MENA Digital Startup Environment Index: Developing a decision-making tool for the internationalization of digital startups

Fifka M, Hamadi I (2026)

Publication Type: Other publication type, posted-content

Publication year: 2026

Abstract

Since digital startups are economically vital for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, this research paper seeks to analyze the region’s digital entrepreneurship environment and to develop a decision-making-tool for the internationalization process of digital startups. Grounded in contingency theory, we draw on empirical data to develop the first MENA Digital Startup Environment Index (MDSEI) and apply it to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The final index framework fills a niche and supports researchers, entrepreneurs, and politicians that are depending on reliable comparative data on the favorability of the digital startup environments in the respective MENA countries.Aside from its practical relevance, the index can be replicated, modified and extended, also to make it applicable to other regions, which could especially support comparative studies. The presented methodological approach of the index framework is based on the managerial PESTLE tool, literature research, and a quantitative digital startup survey customizing the index to the target research area.The first application of the MDSEI revealed that within the analyzed sample, the UAE, as well as the KSA provide the most favorable digital startup environments followed by Lebanon. Morocco ranks last on the MDSEI, but it provides a solid business environment regardless. While Egypt's comparative advantages lie in the political and economic dimension, Jordan's selling points are its technological and legal environments.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias Fifka Professur für Betriebswirtschaftslehre Iman Hamadi Professur für Betriebswirtschaftslehre

How to cite

APA:

Fifka, M., & Hamadi, I. (2026). MENA Digital Startup Environment Index: Developing a decision-making tool for the internationalization of digital startups.

MLA:

Fifka, Matthias, and Iman Hamadi. MENA Digital Startup Environment Index: Developing a decision-making tool for the internationalization of digital startups. 2026.

BibTeX: Download