AWS, Oracle announce cloud, AI skills development initiatives in the Middle East – W.Media (2025)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced plans to train 2,500 software engineers across the Middle East in cloud skills, even as Oracle has announced plans to train 50,000 Saudi Arabians in Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills.

AWS will carry out the project in partnership with Manara, an education technology start-up. For this AWS would invest US$ 3.6 million over two years. 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.

Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director of Partner Management, EMEA, AWS said, “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.”

“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,” said Iliana Montauk, Founder and CEO of Manara.

According to research by Imarc, “Middle East public cloud market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 19.86 percent during​2025-2033​. The growing demand for specialized platforms that enable organizations to collect, store, analyze, and act upon data from IoT devices effectively is primarily driving the market growth across the country.”

Meanwhile, Oracle will collaborate with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National eLearning Center (NeLC) for its skills development initiative. MCIT and NeLC will introduce Oracle’s‘Mostaqbali’ (My Future) program to Saudi citizens, with special focus on women and early-career professionals. The program will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s digital talent pool as organizations in the country look to increasingly hire local talent to deploy new technologies and drive digital innovation and growth in line withSaudi Vision 2030.

“PwC estimates that by 2030, Artificial Intelligence will contribute US$135 billion to Saudi Arabia’s economy. At Oracle, we are committed to helping the Kingdom realize this major opportunity,” said Gary Miller, executive vice president, Oracle Customer Success Services. “Oracle is driving one of the fastest cloud region expansions in Saudi Arabia and simultaneously working to develop a strong local talent pool that can help local organizations tap into these resources and accelerate their transformations.”

“This collaboration will play a pivotal role in advancing efforts to expand our national digital capabilities,” said Safa Al-Rashed, Acting Deputy Minister for Future Capabilities and Jobs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. “It will strengthen national initiatives by providing cutting-edge training in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, while fostering innovation and equipping our citizens with skills required for jobsofthefuture.”

“The Mostaqbali initiative, delivered via FutureX and supported by our strategic partnerships, expands the impact of our national digital learning ecosystem bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity, and empowering Saudi talent to thrive in an AI-driven future,” said Dr. Hajar Binasfour, Deputy Director General for Empowerment at the National eLearning Center (NeLC).

And it’s not just these two tech giants who are investing in skills development in a region where they are at the forefront to building digital infrastructure. Last year, when Microsoft made a strategic investment into G42 last year, it also announced plans to support the development of a skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pool in UAE and the broader region with the investment of US$1 billion in a fund for developers. Google already has similar initiatives in place, with a US$15 million investment into the AI Opportunity Initiative for the Middle East & North Africa, that will provide essential AI skills, research funding and access to helpful AI products.

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