Research shows that by 2030, most of the new internet users will be from the emerging economies, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, the Middle East, North Africa, and so on
Over the past decade, the internet has become the lifeblood of modern life. It is shaping how people connect, learn, and work across borders.
Today, that transformation can be seen everywhere, especially in the emerging countries.
Research shows that by 2030, most of the new internet users will be from the emerging economies, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria, the Middle East, North Africa, and so on.
With over 30% of the world’s broadband growth, reaching more than 1.6 billion subscribers, will come from these markets where populations are large, young, and increasingly connected.
This transformation is not a coincidence. Affordable smartphones have made the internet accessible to many people in ways that seemed impossible just a decade ago.
Additionally, expanding mobile networks have been reaching places that were left out before. Young people are leading this change, but they’re not alone.
Families separated by migration depend on digital platforms to stay close to their loved ones across continents, workers use these tools to send remittances home, and small businesses are finding that their growth potential extends far beyond local markets when they can communicate and transact digitally.
However, the challenge is that in these regions, infrastructure hasn’t yet kept pace with ambition.
As a result, users in these regions, especially far-flung areas, prefer apps that actually work well, even if the bandwidth is limited, rather than ones that promise more than they can deliver.
More importantly, privacy and safety are non-negotiable, especially for women and young people, who want to be in the digital space without any fear of harassment or surveillance.
In this context, messaging apps like imo have been playing an essential role. The app is built to run smoothly, even on 2G and 3G networks, something other apps can’t handle.
Across Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Middle East, and North Africa, it is part of people’s daily lives because it fits their real needs.
With features like end-to-end encryption, cross-border communication, and a simple, easy-to-use design, it helps millions stay connected in a way that matches their reality.
Messaging and video calling apps are redefining what accessible, privacy-conscious communication looks like in emerging markets, considering the ever-changing needs of the users, which is consequently accelerating the digital revolution sprint in these rising economies.
