7 Best Phone Number Databases for Middle East and Africa in 2026

SyncGTM is the strongest option for MEA phone coverage because waterfall enrichment across 50+ providers is the only way to achieve acceptable coverage in a region where no single database dominates. SyncGTM queries global providers first, then regional MEA specialists, filling gaps that any individual source misses.

For GCC outreach, the waterfall might query Cognism first for phone-verified numbers, then Apollo for additional coverage, then regional providers for contacts that global databases miss entirely. For South African and Nigerian contacts, the sequence can be customized to prioritize providers with local data partnerships. This layered approach consistently delivers 2-3x more MEA phone numbers than any single provider.

At $99/mo with no per-seat pricing, SyncGTM costs less than a single month of ZoomInfo while querying more data sources for MEA specifically. All enriched data syncs to your CRM via native integrations. For teams building MEA outbound programs, waterfall enrichment is not optional — it is the only viable strategy for this data-scarce region.

Cognism includes Middle Eastern coverage within its EMEA data infrastructure. UAE, Israel, and South African contacts benefit from Diamond Data phone verification — the same human-verified approach that makes Cognism the leader in European phone data. GCC coverage is growing, with UAE and Saudi Arabia as the strongest sub-markets.

GDPR-grade data protection standards are applied globally, which aligns with the UAE's 2021 Data Protection Law and South Africa's POPIA. DNC screening covers applicable Middle Eastern and African registries. For enterprise teams already using Cognism for European outreach, adding MEA territories requires no additional vendor — just expanded targeting within the existing contract.

African coverage outside South Africa is limited. Nigerian, Kenyan, and other Sub-Saharan African markets have minimal phone data in Cognism's database. For GCC and South African phone outreach, Cognism offers the highest accuracy available. For broader MEA coverage, combine Cognism with regional specialists or use SyncGTM waterfall enrichment.

Apollo.io includes MEA phone data within its 275M+ global database. UAE and South Africa are the strongest MEA markets in Apollo's coverage, with direct dials available for tech, finance, and professional services contacts. Saudi Arabian coverage is growing but thinner than UAE data.

Phone accuracy for MEA contacts is lower than US or European data — expect 40-55% reach rates versus 70-80% for North American numbers. Apollo's advantage is the bundled approach: phone data, email, intent signals, and sequences all included at $49/mo. For teams entering MEA markets, Apollo provides enough data to test phone outreach without a large financial commitment.

Sub-Saharan African coverage outside South Africa is minimal. Apollo is best as a starting point for MEA phone outreach or as one layer in a waterfall enrichment strategy. The no-annual-contract Basic plan lets you evaluate MEA phone data quality before committing to more expensive regional providers.

Lusha provides global phone lookups that include growing MEA coverage. The Chrome extension works on LinkedIn profiles regardless of location — if a UAE or South African prospect has a Lusha-verified phone number, it appears instantly. Israel coverage is particularly strong given Lusha's Tel Aviv headquarters and local data network.

UAE and Israeli direct dials are Lusha's strongest MEA markets. Saudi, Qatari, and broader GCC coverage is available but thinner than regional specialists. South African coverage is reasonable for enterprise contacts. Sub-Saharan African data is minimal.

At $49/mo for Pro (480 credits), Lusha makes sense for reps who occasionally need MEA phone numbers alongside global prospecting. The credit-based model means each MEA phone reveal costs the same as a US reveal — but coverage gaps mean more credits are wasted on contacts that return no data. For dedicated MEA outreach, a specialist provider or waterfall approach offers better ROI.

ZoomInfo includes MEA data within its global database, with enterprise-grade coverage for UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. The bundled intelligence layer — intent data, technographics, and org charts — adds context that regional specialists lack. For multinational companies with MEA territories alongside US and European coverage, ZoomInfo avoids the need for a separate regional data provider.

Phone accuracy for MEA contacts is moderate — stronger for multinational companies with MEA offices than for local businesses. UAE and South African enterprise contacts show the best direct dial coverage. Saudi, Qatari, and Nigerian data is growing but not as deep as regional specialists.

At $15,000+/yr, ZoomInfo is expensive for teams focused primarily on MEA. The ROI calculation works for global teams that use ZoomInfo across multiple regions and need MEA as one territory among many. For MEA-first teams, the per-covered-contact cost is too high compared to regional alternatives or waterfall enrichment.

Global Intel is a MEA-specialist data provider offering verified phone numbers for decision-makers across UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and other key Middle Eastern markets. Every contact is sourced from trusted databases and verified, with segmentation available by country, industry, job title, company size, and revenue.

GCC coverage is Global Intel's core strength. The provider maintains local data partnerships and verification processes specific to Middle Eastern markets — something global providers cannot match. Phone numbers include direct dials and mobile numbers for C-suite, VP, and director-level contacts across finance, real estate, technology, oil and gas, and government sectors.

Pricing is custom and based on the volume and specificity of data requested. Global Intel operates more like a data broker than a SaaS platform — you specify your target audience, they deliver a verified list. This model works for targeted campaigns but not for ongoing, self-serve prospecting. For teams running specific GCC outreach campaigns, Global Intel provides the deepest verified phone data available.

DataCaptive offers Middle East and Africa email and phone databases with 2M+ verified contacts. The provider claims 95% accuracy rates for custom-built lists, with data segmented by country, industry, job function, and company demographics. MEA coverage includes UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya.

The list-building model lets you specify exact targeting criteria and receive a custom dataset with phone numbers, emails, and company information. This approach works well for teams running targeted MEA campaigns against specific industries or personas. Data is delivered via CSV or direct CRM import.

The 95% accuracy claim should be verified against your specific segment — accuracy varies by country and industry. Phone numbers for UAE and South African enterprise contacts are generally reliable, while Nigerian and Kenyan data requires additional verification. DataCaptive is best used as one data source within a broader MEA outreach strategy, combined with a global provider for overlap verification.