Cloud services giant Amazon Web Services (AWS), has announced a collaboration with Manara, a social impact startup dedicated to unlocking the untapped potential of top technology talent in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), including women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Together they say they are launching an ambitious initiative aimed at training 2,500 software engineers across the region in cloud skills. This will involve an investment of US$3.6 million over two years by AWS.
Both companies say they believe this region is poised to become a major technology hub in the coming decade. AWS points out that it also recently announced a US$5.3 billion investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Founded in Silicon Valley by two female entrepreneurs, Manara has quickly emerged as a leading force in the region's tech community, backed by top investors. Manara say its 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.
The joint initiative will focus on providing 2,500 software engineers with training in cloud computing and AWS services to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in today's tech-driven economy. The training will be delivered through Manara’s proprietary education technology platform. Engineers will receive 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.
