Youth Tech Initiatives: Empowering Dubai’s Next Generation
In 2025, Dubai’s youth tech initiatives, like the Dubai Future Foundation’s One Million Arab Coders, trained 10,000 students, per government data. The 2024 Emirates Youth Professional School equipped 2,000 young Emiratis with AI and blockchain skills, aligning with the D33 Economic Agenda to double the economy by 2033. With 62% of the UAE population under 30, per 2024 Dubai Statistics Center data, youth are key to innovation.
Challenges persist. Only 15% of tech jobs are held by Emiratis, per a 2024 DIFC report, due to competition from expatriates. Funding for youth startups, at $100 million in 2024, is insufficient, per the Dubai Chamber. Access to mentorship is limited, with 20% of participants reporting no guidance, per a 2025 Emirates Foundation survey.
Dubai can expand by increasing funding, as planned for 2026 with a $200 million youth tech fund. Mentorship programs, like the 2024 Dubai Future Accelerators for 1,000 youth, can bridge gaps. Public-private partnerships, like Microsoft’s 2025 coding bootcamp, can scale training.
Empowering youth in tech ensures Dubai’s economic future. By investing in skills and support, the city can nurture a generation of innovators. As His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai said: “The Future Belongs To Those Who Can Imagine It, Design It, And Execute It. It Isn’t Something You Await, But Rather Create.”
Photo credits: Dubai Future Foundation.
Alexander Agafiev Macambira
Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.
