Software engineer workforce in MENA region to receive extensive cloud training courtesy of Manara's $3.6 million deal with AWS.
MENA Region Aims to Become Major Tech Hub with AWS Partnership
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is set to position itself as a major technology hub in the coming decade, thanks to a new partnership between Manara, a tech talent development platform based in the region, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
In a significant move, Manara has secured a $3.6 million investment from AWS over the next two years. This investment will be used to train 2,500 software engineers, data scientists, and AI engineers in cloud and AI capabilities across the MENA region.
Iliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara, expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating that the Middle East is poised to become the next frontier for technology talent. This collaboration is part of a broader effort by AWS to invest in the region's technological capabilities, enhancing workforce skills and fostering a stronger tech ecosystem.
The training initiative will be delivered through Manara's proprietary education technology platform, with participants receiving AWS Certifications upon completion. Trained engineers can then access employment opportunities through Manara's hiring services, which are available to enterprise companies not only in MENA but also in Europe and North America.
AWS's investment in the MENA region comes at a time when the company has also announced a $5.3 billion investment in Saudi Arabia. This underscores AWS's commitment to supporting the growth of technology in the region.
Manara, founded by two female entrepreneurs, is backed by a number of high-profile investors, including Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Precursor Ventures, Neo Capital, Reid Hoffman, Eric Ries, Marc Benioff, Paul Graham, and Jessica Livingston.
This partnership reflects a strategic move to develop local talent and elevate the region's status as a competitive technology hub by leveraging AWS’s extensive cloud and AI platforms. By providing the necessary skills and opportunities, the initiative aims to build cloud expertise among software engineers, which is critical for accelerating digital transformation and innovation in MENA.
Data-and-cloud-computing capabilities will be enhanced in the MENA region due to the strategic partnership between Manara and technology giant Amazon Web Services (AWS), positioning the region as a major hub for tech talent development.
Leveraging AWS's extensive cloud and AI platforms, Manara aims to train 2,500 software engineers, data scientists, and AI engineers in cloud and AI capabilities across the MENA region over the next two years, fostering a strong tech ecosystem.
