Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: Amazon Web Services (AWS) teamed up with Manara, a social impact startup focused on tech talent in MENA, to launch a $3.6 million initiative aimed at training 2,500 software engineers across the region, including women in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The two-year program will provide cloud and AI training through Manara’s online platform, offering AWS Certifications and linking participants with job opportunities via Manara’s hiring services, according to a recent press release. The initiative targets top software engineers, data scientists, and AI professionals across MENA.

Iliana Montauk, CEO of Manara, said: “The Middle East is poised to become the next frontier for technology talent. Our partnership with AWS helps accelerate this momentum by equipping engineers with the skills they need to thrive.”

Backed by investors like Y Combinator and tech leaders including Reid Hoffman and Marc Benioff, Manara has built a reputation for connecting regional talent with global tech firms and championing diversity in the industry.

AWS, which recently committed $5.3 billion to expanding in Saudi Arabia, sees this initiative as part of a broader push to grow cloud skills globally. “Together with Manara, we’re preparing communities for the opportunities created by cloud computing and AI,” said Antonio Alonso Lopez, Director at AWS EMEA.