drugs is high, which makes medical offers very attractive. There are restrictions on gambling, but people find ways to circumvent the laws. At the same time, betting is fully legalized and popular.

Overall, South Africa has a high potential for arbitrators, with multicultural features to consider.

Overview of popular countries in the Middle East

Bahrain

• Population: 1.5 million people.
• Languages: Arabic, English.
• Average income: $2300 per month.

It is important to note that the majority of the population of Bahrain is made up of wealthy people with an income of about $2300 per month. However, about half of the residents came from countries such as Pakistan, India, and the Philippines. Men predominate, accounting for more than 60% of the population.

Most Bahrainis actively use the Internet, which is characterized by high-speed and mobile communication. Facebook and Google are the most popular, and influencers often become the faces of advertising campaigns.

You should also be aware of the peculiarities of the region: 18+ censorship and a ban on any criticism of the authorities. Also, in Bahrain, Friday is considered a day of rest and it is not customary to work on this day.

Qatar

• Population: 2.9 million people.
• Languages: Arabic, English.
• Average income: $500 per month.

The population is approximately 2.9 million people, with a male dominance that is three times higher than that of the female. The country’s economy is largely dependent on oil and gas revenues, which has made Qatar one of the most prosperous countries in the world. The main official language is Arabic, but English is also widely used, especially in the business sector, which simplifies the work for arbitrators.

The Internet in Qatar is fast and smartphones are widespread, but the country maintains a strict censorship policy. Any content related to adult topics, gambling, political or religious issues is subject to blocking. The main platforms where you can find your target audience are Facebook and Google.

In the context of strict legal restrictions, it is recommended to focus on the gut, avoiding gambling. According to the country’s penal code, any player found guilty of gambling, whether online or offline, can be sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of $825.

Thus, although Qatar is a GEO with great potential, it is necessary to choose verticals carefully to avoid problems with local laws.

Conclusion

Africa and the Middle East are promising GEOs for arbitrageurs in the gaming, commodity, and iGaming verticals. The attractiveness of these countries lies in the low competition, available advertising resources, and growing consumer interest, which creates excellent prospects for earnings.

Nevertheless, it is extremely important to take into account the peculiarities of each particular GEO. We took a look at Qatar, Bahrain, South Africa, and Egypt, which showed how different each region is. Consider these peculiarities before launching your advertising campaigns to achieve efficiency and accuracy in attracting your target audience. Hadh Sa’eed or good luck!