Lenovo Turkey General Manager Emre Hantaloğlu stated, “Currently, we are among the few countries in the world where computers are the cheapest. Price increases have always remained below inflation. In fact, there were times when prices did not rise at all. However, if you say purchasing power has dropped, I cannot disagree.”
In evaluating the market, Hantaloğlu noted, “The information technology (IT) market grew by 36% worldwide and 72% in Turkey between 2020 and 2023.” Lenovo Turkey, which has over 50% female employee representation, has been celebrating January 10, Working Journalists Day with female journalists for some time. As part of this tradition, a large group of female journalists gathered with Lenovo Turkey General Manager Emre Hantaloğlu, who shared data on the IT sector both globally and in Turkey, as well as expectations for the coming period.
Global and Turkish IT Market Growth
According to Hantaloğlu, the global IT market grew by 36% between 2020 and 2023, reaching a value of $2.5 trillion. By 2024, it is expected to reach around $2.8 trillion. During the same period, Turkey’s IT market grew by 72%, reaching $17 billion. Additionally, Turkey’s IT exports grew by 60%, reaching $2.4 billion, with the majority coming from software and services.
Turkey’s PC Market Shrinks by 14% in 2023
Globally, the PC market is projected to reach 260 million units annually by 2024. In Turkey, the market, which reached 3 million units in 2023, shrank by 14% last year, falling to around 2.5 million units.
Despite the market’s contraction, Hantaloğlu highlighted that Lenovo Turkey holds a 24% market share in the PC segment. “We have been the market leader for the past five years. Although the market has shrunk, we expect Lenovo Turkey to achieve a 2% growth in units and approximately 8% growth in revenue by 2024,” he said.
Competitive Pricing in Turkey Due to Exchange Rates
Commenting on pricing trends, Hantaloğlu explained that due to exchange rates, computer prices in Turkey remain lower compared to global averages. “Right now, Turkey is one of the countries where computers are the cheapest in the world. Price increases have consistently remained below inflation, and in some cases, prices didn’t increase at all. However, purchasing power has undeniably declined,” he remarked.
Hantaloğlu also pointed out that public spending cuts have significantly impacted government purchases, while high interest rates and challenges in accessing financing have affected private sector investments.
AI Projects Expected to Drive Growth in 2025
Looking ahead to 2025, Hantaloğlu shared an optimistic view, saying, “Although there is a pessimistic outlook for 2025, I believe such years often perform better than expected. Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, I am not overly pessimistic.” He emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in revitalizing the sector. “The global AI market is currently valued at $45 billion and is expected to reach $207 billion by 2030. Lenovo is making significant investments in AI technologies, and the Turkish government is also making substantial contributions.”
Hantaloğlu highlighted the ARF Supercomputer, developed in partnership with Lenovo, as a major achievement. “A $10 million investment was made in ARF, Turkey’s largest AI supercomputer. Recently, ARF achieved a remarkable leap in rankings, moving from 313th to 229th in general performance and breaking records on the Green 500 list by climbing from 360th to 26th place.”
He further explained that both public and private sectors are increasingly interested in AI technologies. “They recognize its importance and permanence. In 2025, we expect to see more AI projects across both sectors. Turkey is a strategic market for technology. We will continue to develop local projects by strengthening partnerships with our Turkish business collaborators. Our investments will include solutions tailored to the education sector and technological transformation programs for SMEs. Additionally, we aim to contribute to the local economy through projects that support our global production network.”
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök