By Hoda EL Nahlawy, Communication Associate & Layal Wehbe, Project and Research Analyst, Youth Regional Portfolio, UNDP Arab States
From clicks to progress: Arab youth are leading the way to digitalization for a more sustainable future
August 11, 2024
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Half of the people on our planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57 percent by the end of 2030. The Arab region has the largest youth cohort between the ages of 15–29 making up around 30 percent of the population.[1] They constitute an unprecedented opportunity for their countries and the region.
Technology is a major contributor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), driving progress and innovation across various sectors. In the Arab States region, digital transformation has played a significant role in facilitating this progress. From enhancing healthcare and education systems to improving environmental sustainability and economic development, digital solutions have revolutionized traditional practices, leading to more efficient and effective outcomes. This rapid growth in digital infrastructure and technology adoption has enabled several Arab countries to address complex challenges, bridge gaps, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable development.
Last year, during the general assembly UNGA78 2023, UNDP launched an initiative “Digital for Sustainable Development” to foster sustainable development worldwide and advance the SDSG. The initiative launched a call to action to harness the power of inclusive digital transformation to accelerate progress in the Arab States region towards sustainable future, with the aim of building resilient societies.
Digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 percent of the 169 SDG targets while potentially reducing the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion. Digital technologies and data contribute to at least 70 percent of the 169 SDG targets, highlighting their broad applicability and transformative potential. By leveraging digital solutions, we can streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and reduce the cost of achieving these goals by up to USD 55 trillion, thereby accelerating sustainable development on a global scale.[1]
Although, globally, 80 percent of those aged 15 to 24 use the internet in 2023, disparities continue to emerge, with youth in low-income countries, women and urban populations having less access to the internet and digital skills compared to their counterparts.[2]
Arab States reflect a similar trend with 78 percent of those aged 15 to 24 being online—12 percentage points higher than the 66 percent usage rate among the rest of the population. The Arab States region has made significant steps in internet usage and digital inclusion, yet similarly, notable disparities persist. As of 2023, internet usage among women stands at 64 percent, compared to 74 percent for men. Yet despite this gap, the region has shown remarkable improvement in gender parity for internet use, with the score rising from 0.79 in 2019 to 0.87 in 2023. Similarly, a significant urban-rural divide remains, with 82 percent of urban residents using the internet in 2023, compared to just 51 percent in rural areas.[3] Moreover, the digital divide in the region may widen, with disparities in access and affordability exacerbated by the ongoing instability. In the Arab region, economic crises, conflicts, political instability, and natural disasters have significantly affected internet access mainly through damages to infrastructure, frequent power outages, and economic hardships.
The theme of the International Youth Day this year is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development” to celebrate the digital contributions of youth, who can inspire others to innovate and collaborate towards achieving sustainable development.
As we are celebrating today the International Youth Day, learn how youth across the Arab States region are leading the way to digitilization to leave no one behind and achieve the sustainable development goals across the region.
Libya
Libya is one of Africa’s youngest countries, with a median age of 27.
UNDP Libya, in partnership with Libyan Spider and with financial support from the European Union (EU), developed the Maharah Coding School initiative to support youth with technical skills in coding and as instruments of social and economic development through using a curriculum that addresses challenges like market entry and regulatory navigation. This initiative aims to prepare a new generation of young Libyan innovators that will be contributing to Libya's peace, stability, and prosperous future.
Sokaina Kashbour from Libya, a 19-year-old software engineering student, delved deeper into the realm of technology. She showcased during Maharah's Demo Day in Benghazi along with her team, "Wejha", the mobile app that aims to unlock opportunities through digital skill-sharing, empowering young minds like hers to discover and disseminate knowledge.
This initiative is key to investing in youth’s skills and well-being, and it has the potential to transform the nation's development.
Although Ibrahim Elmehdawi lost his eyesight at a young age due to an accident, he overcame the challenges he faced and followed his passion for learning coding through Maharah’s initiative. ” This initiative is an invaluable opportunity that allowed me to sharpen my practical skills and connect with a network of fellow coders.” - said Ibrahim.
Lebanon
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Bryan from Lebanon, a 22-year-old medical student, launched EduBolt, an ed-tech startup that connects students with qualified tutors for preparatory sessions or one-on-one sessions at affordable prices, offering learning opportunities anytime, anywhere. The aim of this initiative was to improve education for youth. He received significant training and procurement support through the YLP INC II initiative part of the regional UNDP Transformative Entrepreneurship Initiative.
The support proved to be a game-changer, providing them with the essential tools to develop the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool in Lebanon. These technological resources enabled them to make substantial progress through encouraging youth to learn and develop their skills. Bryan's initiative generated numerous full-time and part-time job opportunities for youth, with the startup now boasting a workforce of 70 full-time employees, in addition to 210 freelancers. His story shows that youth can have vital role in their societies and can enhance digitilization.
“Through Edubolt, our commitment is to transform education into a foundation for a brighter future, one of peace, innovation, and progress. Our goal is to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment that prepares students to become well-rounded, 21st-century citizens anchored in global values and ready to lead.”
