SGIE Report 2024/25: Content, collaboration remain central to media sector growth

Muslim consumer spending on media and recreation rose by 5.2% in 2023 to reach $260 billion, driven by significant investments, innovative content and expanding consumer demand.

Major investments highlighted the sector's momentum such as UAE-based HyperSpace securing $55 million, Türkiye’s Spyke Games raising $50 million, and Malaysia's Adilmart attracting $39 million, according to the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024/25. 

Content remains king, collaborations seal the deal
Content innovation has developed, particularly through strategic partnerships enhancing educational and entertainment offerings for Muslim audiences.

StarTimes introduced tailored Ramadan programming while Majid TV collaborated with TwelveP Animation to broadcast family-friendly Islamic-themed animated content. 

Qalbox also partnered with platforms like NoorKids, Durioo+, and Astro to significantly expand its educational offerings, resulting in a 30% growth in subscriptions and amassing a content library exceeding 10,000 hours.

Innovative products like UAE’s Muslim Blocks have blended educational play with Islamic culture. Saudi Arabia’s $100 billion "Project Transcendence" is set to position the nation as a global leader in AI and data analytics. 

Meanwhile, Media City Qatar’s collaboration with Fadaat Media and Saudi Arabia’s partnership with Qualcomm have introduced AI-driven content and advertising innovations. King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology’s partnership with Ericsson has established cutting-edge gaming research and development infrastructure.

Operationally, collaborations and initiatives are bolstering media capabilities and skills across regions. The UAE Media Council partnered with Google for advanced media training, while Qatar Insurance Company's edutainment project at KidzMondo Doha combined education with entertainment to promote financial literacy among young audiences.

Cross-border collaborations, such as between Azerbaijan and Turkey’s media agencies, are promoting Islamic cultural narratives widely.

National strategies lead the way
National strategies and trade developments have further bolstered the sector. 

Malaysia expressed intent to collaborate with Nigeria on Islamic media content, while Afghanistan expanded its Islamic education infrastructure. Saudi Arabia launched the AI Centre for Media, and the UAE signed a preliminary agreement with Korea’s Arte Museum. 

Policy and regulatory measures have become to shine through, with Kuwait launching an extensive Islamic education encyclopaedia, Nigeria introducing digital regulatory reforms, Saudi Arabia’s diversification focused-media strategy and the UAE’s new media regulations. 

Social impact remains integral, exemplified by UNESCO’s educational investment in Cameroon and Sharjah’s Holy Quran TV launching multilingual content.

The Islamic Development Bank’s digital preservation projects for Islamic manuscripts further reinforce the sector’s role in cultural conservation.

To download a copy of the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2024/25, click here.