4 Tasks Facing MENA Countries to Bridge the Digital Divide

A major report recently released by the World Bank, titled “Embracing and Shaping Change: Human Development for the Middle East and North Africa in Transition,” reveals that the region is more vulnerable to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) than many other regions, including Latin America, South Asia, and even parts of Europe and Central Asia.

This is attributed to a combination of factors, including a tech-savvy youth population, ambitious national digital strategies, significant investments in digital infrastructure, education, and inclusivity.

In some of the region’s most dynamic economies, such as the United Arab Emirates, up to 33% of occupations are classified as highly vulnerable to AI risks—among the highest rates globally. In Saudi Arabia, women comprise 51% of the technology workforce.

The Skills Employers Are Looking For

The key point here is that this digital wave demands a new set of skills, and employers across the region are in dire need of digital talent. A recent study, “Green and Digital Skills: A Path to Jobs in the MENA Region,” highlights this urgent need, revealing that between 2022 and 2023, nearly one in three jobs advertised online in the region required at least one digital skill.

And it’s not just tech companies that are making digital skills essential. They are now critical in finance, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and even agriculture. While the demand for coding, programming, and computer science skills is soaring, the need runs deeper. The study indicates that nearly a quarter (23%) of digital jobs in the region now require specific artificial intelligence skills.

In another region-specific study on the digital skills required for jobs, an analysis of online job postings on platforms like Lightcast and LinkedIn indicated that AI talent recruitment in Saudi Arabia was projected to reach nearly 29% of total employment in 2024. This should come as no surprise, given that the Kingdom attracted over $40 billion in foreign direct investment from major AI and cloud computing companies (Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Nvidia, Huawei, Oracle, and others) in the same year.

The Digital Skills Gap: A Growing Concern

Unfortunately, the demand for digital and AI skills far exceeds the supply. Surveys show that nearly 70% of CEOs in the region consider the lack of basic digital skills a major threat to their businesses. Meanwhile, the region has seen little change in education and training services to meet the rapidly evolving demand for digital skills.

For example, in a recent survey of young people in Egypt (aged 17-34), 97% said that digital literacy is just as important as traditional literacy skills (forthcoming). Meanwhile, 63% said that digital skills are only available to those with a master’s degree. In Morocco, the new National Digital Strategy aims to significantly increase the number of digitally skilled individuals each year, targeting the development of 50,000 talents annually by 2026 and 100,000 by 2030. This initiative was launched to support the government’s digital transformation efforts and the planned Regional Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap

In light of the above, what can countries in the Middle East and North Africa do to bridge the digital skills gap?

Make digital skills essential: Digital skills should be viewed as essential, not optional. By introducing digital skills early in life (primary or secondary school), education systems will equip a much larger segment of students with the necessary digital skills and adaptability.

Facilitate the creation of an integrated skills ecosystem: Governments should consider facilitating the creation of an integrated digital skills ecosystem, rather than simply providing training services.

Provide rapid skills development solutions: These could take the form of short-term courses, boot camps, e-learning programs, and cumulative skills certifications that are customizable and can be provided “as needed.”

Better understand the supply and demand gaps in digital skills. To explore the use of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in job creation in the region, a forthcoming study, “Assessing the Digital Skills Needed for Jobs in the Middle East and North Africa,” will identify both the supply and demand sides of digital skills. This will help countries in the region understand what employers want and what students are learning.

The study also highlights the importance of identifying in-demand skills, organizing training camps, and leveraging partnerships (such as AWS Educate and Code.org) to develop curricula and connect students with high-demand technology jobs.

The Future of Work is Digital

With the diversification and innovation of economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, digital and AI skills are emerging as new employment tools. These skills not only promise better job opportunities but also hold the potential to unlock economic growth and resilience in a region undergoing radical transformation. Furthermore, the region has a real opportunity to lead in a human-centered digital/AI transformation, rather than one where technology replaces people.

To this end, digital skills will be crucial. For job seekers, investors, and policymakers, the message is clear: the future of work in the region is digital, and it is time to invest in digital skills now.
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