Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced a strategic collaboration with Manara, a socially‑driven startup dedicated to unlocking untapped technical talent in the Middle East and North Africa—including a focus on women in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Together, AWS and Manara will invest $3.6 million over two years to train 2,500 software engineers across the region in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
The joint program aims to address the growing demand for cloud and AI expertise by combining AWS’s global training resources with Manara’s best‑in‑class technical education platform. Participants will gain hands‑on experience with AWS services, earn official AWS certifications, and access job placement pathways through Manara’s hiring network, which spans MENA, Europe, and North America.
AWS and Manara believe the MENA region is poised to become a key global technology hub over the next decade. AWS recently committed $5.3 billion in new investments in Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its long‑term dedication to the region. Manara—backed by Y Combinator, Seedcamp, Precursor Ventures, Neo Capital, and luminaries such as Reid Hoffman, Eric Ries, Marc Benioff, Paul Graham, and Jessica Livingston—has already collaborated with Fortune 500 companies to build a robust network of cloud‑skilled engineers.
Eliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara, stated: “The MENA region is set to become the next powerhouse of tech talent, and Manara will be at the forefront of this transformation. Our partnership with AWS doubles down on our commitment to rapidly upskill the region’s top developers, equipping them with the cloud and AI expertise they need to thrive in today’s digital economy.”
Antonio Alonso Lopez, Head of Partners for AWS EMEA, added: “AWS is committed to delivering high‑quality training and certification programs that empower learners and businesses to adopt cloud and generative AI technologies. By working with world‑class partners like Manara, we’ll give the next generation of cloud professionals in MENA the skills and opportunities they need to succeed.”
Program Highlights
- Comprehensive Cloud & AI Curriculum: Hands‑on labs covering core AWS services, AI/ML foundations, and generative AI use cases.
- AWS Certification Tracks: Preparation for AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, and AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty.
- Career Pathways: Guaranteed interviews and hiring events with regional and global employers via Manara’s talent platform.
- Inclusive Outreach: Targeted scholarships for women and underrepresented groups in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Manara’s technical education portal will deliver all training modules, assessments, and certification prep. Graduates will receive AWS badges and digital credentials, while companies in MENA, Europe, and North America can tap into this newly certified talent pool via Manara’s recruitment services. Manara alumni like Omar Elsakka report that the program “gave me the confidence and hands‑on expertise to land roles in AWS services and cloud engineering.”
This initiative builds on AWS’s global skills programs and underscores both organizations’ shared mission to accelerate social impact and digital transformation through cloud and AI literacy.
