UAE’s Telecom Trade Hits AED10.2 Billion Mark with Strong Growth

Photo: Bahrain News Agency

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) saw significant growth in its telecommunications trade during the year 2024. According to official data shared by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the total trade in telecom services reached AED10.2 billion in 2024. This marked an increase of 4.3 percent compared to AED9.8 billion in the previous year, 2023.

This growth shows that the telecom sector in the UAE is doing well and becoming even more important to the country's economy. The rise in trade was especially strong in the last three months of the year, known as the fourth quarter (Q4). During this quarter alone, telecom services trade increased by 12.95 percent compared to the same quarter the year before. The total trade value for Q4 was AED2.70 billion.

Let’s look deeper into the details of this growth and what it means for the UAE’s economy.

Fourth Quarter Played a Big Role in Overall Growth

One of the main reasons for the overall increase in telecom trade was the strong performance in the fourth quarter of 2024. This quarter saw the highest share of the year’s trade in telecom services. It made up 26.45 percent of the total trade for the entire year.

To put it simply, more than a quarter of all telecom service trade in 2024 happened in just the last three months of the year. This means that business activities, especially those involving telecom services, were very high towards the end of the year.

This high activity could be due to several reasons, such as end-of-year projects, increased e-commerce activity during holiday seasons, or growing demand for digital services and communication tools.

Quarterly Breakdown Shows Steady Performance

Here’s a breakdown of how telecom trade looked in each quarter of 2024:

• First Quarter (Q1): AED2.37 billion – 23.17% of annual total

• Second Quarter (Q2): AED2.56 billion – 25.05% of annual total

• Third Quarter (Q3): AED2.59 billion – 25.34% of annual total

• Fourth Quarter (Q4): AED2.70 billion – 26.45% of annual total

As we can see, the telecom trade increased slightly with each passing quarter. This indicates consistent growth and steady performance throughout the year, with the fourth quarter giving the biggest push.

Exports and Imports of Telecom Services Both Increased

The report also shared separate figures for telecom service exports and imports.

• Telecom Exports: The value of telecom services exported by the UAE rose by 6.49 percent in 2024. The total export value was AED4.9 billion.

• Telecom Imports: On the other hand, imports of telecom services increased by 2.38 percent, reaching a total of AED5.3 billion.

These numbers show that the UAE is selling more telecom services to other countries (exports) and also bringing in more services from outside (imports). The fact that exports grew faster than imports is a good sign for the economy, as it shows the UAE is becoming a stronger player in the global telecom market.

Why Is Telecom Trade Important for the UAE?

The telecom sector plays a very important role in modern economies, especially in countries like the UAE that are moving fast toward becoming fully digital. The growth in telecom trade supports many other parts of the economy, such as:

• Digital Economy: Telecom services are the backbone of the internet and communication technologies, which support e-commerce, online education, smart cities, and digital payments.

• Technology Infrastructure: With better telecom services, the UAE can build stronger and faster networks, including 5G and fiber optics. This supports innovation and future growth.

• Business and Investment: A growing telecom sector attracts foreign investors, startups, and tech companies looking for a reliable and connected environment.

The recent figures confirm that the UAE is on the right track in using technology and telecommunications to power its long-term goals.

The Role of FCSC in Monitoring Growth

The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) is the government agency that collected and shared this information. FCSC works under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs. It was created to help the UAE become more competitive on a global level by tracking important data and statistics.

FCSC doesn’t just collect numbers—it also helps the government understand how different sectors are performing, including areas like technology, health, education, and trade. This helps the UAE plan better for the future and create policies that support sustainable growth.

FCSC is also a key player in helping the country achieve the UAE Centennial Plan 2071, a long-term vision to make the UAE one of the best countries in the world by its 100th anniversary.

Telecom Sector and UAE Vision 2071

The UAE’s leadership has made it clear that the country is aiming to become a global leader in technology, innovation, and digital services by the year 2071. This plan includes building strong digital infrastructure, providing world-class education, encouraging innovation, and supporting high-tech businesses.

The growth in telecom trade fits directly into this vision. As more people and businesses use digital tools, the demand for telecom services will continue to rise. This creates jobs, supports economic growth, and makes life easier for citizens and residents.

A Positive Outlook for UAE’s Telecom Industry

In summary, 2024 was a successful year for the UAE’s telecommunications trade. With a 4.3 percent increase over the previous year, reaching AED10.2 billion, and a strong boost in the fourth quarter, the sector is clearly expanding.

Both exports and imports of telecom services saw healthy growth, and the numbers show a consistent performance throughout the year. The UAE’s continued investment in technology, digital infrastructure, and innovation is paying off.

The government, through organizations like FCSC, is keeping a close watch on this growth to ensure it supports the country’s long-term goals. This strong performance highlights the key role of the telecom sector in building a smarter, more connected, and digitally advanced UAE.

As we move ahead, we can expect the telecom industry to remain a major pillar in the country’s journey toward becoming a leading global digital hub.