Closing the Digital Skills Gap to Drive Regional Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping industries globally and is rapidly gaining momentum across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. However, the rapid advancement of technology brings with it the pressing need for a workforce equipped with the skills to meet evolving demands. The talent gap in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is not only a challenge for businesses struggling to find qualified employees but also poses a risk of exacerbating societal inequalities and limiting economic opportunities.

Recognizing this challenge, governments in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, have adopted ambitious national strategies—such as Vision 2030, UAE Centennial 2071, and Qatar Vision 2030—with ICT playing a pivotal role. These frameworks emphasize leveraging technology to drive economic diversification, innovation, and social development. However, their success hinges on building a robust ICT talent pool capable of supporting these transformations.

According to Gartner, IT spending in the region is projected to reach $230.7 billion by 2025, representing a 7.4% increase from 2024. This surge in investment underscores the urgency of closing the digital skills gap to maximize the return on technology investments. A skilled workforce will not only drive immediate financial benefits but also promote long-term economic resilience and social cohesion by fostering a better-educated and technologically adept population.

Addressing the digital skills gap is essential to ensure that the region’s ambitious visions are realized. By prioritizing education and training in ICT, MENA countries can harness the full potential of digital transformation, unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity while reducing disparities across society.While governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are driving digital transformation through ambitious national strategies, they cannot achieve this monumental task alone.

The private sector, with its resources and expertise, has a critical role in bridging the ICT talent gap. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) serve as a powerful mechanism to align academic institutions, government initiatives, and private sector demands, fostering educational ecosystems that meet both business and societal needs.Huawei, a global leader in ICT, exemplifies the private sector's role in addressing the talent gap. Recently, the company concluded its 2024-2025 Middle East and Central Asia (ME&CA) ICT Competition Regional Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event, held in collaboration with UNESCO IITE and supported by the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), King Saud University (KSU), and the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), highlighted Huawei's decade-long efforts through its ICT Academy in the region.The competition saw record participation, with over 31,000 student registrations from 640 universities and colleges across 19 countries, underscoring the rising interest in ICT careers among MENA youth.

Students from Jordan, Lebanon, and Qatar emerged as champions, showcasing the region’s burgeoning talent pool.Beyond celebrating past accomplishments, Huawei and its partners used the event to discuss future plans for nurturing ICT talent. The Huawei ICT Competition provides a platform for students to demonstrate their skills and gain industry exposure, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

By connecting students, educators, and governments with industry resources, Huawei is fostering an ecosystem that aligns education with market needs. Initiatives like these not only prepare the workforce for future challenges but also contribute to economic growth, technological advancement, and societal progress in the region.The success of Huawei's initiatives reflects the potential of PPPs in driving digital transformation. By working together, governments, private enterprises, and academic institutions can develop a robust ICT talent pipeline, ensuring that MENA countries remain competitive in the global digital economy.

This collaborative approach is essential to achieving national visions and creating opportunities for the region’s youth in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.Huawei ICT Academy’s 10th anniversary highlighted its significant role in accelerating the MENA region’s digital transformation. Over the past decade, the academy has equipped over 300,000 students with ICT skills, certified 35,000 professionals, and cultivated a network of 2,000 instructors, laying a strong foundation for regional technological advancement.

Looking ahead, Huawei launched the “T.H.E. GOLD Talent” program to address the demands of the AI-driven era. This initiative prioritizes advanced skills in next-generation technologies like 5G-A, cloud computing, and AI-based education. By providing specialized courses and immersive training, Huawei is preparing the region's talent to meet the complexities of the digital age.Aligned with national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071, Huawei's efforts are instrumental in shaping a workforce equipped to drive innovation, foster economic diversification, and support sustainable development.

Through strategic programs and partnerships, Huawei is enabling the MENA region to harness transformative technologies and unlock new opportunities in the global digital economy.Steven Yi, President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, reflected on the decade-long impact of the Huawei ICT Academy, emphasizing its pivotal role in fostering a deeper understanding of technology and its transformative potential. “We created the academy to foster a greater understanding of technology and the huge potential it has to transform the lives of individuals and nations for the better.

The impact it has had has far exceeded our expectations and we are proud of the many young people who have been upskilled and are now playing a critical role in helping to make a positive contribution to their nations,” Yi remarked.As technological advancements accelerate, Yi highlighted the importance of nurturing a talented workforce capable of leveraging this potential. “At Huawei, we have had a long-standing commitment to supporting countries in this regard and will continue to do so in the future.”

The remarkable achievements of the Huawei ICT Academy and its flagship ICT Competition underscore the transformative impact of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in bridging the digital skills gap. By equipping the youth with cutting-edge ICT expertise, such initiatives are not only shaping a future-ready workforce but also empowering nations to navigate the complexities of the digital era and achieve sustainable development goals.