Syria
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Haya Al Nabulsi presenting at the Mobile World Congress 2023 in Barcelona
Haya Al Nabulsi, 25 years old from Syria one of the participants in Women Innovators Programe (WIP2) launched a Syrian startup platform "Damazzle" to connect buyers and sellers directly, while reducing the high cost of commissions spent on intermediaries. The platform offers classified and featured ads, sliders, and photography services to facilitate the buying and selling process, and cut costs for the customers. As a Syrian startup, they faced challenges in introducing a new concept of an online classifieds platform and spreading the new culture of fulfilling needs through a mobile application, but Haya succeded to overcome those challenges implement her project.
Omar Bozo, 18 years old who studies Business Administration at the Arab International University and Informatics Engineering at the Syrian Virtual University launched the "Aqqemha" platform in 2020 by creating a Facebook group during the COVID-19 pandemic in March of that year. The aim of this platform was to gather and disseminate information about it and provide preventive measures in public places and public transportation. The initiative was developed by relying on material and in-kind contributions from the local community through social media platforms to provide healthcare services, especially medical oxygen via cylinders or generators. Moreover, the initiative formed a volunteer team of doctors to assist as many patients as possible without any financial costs in a country and community exhausted and struggling with various crises. Aqqemha was a long and challenging journey, working through crises like COVID-19 or the earthquake disaster, starting from distributing preventive measures like masks and sanitizers on the streets to becoming an association with staff and volunteers working around the clock on various initiatives and activities.
Another success story from Syria is Farah who founded an NGO “The Syrian Climate Pioneers foundation” that raises awareness about climate change, digitalization, green entrepreneurship, and green transition. which now has hundreds of members across Syria working on green initiatives.
Syrian youth are overcoming the challenges by innovating new ideas to address pressing societal issues.
On the regional level
UNDP works across the Arab region through its Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge project, SHABABEEK, to create an environment that supports young people to lead in developing viable sustainable solutions that tackle the most pressing challenges in their communities. The project seeks to highlight the aspirations and perspectives of youth and offer them opportunities to take on the role of innovative key actors in their societies. SHABABEEK collaborates with partners including governments, civil society organizations and the private sector to empower and invest in youth to involve them in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region and accelerate the progress.
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As part of the project’s efforts to empower youth, SHABABEEK launched in February 2024 a dedicated virtual space in the form of a digital platform-- the NextGenYouth Platform-- bringing together various elements of the youth innovation ecosystem. Designed to connect youths with national partners, including UNDP country offices, youth-serving organizations, incubators, and investors, the platform functions as a multifunctional virtual hub. It offers opportunities for networking, capacity building, and knowledge exchange and allows users to showcase their initiatives, start-ups and stories and, through its country window, provides a snapshot of youth activities and announcements at the national level, fostering a connected youth community.
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SHABABEEK’s project collaborated with Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park to launch the #Tech4Impact competition celebrating Youth International day. The call was open for youth-led startups in the ideation phase that have a digital component and aim for impactful change.
Ten shortlisted start-ups from five Arab countries (Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine and Syria) were provided technical guidance through online sessions and one on one mentorship modules through the Nextgenyouth platform. They will present their final innovative pitches online on August 12th and win in-kind travel sponsorship to a Global Tech Summit. Their ideas not only demonstrate creativity and technical skill but also address pressing challenges in the healthTech, greenTech and education sectors. By leveraging technology and digital solutions, these startups aim to create impactful, scalable solutions that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
In addition to that, UNDP’s initiative “Digital for Sustainable Development” organized this year ACT28 AI for climate Hackathon in partnership with Samsung Electronics MENA to support youth to implement their innovative initiatives.
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The three winning projects, Pestipilot AI from the UAE, Gamified AI Recycling Bin for Efficient Waste Segregation from Saudi Arabia, and Green Finance Navigator from Turkey were recognized and awarded for their innovative application of AI and other advanced technologies to address climate change challenges during ACT28 AI for Climate Hackathon
Pestipilot AI is an AI-powered drone designed for crop pesticide control. Utilizing advanced deep learning-based image classification, it identifies areas with poor crop quality caused by issues such as insect infestations or inappropriate pesticide use. The accompanying Pesticide Control App offers precise recommendations for pesticide usage, promoting optimal crop health. The app also provides transparent reports, aiding farmers in making informed decisions and ensuring compliance with agricultural regulations.
The Gamified AI Recycling Bin enhances waste sorting and recycling through AI-powered computer vision and a gamified reward system, fostering environmental sustainability and community engagement. The project includes waste containers equipped with advanced computer vision systems, a gamified mobile app for user engagement, and partnerships with local municipalities and recycling facilities.
Green Finance Navigator is an innovative platform aimed at streamlining and enhancing climate finance and sustainable investment processes. The solution addresses critical challenges in efficiently allocating funds to high-impact climate projects, providing reliable and actionable information for sustainable investments, and offering comprehensive tools for project management and stakeholder collaboration.
Those innovative ideas could promote the use of AI and digitization to combat climate change and achieve sustainable development.
Youth leading the way to digitilization
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In the face of global challenges, youth in the Arab region are not just adapting to the digital age—they're leading it. Through innovative solutions and a commitment to sustainability, they are driving significant progress toward the SDGs. Their efforts demonstrate that with the right tools and opportunities, youth can transform challenges into opportunities, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region. Youth have the power to be change-makers in their communities, leading positive change and development and ensuring that no one is left behind.
[[1] World Population Prospects 2023, Population Division, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat1] ITU, UNDP. 2023. SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda.
[2] ITU, Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures 2023
[3] ITU, Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures 2023
[4] ITU, Measuring digital development: Facts and Figures 2023