Pakistani developers have achieved remarkable growth in global app downloads, reaching a staggering 4 billion downloads in 2022.
This substantial increase in rankings propelled Pakistan from the 27th to the 16th spot for app downloads in 2023, coinciding with a surge in IT exports from the country.
As reported by Arab News, 65 apps created by 24 Pakistani developers secured positions in the top 10 rankings in the gaming and apps category on both Play Store and App Store.
Google’s official statement highlighted that apps developed in Pakistan witnessed a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% from 2018 to 2020, leading to an extraordinary 4 billion downloads worldwide.
To further bolster the digital opportunities for Pakistani studios and developers, Google is expanding its support for the apps industry in Pakistan through initiatives like “Think Apps.”
Pakistan, the Land of Potential
Google’s Director for Pakistan, Farhan S. Qureshi, expressed confidence in Pakistan’s potential to be a significant player in shaping the global app economy.
He believes that events like Think Apps 2023 will empower local developers to create exceptional games and apps, fuel their growth, and expand globally with the aid of Google’s AI-powered solutions.
Google recently organized Think Apps in Lahore, marking Pakistan’s “first and biggest” offline event focused on apps and games. The event aimed to foster innovation and collaboration among developers in the country.
Growing IT Sector
During the first half of the current fiscal year (FY23), Pakistan’s IT exports surged by two percent, reaching $1.3 billion and accounting for 38% of the overall services’ export.
This significant growth was reported by Arif Habib, a leading Pakistani securities brokerage, investment banking, and research firm.
Google recently organized a landmark event in Lahore, Pakistan’s eastern city, focusing on offline apps and games. Over 500 developers and industry leaders gathered to explore ways to globalize Pakistani apps and games effectively.
Through such events, Google has collaborated with a total of 1,600 developers, supporting 50 early-stage gaming studios to compete on the global stage.
Moreover, they have upskilled over 5,000 Cloud developers and over 3,000 Android developers through community-led programs like Cloud Seekho S5 and Android Seekho S2.
These efforts are designed to provide local developers with in-depth knowledge and trends from global experts, fostering growth and innovation in the sector.
