The e-commerce market in the United Arab Emirates reached AED32.3bn ($8.8bn) during 2024, with projections to grow to more than AED50.6bn ($13.8bn) by 2029, according to a new report.

Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that these figures come from the fifth edition of the "E-Commerce in the Middle East and North Africa 2024" report issued by EZDubai, the dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, in collaboration with Euromonitor International, the global provider of business information, research, market analysis and consumer insights.

According to the report, clothing and footwear, consumer electronics, and home care products topped the list of highest-value product categories in 2024.

Results from Euromonitor's Digital Consumer Survey showed that credit and debit cards remain the most commonly used payment method for online shopping in the UAE. However, digital wallet usage recorded significant growth, rising from 41% in 2020 to 53% in 2024.

At the regional level, the e-commerce market in the Middle East and North Africa reached approximately AED126.7bn ($34.5bn) in 2024, achieving annual growth of 13%. This growth is attributed to the increasing spread of mobile commerce and expansion of cross-border transactions.

The regional market is expected to reach AED212.2bn ($57.8bn) by 2029, with growth based on infrastructure investments, government digital initiatives, and increased technological connectivity among consumers, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.