The Arab Youth Centre (AYC) in Abu Dhabi has launched the second edition of the Arab Youth Hackathon 2025–2026, focusing on electronic games that reflect Arab culture and identity.
Organised in partnership with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the programme aims to equip young Arab talent with the skills to compete in the global gaming industry, which is projected to reach $600 billion by 2030.
Held under the theme “Gaming, Powered by Arab Identity,” the initiative offers 50 participants from across the Arab world hands-on training in game design, programming, art, animation, and visual effects. The three-month programme replicates professional studio workflows and includes workshops, masterclasses, and mentoring by international experts.
The experience will culminate at the World Governments Summit in February 2026, where five original games developed by the participants will be unveiled through live demos and trailers.
Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth and Vice Chairman of the AYC, said the hackathon underscores the UAE’s role as a regional hub for innovation and creative industries.
“It creates a genuine opportunity for Arab creatives to develop impactful projects, build international networks, and strengthen the representation of Arab culture in the global creative economy,”
he noted.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said the initiative supports the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by empowering youth to drive digital growth.
Registration is now open for skilled young developers across the Arab world, marking another step toward building a vibrant Arab presence in the fast-growing gaming sector.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
