Middle East and Africa Image Sensors Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts(2022 - 2027)

The Middle East and African Image Sensor Market is expected to grow by a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period (2021-2026). The growing requirement for better resolution cameras for security and surveillance in public areas and expanding mobile phone sector, particularly smartphones, is expected to drive the growth of the market over the projected period.

Key Highlights

• An image sensor is a device that allows the camera to convert light into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the device to create a high-resolution picture. All commercially available digital cameras use one of two possible technologies for the camera's image sensor: CCD or CMOS.
• The common type of image sensor is a two-dimensional device that creates a digital picture from light intensity information captured through its sensor. The need for high-quality images, increasing consumer base for smartphones, tablets, and use in consumer electronics, are the key drivers which are making the Middle East and Africa Image Sensors market grow lucratively.
• Although, the Complex manufacturing process of high-resolution image sensors and higher power consumption in CCD image sensors are the factors hindering the growth of the Middle East and Africa image sensors market. However, owing to a rise in consumer spending on technology in the Middle East and Africa. The consumer electronics segment is expected to hold the largest market share in the Image Sensors market.
• Over the past two years, the global semiconductors and electronics industry witnessed diverse trends owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The manufacturing and other heavy industries faced operational challenges due to restricted cash flow and various restrictions over the use of workforce in the industries; on the other hand, a severe impact on the supply chain was observed during the pandemic.
• However, the demand for image sensors is expected to regain momentum with data center services, cloud computing, and other online supporting sectors gaining traction in the region, which is expected to drive the end-user spending of the CMOS Image Sensors market significantly over the near term future.

Key Market Trends

Consumer Electronics Segment to Hold Significant Market Share

• The consumer electronics market in the Middle East and African region is quite promising as the consumer behavior in the region has been continuously evolving. The sales of consumer electronics are in the gradual move towards more compact and multifunctional devices, with consumers’ lifestyles becoming increasingly highly mobile and fast-paced.
• The key applications for image sensors in a consumer electronics device included mobile phone cameras, digital still cameras, tablets, toys, and camcorders, PC/laptops, webcams, and smart televisions.
• For applications in a consumer electronics device, usually, CMOS image sensors are preferred over CCD sensors because of their lower power consumption, ease of integration, speed, and cost factor.
• Furthermore, the Consumer electronics market in the Middle East is on the verge of digital disruption with companies vying for online presence, which has significant untapped market potential. For instance, in 2020, the Sony Middle East & Africa launched the latest range of Alpha mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras in Nigeria. These mirrorless cameras offer the fastest shooting speed with Auto Focus (AF) and Auto Exposure (AE).

United Arab Emirates to be the Region with Significant Market Share

• The United Arab Emirates is among the countries with the highest smartphone penetration. With the availability of 5G services increasing significantly in the region, the number is further expected to increase.
• Additionally, the digital transformation is accelerating across the country as governments, public institutions, private sector players, and development organizations are increasingly using digital platforms to improve lives and power economic growth in the region.
• Furthermore, automotive is one of the key sectors where the demand for imaging sensors is growing steadily. In modern-day automobiles, cameras are being deployed throughout the vehicle to increase driver safety and comfort, including surround-view systems, ADAS applications, and mirror replacement.
• As UAE is among the leading automotive market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region due to factors such as low fuel costs, low import tariffs, high per capita disposable income, and a favorable tax regime. The sector encourages economic diversification and influences national strategy for a competitive business environment.
• Moreover, the UAE government's recent shift towards local manufacturing encourages global automobile manufacturers to increase investments in this region. The companies such as Ashok Leyland, Hafilat Industries, W Motors, and Zarooq Motors have started manufacturing in the UAE, and more are likely to follow.

Competitive Landscape

The Middle East and Africa Image Sensor Market is moderately competitive owing to the presence of key players such as Sony Corporation, Canon Inc., On Semiconductor Corporation, Omnivision Technology, etc. Some of the recent developments in the Market include:

• November 2021 - OmniVision Technologies, a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, launched the OVMed OH0FA image sensor and OAH0428 bridge chip for endoscopes and catheters. The OH0FA image sensor provides 720x720 resolution at 30 frames per second (fps)―the highest available resolution for ENT, cardiac, arthro, OB-GYN, and utero-renal endoscopes, yielding visibility for surgeons to see and diagnose early-stage disease.
• November 2021 - Australian-based search-and-rescue surveillance specialist provider, Sentient Vision Systems, announced that it has teamed with Austria’s Airborne Technologies and UAE- and UK-based Phoenix Aerospace to create a Middle East center of excellence for sensor integration.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support