Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) has entered into a collaboration with Manara, the social impact startup dedicated to unlocking the untapped potential of top technology talent in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).
The collaboration aims to train 2,500 software engineers, data scientists, and AI engineers across the region on cloud and AI skills with an investment of $3.6 million over two years by AWS. The training will be provided through Manara’s proprietary education technology platform. This highlights both parties’ shared commitment to fostering innovation and driving social change.
Both companies believe this region is poised to emerge as a major technology hub in the coming decade. Recently, AWS has announced a $5.3 billion investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of its dedication to cultivating the next generation of cloud professionals.
“The Middle East is poised to become the next frontier for technology talent, and Manara is at the forefront of this movement. Through our collaboration with AWS, we are doubling down on our commitment to accelerate the development of top tech talent across MENA with the skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s digital economy.”
Manara, founded in Silicon Valley by two visionary female entrepreneurs, has quickly emerged as a key player in the region’s tech community, backed by top investors including Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Precursor Ventures, Neo Capital, and notable figures such as Reid Hoffman, Eric Ries, Marc Benioff, Paul Graham, and Jessica Livingston.
Manara’s mission is not only to bridge the gap between top tech talent and global opportunities but also to champion diversity and inclusion, particularly among women throughout the region.
Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Management, EMEA, AWS, added that, “AWS is committed to providing learners and organizations with high-quality training and certifications to build and validate cloud skills. Together with outstanding partners like Manara, we are equipping communities with the expertise required to pursue careers in cloud computing and capitalize on the tremendous opportunity that generative AI represents. We look forward to working together to cultivate the next generation of cloud professionals in MENA.”
After completion, engineers will get AWS Certifications and pathways to meaningful employment opportunities. Enterprise companies in the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and North America will be able to access the trained and qualified engineers via Manara’s hiring services. For years, Manara has been teaming up with Fortune 500 companies to develop a pipeline of computer scientists in this region.
