AWS and e& Launch AI Nation to Upskill 30,000 UAE Professionals
▼ Summary
– AWS and e& have launched the “AI Nation – Afaaq” programme to train 30,000 individuals in AI and cloud computing as part of their $1 billion strategic alliance.
– The initiative will provide 30,000 sponsored vouchers for AWS certifications, including the AI Practitioner and Machine Learning Engineer – Associate levels.
– Participants will access AWS Skill Builder online learning and live “Cloud Coach” sessions to prepare for their certification exams through the e& Academy.
– The programme supports the UAE Centennial 2071 vision and addresses a regional AI talent gap, with 46% of UAE organizations citing a shortage of AI expertise.
– This collaboration aims to build a future-ready workforce and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global technology hub in the digital economy.
A major new partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and e& is set to dramatically advance the United Arab Emirates’ digital capabilities. The nationwide “AI Nation – Afaaq” programme was officially launched at GITEX Global 2025 with the ambitious goal of training a total of 30,000 UAE professionals in the critical fields of artificial intelligence and cloud computing. This large-scale initiative is a direct component of the broader $1 billion strategic alliance the two companies formed back in 2024, signaling a deep, long-term commitment to the region’s technological future.
The program will be administered through the e& Academy, focusing on creating a workforce prepared for the demands of tomorrow. To achieve this, AWS is providing a significant number of sponsored certification vouchers. The breakdown includes 25,000 vouchers for the AWS Certified AI Practitioner credential and an additional 5,000 for the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate level. Beyond the exam fees, all participants will receive full access to the AWS Skill Builder, a comprehensive digital learning environment. They will also benefit from live, interactive “Cloud Coach” sessions designed to offer direct guidance and support as they prepare for their certification tests.
Harrison Lung, who serves as the Group Chief Strategy Officer for e&, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the project. He stated that the partnership with AWS demonstrates a shared dedication to cultivating the next wave of UAE talent. By merging the global training prowess of AWS with e&’s deep local market knowledge, the program ensures that learners throughout the nation are equipped to succeed and lead in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
Echoing this sentiment, Madhavi Reddy, the Managing Director for AWS in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, highlighted the program’s accessibility. She noted that the collaboration with e& Academy is a powerful mechanism for delivering world-class digital training on a national scale. Together, the companies are actively helping to build the highly skilled workforce that is absolutely essential for sustaining the UAE’s ongoing digital transformation journey.
This initiative is a direct contribution to the UAE Centennial 2071 vision, which aims to establish a diversified, knowledge-based economy for the long term. It also tackles a pressing regional challenge identified in a 2024 IDC report. That research found that a significant 46% of UAE organisations consider a shortage of in-house AI expertise to be a primary obstacle preventing wider adoption of the technology. By empowering 30,000 individuals with advanced cloud and AI skills, AWS and e& are working to solidify the UAE’s standing as a leading global technology hub. This effort is fundamentally about enabling both citizens and businesses to drive innovation and enhance their competitiveness within the global digital economy.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
