Mario Pérez, CEO of MENATech (a company of GGTech Entertainment), explains that MENATech’s innovative business model capitalizes on the booming gaming and esports sectors in the Middle East. Through educational programs, local collaborations, and major events like GAMERGY, MENATech is cultivating a comprehensive gaming ecosystem while empowering talent across the region.
Could you elaborate on MENATech’s current business model, and how it aligns with the rapid growth of the gaming and esports sectors in the Middle East?
MENATech’s business model aligns with the rapid growth of gaming and esports in the MENA region, home to over 377 million gamers and the fastest-growing esports market. We’ve diversified our offerings by enhancing our presence in the educational side of esports and gaming, launching initiatives designed to train individuals who aspire to build careers within the industry. We see vast opportunities for improvement in this area, with a large community eager to gain deeper knowledge. We are empowering young people to thrive in the dynamic global economy, ensuring they are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the gaming and esports industries.
What are the primary revenue streams MENATech focuses on, and how do they contribute to the sustainability and scalability of the company?
The surge in gaming revenues, driven by a youth-centric population, internet penetration, and significant tech investment, has transformed the industry into an interactive, communal experience. MENATech is capitalizing on this growth by diversifying our offerings, including community tournaments, tournament operations, and services for brands and publishers. We’re also expanding into education, recognizing the potential for growth in this area. Since entering the MENA region, we’ve focused on education initiatives, understanding that, with the game-based learning market projected to reach US$77.4 billion by 2032, gamification equips students with essential 21st-century skills and drives industry success.
How does MENATech plan to cultivate a comprehensive gaming ecosystem in the Middle East, and what role do partnerships and local collaborations play in this strategy?
MENATech is dedicated to building a comprehensive gaming ecosystem in the Middle East by expanding international intellectual properties like GAMERGY, which will debut in Cairo in January 2025. This is a big step forward in continuing our global expansion of the event and a great opportunity for communities and brands to be involved in a global Gaming event with local activations. We also continue developing our UNIVERSITY Esports Tournament to foster regional partnerships.
Government initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Dubai’s Gaming 2033 program are pivotal, aiming to create tens of thousands of jobs and position the region as a global gaming hub. These efforts align with MENATech’s strategy, leveraging local collaborations to drive growth and innovation in the industry.
As esports and gaming continue to gain traction in the Middle East, what role does MENATech play in shaping this industry?
We aim to bring our best practices to the region any way we can, to help develop what we feel the community is hungry for and our knowledge from other regions to help the gaming community grow with a competitive, healthy and safe environment.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth in gaming and esports in the Middle East, and how is MENATech positioned to capitalize on these opportunities?
We see growth opportunities in cultivating and expanding gaming communities across the Middle East. While substantial investments are funnelled in professional tournaments, grassroots competitions remain underdeveloped. These local events are crucial for nurturing talent and fostering long-term growth. MENATech is committed to building these communities through regional tournaments and partnerships.
Beyond competition, gaming is emerging as a viable career path in the Middle East. Supported by multinational brands, gaming generates millions annually for players. Initiatives like KSA’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy and the UAE’s DMCC Gaming Centre are creating new opportunities for players, developers, and support roles alike. MENATech actively contributes through career development programs, preparing individuals for the industry’s evolving demands.
How is MENATech supporting the development of local gaming talent and esports teams, and what initiatives are in place to nurture this talent in the region?
MENATech is dedicated to supporting the development of local gaming talent and esports teams through initiatives like UNIVERSITY Esports, which engages college students from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Morocco. This program combines competition with education, offering students a platform to explore the benefits of gaming, socialize with peers, and gain insights into career opportunities within the industry. As the MENA region’s gaming and esports market continues to grow, driven by strong government support, MENATech remains committed to nurturing youth talent and positioning the region as a global leader in gaming innovation and job creation.
Can you share more about MENATech’s involvement in bringing GAMERGY to the Middle East and the impact you hope it will have on the region’s gaming culture?
GAMERGY is a globally recognized esports event, present in over seven countries on three continents, and MENATech is bringing it to the Middle East for the first time, with its debut in Egypt. As the region’s gaming and esports industry experiences rapid growth, GAMERGY will provide a critical platform for developing local talent and integrating them into the global gaming community. By partnering with local firms such as ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, MENATech aims to deliver a high-impact event that strengthens the regional gaming ecosystem and advances the Middle East’s position in the global esports arena.
What made Cairo the ideal location for the first GAMERGY esports, gaming, leisure, and entertainment event in the region, and what are your expectations for its success?
Cairo was selected as the ideal location for the first GAMERGY event in the region due to Egypt’s significant gaming population and its position as the top revenue-generating country in North Africa. With nearly 59% of MENA-3 gamers hailing from Egypt, the city provides a robust audience for this esports and gaming event. We anticipate thousands of attendees over the three-day event, offering a wide range of entertainment. Our success will be measured by the positive engagement of our sponsors and audience, ensuring a meaningful and impactful experience for all participants.
How do you see the introduction of GAMERGY evolving in the Middle East in the coming years, and what can we expect in terms of MENATech’s future events or initiatives related to gaming and esports?
The introduction of GAMERGY in the Middle East marks the first step in MENATech’s long-term strategy to expand its presence in the region. With over 20 successful editions in countries like Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, we expect strong growth and increased traction in the Middle East. As interest in esports and gaming rises, we aim to bring GAMERGY to other key markets, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, further solidifying our role in developing the region’s gaming ecosystem through high-quality events and initiatives.
What strategies are MENATech and GAMERGY implementing to foster community engagement among gamers, esports enthusiasts, and sponsors in the Middle East?
MENATech and GAMERGY are implementing targeted strategies to foster community engagement among gamers, esports enthusiasts, and sponsors in the Middle East. A key focus is building strong partnerships with game publishers, which allows us to create specific activations tailored to large gaming communities. These collaborations ensure that we not only reach the right audiences but also provide an engaging and dynamic experience for participants. By aligning with publishers and delivering customized content, we aim to keep both the gaming community and sponsors actively involved and satisfied at each event.
