Saudi Arabia and Snap Partner to Train 20,000 Digital Talents by 2030

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)  and Snap Inc.  have signed a strategic partnership on the sidelines of the LEAP 2026, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building a global digital economy and enhancing the readiness of national talents for the jobs of future. The Agreement aims to equip more than 20,000 Saudi talents with digital skills by 2030, in collaboration with the Suadi Digital Academy, as the implementing partner.

The agreement will establish a long-term framework for collaboration focused on launching an integrated digital innovation ecosystem. The partnership will support talent development, drive the digital economy growth, and promote digital trust, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 goals and strengthening the Kingdom’s digital economy.

This partnership comes at a time when the Kingdom’s digital sector is experiencing rapid growth, driven by significant investments in advanced technologies and national talent development. Building on its strong presence and continued investments in the Kingdom, where Saudi Arabia represents one of Snap’s largest markets globally with over 26 million monthly active Snapchat users, Snap will work alongside MCIT to develop specialized programs that prepare the next generation of Saudi talents. These programs will equip participants with the skills needed to contribute to the growth of the digital economy across technology, digital marketing, content creation, and augmented reality.

The Digital Innovation Ecosystem serves as an umbrella framework built around three key pillars: the Center of Excellence for talent development, the Innovation Center for digital economy enablement, and the Digital Sustainability Initiative to promote digital trust and well-being through collaborative programs targeting various segments of society.

Under the Center of Excellence, the two parties will launch a range of training and professional development programs designed to support Saudi talents across various stages of their career journey, from university students and graduates to professionals in digital marketing and innovation.

These programs include:

• Snap Digital Academy: An in-person Arabic-language training program designed to enhance the skills of digital marketing professionals in campaign management and performance measurement, culminating in professional certification.
• Snap Virtual Lens Challenge: A training program that enables participants to explore augmented reality technologies and learn lens design using Lens Studio through self-paced learning and live workshops, helping them develop practical skills and transform their ideas into engaging interactive experiences.
• Snap Graduate Program: A hands-on training program that provides graduates with practical work experience, career mentorship, and exposure to a technology-driven work environment, enhancing their job-market readiness and opening pathways to opportunities within Snap or its partner network.

Through the Innovation Center, the two parties will collaborate on initiatives designed to accelerate digital economy growth, empower creators and entrepreneurs, and foster innovation across the Kingdom.

Among these initiatives is the Saudi Digital Success Stories on Snap program, which will showcase the journeys of Saudi entrepreneurs and creators, highlighting the opportunities created by the digital economy and inspiring more young Saudis to pursue careers in this fast-growing sector.

The Digital Sustainability Initiative will promote digital safety and well-being through awareness programs developed in collaboration with schools, helping students adopt best practices for the safe and responsible use of digital platforms.

“Our partnership with MCIT reflects Snap’s long-term commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s digital transformation journey and investing in national talent. We believe that digital innovation begins with empowering people and equipping young individuals with the practical skills and experiences they need to seize opportunities in emerging digital sectors. Through this partnership, we aim to empower more than 20,000 Saudi talents with digital skills, helping cultivate a new generation capable of driving digital economic growth and contributing to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

– Abdulla Alhammadi, Managing Director, KSA, Snapchat

“This partnership builds on the Kingdom’s strategy to develop national capabilities, strengthen skills that support the creative economy and digital content industry, and link them to emerging opportunities in the global digital economy. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower the next generation of Saudi talent to create competitive digital experiences, develop locally relevant content with global reach, and contribute to the growth of future-focused industries, further enhancing Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness and leadership in the digital era.”

– Mohammed Al-Robayan, Deputy Minister for Future Jobs and Capabilities, MCIT 

This partnership reaffirms the shared commitment of MCIT and Snap to building a comprehensive digital innovation ecosystem centered on talent development, digital economy enablement, and digital trust. Together, the two parties aim to prepare the next generation of Saudi talents and support the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.