Manara, a platform focused on developing tech talent in the Middle East and North Africa, has entered into a $3.6 million partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to train 2,500 software engineers across the region.
The collaboration aims to upskill top software engineers, data scientists, and AI engineers in the region with cloud and AI capabilities, positioning MENA as a major technology hub in the coming decade. This partnership follows AWS’s recent $5.3 billion investment announcement in Saudi Arabia.
Founded in Silicon Valley by two female entrepreneurs, Manara has established itself as an important player in this space. The company is backed by prestigious investors including Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Precursor Ventures, Neo Capital, as well as notable individuals such as Reid Hoffman, Eric Ries, Marc Benioff, Paul Graham, and Jessica Livingston.
“The Middle East is poised to become the next frontier for technology talent, and Manara is at the forefront of this movement,” said Iliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara. “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.”
The training initiative will be delivered through Manara’s proprietary education technology platform, with participants receiving AWS Certifications and pathways to meaningful employment opportunities. Enterprise companies in MENA, Europe, and North America will be able to access trained and qualified engineers through Manara’s hiring services.
Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Management, EMEA at AWS, commented, “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.”
Omar AlSakka, a graduate of the initiative, shared his experience: “This program has really given me the confidence and expertise to pursue roles in AWS services and cloud computing.”
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