March 20, 2025
Empowering MENA Youth, Enabling Tomorrow: A Human-Centric Approach to Regional Development
March 19, 2025
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region boasts one of the most potent demographic enablers of our time. Approximately 140 million people aged under 30 represent a quarter of the region’s population . This generation will reshape industries, accelerate economic transformation, and greatly contribute to global and national priorities. Today’s MENA youth are digital natives, entrepreneurs, and pragmatists—not waiting for change, but actively creating it. From AI-driven logistics to fintech innovation, they will drive the region’s trajectory and offer a blueprint for inclusive growth in an era of automation and digitalization.
However, the success of this demographic dividend is not currently guaranteed. Realizing it demands bold leadership, visionary policies, and a collective commitment to empower a generation that is hungry to shape the future. For business leaders and policymakers alike, the imperative is clear: invest in youth today or risk tomorrow.
The Youth Imperative as a Catalyst for Transformation
The numbers tell a story of urgency. As of 2023, 63% of Saudi nationals were under the age of 30 , nearly half of UAE residents fall between the ages of 15 and 35 , while in Egypt, youth constitute about 60% of the population. This generation is better educated, more globally connected, and more entrepreneurial than any before it. Yet, outdated systems across the region and beyond risk countries failing to leverage this dividend.
Three critical realities define this moment.
First, technology is an equalizer, dismantling traditional barriers and enabling youth to access unprecedented opportunities. AI, blockchain, and fintech are not just revolutionizing industries; they are unlocking entirely new ones. In the UAE, AI sandboxes are creating a pro-business ecosystem, supporting youth-led startups tackling existential challenges such as sustainable agriculture. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s e-sports and gaming industry, projected to contribute $13.3 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030 , highlights how young innovators are shaping non-traditional economic pillars.
Second, youth are propelling MENA’s shift from oil dependency to knowledge-driven industries. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s sustainable tech hubs exemplify this transition, with young entrepreneurs leading initiatives in smart manufacturing, renewable energy, and AI-powered logistics. Fluent in digital tools and utilising them as “natural” extensions to human capability, they are not just adapting but actively shaping transformation, positioning themselves as drivers of resilience. Recognizing this momentum, initiatives like the Youth Impact Studio, launched by PepsiCo, are equipping young innovators with funding and incubation to develop scalable climate solutions, reinforcing the region’s drive toward sustainability and resilience.
Third, this generation possesses a unique dual fluency—they are deeply connected to their local communities while maintaining a mature global outlook. With 34% of youth in the region deeply familiar with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, compared to 23% globally, they bring a higher level of awareness and action to critical issues such as climate change, education reform, and social equity. Projects like AI-powered water conservation in Jordan and fintech innovations empowering Egypt’s populations with first time access to banking services show how youth are turning local challenges into scalable, globally relevant solutions.
The Business Case for Investing in Youth
Scaling this potential requires systemic shifts. Governments, businesses, and educational institutions must work together to create systems that empower young people and transform challenges into opportunities. This requires targeted investments in education, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement.
Education systems must prioritize 21st Century skills such as AI literacy, cybersecurity, and green engineering. Businesses can bridge the skills gaps by funding vocational training, sponsoring hackathons, and forming university partnerships that prepare youth for the demands of the digital economy.
Entrepreneurship serves as a critical lifeline in a region where youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, reaching 24.4% across the MENA region as of 2023. Startups like UAE’s Tabby, Saudi Arabia’s Tamara, and Egypt’s Swvl, one of the region’s five unicorns, illustrate how access to mentorship, regulatory flexibility, and venture capital can unlock scalable solutions. Governments must reduce bureaucracy and incentivize private-sector collaboration to nurture ecosystems where youth-led ventures thrive, from AI-driven food security platforms to fintech disrupting traditional finance.
Simultaneously, the AI revolution presents unparalleled opportunities for youth to address critical issues such as water scarcity, food security, and renewable energy transitions. At WEF Davos this year, discussions on AI’s role in agriculture highlighted how companies, including PepsiCo, are supporting farmers in developing new technology that leverages AI to enhance crop yields, optimize resource use, and strengthen global food security. However, without thoughtful governance, AI risks widening inequalities. Governments and businesses must collaborate to ensure equitable access to AI-driven tools while providing reskilling opportunities for workers whose jobs are impacted by automation.
Governments need to invest in digital infrastructure. Policies must incentivize private-sector youth hiring and support youth-led ventures. Educational institutions should evolve into agile partners offering micro-credentials, hybrid learning, and lifelong upskilling to ensure graduates are competitive in an evolving job market.
The Stakes Could Not Be Higher
