$3.6M Initiative to Boost Cloud Skills in MENA

• AWS is investing $3.6 million over two years to train 2,500 software engineers in cloud computing and AI skills across the MENA region.
• Manara’s edtech platform will deliver AWS certification training while connecting graduates with employment opportunities through regional hiring partners.
• The initiative aims to position MENA as a global technology hub while promoting diversity in tech, with particular emphasis on advancing opportunities for women.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Y Combinator-backed edtech startup Manara have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at transforming the tech landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The collaboration features a substantial $3.6 million investment from AWS over the next two years. This funding will support comprehensive training for 2,500 software engineers across the region.

The initiative follows AWS’s earlier $5.3 billion investment in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to developing tech infrastructure in the region.

Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Management for EMEA at AWS, emphasized the importance of this partnership in preparing regional talent for emerging opportunities.

“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,” Lopez stated.

The program’s primary focus is to provide specialized training in cloud computing and AI skills. Participants will gain valuable AWS certifications through Manara’s established education technology platform.

Beyond technical training, the initiative aims to connect talent with employment opportunities. Manara’s hiring services will facilitate connections between newly trained engineers and companies operating throughout the MENA region.

Iliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential impact on regional talent development.

“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,” Montauk said.

Founded by Iliana Montauk and Laila Abudahi, Manara has established itself as a leading force in regional tech education. The Silicon Valley-based startup specializes in accelerating careers for computer science and AI professionals in MENA.

Manara places particular emphasis on improving diversity and inclusion in the tech sector. The company has made significant efforts to increase opportunities for women in technology throughout the region.

The startup’s impressive list of partnerships includes tech giants such as Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. These collaborations have strengthened Manara’s position in connecting MENA talent with global tech opportunities.

With backing from prestigious investors including Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Precursor Ventures, and Neo Capital, Manara has built a robust platform. This infrastructure helps both companies and governments develop engineering talent and build sustainable tech ecosystems.

The AWS-Manara partnership represents a significant step toward establishing MENA as a globally recognized technology hub. By investing in local talent, both organizations aim to drive innovation and positive social change throughout the region.

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