Amazon Web Services (AWS) has partnered with Manara, a social impact technology talent startup, to launch a major initiative aimed at training 2,500 software engineers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on cloud and AI skills. This initiative represents a $3.6 million investment by AWS over the next two years.
The collaboration is designed to upskill the region’s top software engineers, data scientists, and AI professionals, helping them acquire the cloud and AI expertise needed to excel in today’s digital economy. Both AWS and Manara believe that MENA is on the cusp of becoming a major technology hub in the next decade, further bolstered by AWS’s recent $5.3 billion investment in Saudi Arabia.
Iliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “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 accelerating the development of top tech talent across MENA, providing the skills and resources needed to succeed.”
Manara, founded in Silicon Valley by two female entrepreneurs, has quickly become a leading force in the region’s tech scene, supported by investors like Y Combinator and notable tech figures such as Reid Hoffman and Marc Benioff. The startup aims to bridge the talent gap between MENA and global opportunities while championing diversity and inclusion, especially among women in the tech industry.
Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Management, EMEA at AWS, highlighted the shared commitment to fostering cloud computing skills in the region. “AWS is committed to providing learners and organizations with the training and certifications needed to build cloud skills. In partnership with Manara, we are empowering communities to pursue careers in cloud computing and take advantage of the opportunities that generative AI brings.”
The initiative will offer 2,500 engineers training in AWS cloud services, enabling them to earn AWS Certifications and access valuable employment pathways in the tech industry. The training will be delivered through Manara’s proprietary education technology platform.
