Village Capital, in partnership with Moody’s Foundation, has launched Digital Upskilling MENA, a six-month program designed to train 1,000 individuals in critical AI and digital skills. The initiative will operate across Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, targeting women, youth, migrants, and small business owners.
Quick Facts
- Training 1,000 learners across MENA
- Focus on in-demand AI and digital skills
- Operating in Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and KSA
- Leverages four local support organizations
Building on Past Success
The new program directly follows the successful implementation of Village Capital’s Tech Pathways MENA program, which was supported by Google.org and saw over 10,000 course completions in the region. A key insight from that initiative was the need to combine technical skills training with localized support systems to maximize learner impact.
Digital Upskilling MENA will be delivered by four Business Support Organizations (BSOs) that are alumni of the Tech Pathways program: Career180, Eitesal NGO, Startup Maroc, and Jobs for Humanity. Their prior experience is expected to provide a strong foundation for the new cohort.
A Hyper-Local Delivery Model
The program employs a dual approach: the four BSOs will directly train the 1,000 learners while also receiving targeted mentorship to enhance their own capabilities in program management and outcome evaluation. This strategy aims to both scale the training and strengthen the local ecosystem for sustained impact.
“One of the key insights we gained from working across the ecosystem is that learners achieve the greatest impact when technical training is paired with ongoing guidance, community support, and clear pathways to employment opportunities,” said Mohamed Sami Fathalla, Project and Expansion Lead at Career 180. “These lessons are shaping how we approach the Digital Upskilling MENA program.”
Meeting the AI Challenge
The initiative arrives as AI continues to fundamentally alter economies and job markets, making digital proficiency more critical than ever. The program aims to equip the region’s workforce with the necessary tools to adapt to this shift.
Atsi Sheth, President of the Moody’s Foundation Board, commented on the program’s timeliness. “AI is reshaping economies, and the pace of change is accelerating. We’re excited to support a program that empowers workers with the skills and capabilities they need to meaningfully participate in an AI-driven economy.”
About Village Capital
Village Capital is a global leader in impact investing, helping early-stage startups access the type of social and financial capital they need to grow – reshaping the supply and demand sides of capital flows as a result. Since 2009, Village Capital has directly supported more than 2,100 impact startups in 70 countries. Together, these founders have raised over USD 9.6B across economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to essential services.
Source: Zawya
