Dubai — In a historic first for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, YouTube and Creators HQ are joining forces to open the region's first-ever YouTube Academy in Dubai. The program will equip regional creators with future-proof skills, professional industry knowledge, and tools to establish sustainable digital careers.
As reported by the UAE Government Media Office, the academy is aligned with the country's greater vision for a strengthened digital content economy. It will provide specialist training programs for analytics, monetisation strategies, and community-building, all areas essential to creators looking to succeed on international platforms.
Alia AlHammadi, UAE Government Media Office Vice Chairperson and 1Billion Followers Summit CEO, highlighted the significance of the program: "This Academy will empower creators with the information needed to build a secure future, while spreading the diversity and richness of content of the region."
Hands-on training will be conducted by YouTube specialists in workshops, and upcoming programs will feature modules on AI use for content creation as well as special programs for driving the global impact of Arabic content.
Javid Aslanov, YouTube MENA's head, stated: "Creators in the region are the future of entertainment and the core of the creator economy. This partnership ensures creators are enabled with the necessary resources to turn their passion into sustainable livelihoods."
The new launch takes place when YouTube is riding a surge of growth in the region. In May 2024, the platform had more than 20 million users in Saudi Arabia and 7.5 million in the UAE aged 18 and older. The UAE-based channels that are earning seven-figure revenues locally have increased 15 percent year over year, with even more dramatic increases in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
With the YouTube Academy's launch in Dubai, the MENA creator economy will receive a significant boost, supporting innovation, financial potential, and cultural impact on an international level.
