AWS and e& are teaming up on a nationwide skills push called AI Nation – Afaaq. The plan: train 30,000 people in AI and cloud, hand out 30,000 AWS certification vouchers, and support learners with free digital courses and live coaching. Announced at GITEX Global in Dubai on 16 October 2025, this sits under the companies’ US$1 billion alliance from 2024. The pitch is simple—help close the UAE’s AI skills gap and get more people certified for real jobs.
What is AI Nation – Afaaq?
The short version: a large-scale training programme focused on AI and ML, delivered locally by e& Academy with AWS courseware and certifications.
- Target learners: 30,000 across the UAE.
- Format: self-paced digital training plus live “Cloud Coach” sessions.
- Goal: build a certified, job-ready pipeline for UAE employers.
This is a structured pathway rather than a one-off bootcamp. The e& Academy delivery model means learners get local support, consistent schedules, and exam prep—useful if you’re juggling work and study.
Which certifications are on offer?
Two tiers, with sponsored vouchers to match.
- 25,000 vouchers: AWS Certified AI Practitioner (foundational).
- 5,000 vouchers: AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate (advanced).
- Plus: free access to AWS Skill Builder for on-demand courses and labs.
AI Practitioner covers the language, services, and guardrails of modern AI on AWS. The ML Engineer – Associate dives into data prep, training, deployment and MLOps. Together they give beginners a start and practitioners a recognised step up.
Why this matters for the UAE
IDC’s 2024 study says most UAE/KSA firms see AI’s impact, but 46% in the UAE call out a skills shortage. This programme is designed to shrink that gap fast.
- Aligns with national priorities such as UAE Centennial 2071.
- Builds a wider hiring pool for public and private sectors.
- Supports investment by growing local, certified talent.
In plain terms, more certified people means faster projects, fewer misfires, and better outcomes. It also helps smaller firms that can’t afford lengthy upskilling cycles.
How the training works
It’s flexible and exam-oriented, which should cut time to certification.
- Self-paced learning on AWS Skill Builder.
- Live Cloud Coach sessions for exam readiness.
- Local delivery via e& Academy for enrolment, support, and scheduling.
Expect a mix of videos, hands-on labs, and practice questions. The live sessions aim to clear common blockers—exam format, tricky domains, and what “good” looks like on AWS.
Who should apply (and what to prepare)
This isn’t just for developers. It’s useful if you touch AI projects at all.
- Newcomers to AI who want a recognised starting point.
- Data analysts and engineers moving into ML pipelines.
- IT pros, architects, and project leads supporting AI workloads.
- Non-technical roles seeking AI literacy for decision-making.
Before you start, sort the basics: an AWS account for labs, time blocks each week, and a simple study plan. For ML Engineer – Associate, brush up on Python, data wrangling, and model deployment patterns.
Enrolment and UAE context
The programme is open now via e& Academy. You get local support and exam voucher allocation through the same portal. Being announced at GITEX Global signals scale, but the real value is sustained delivery after the show.
- Enrol here: e& Academy – AI Nation Afaaq (official page).
- Based in the UAE, with training aligned to local market needs.
- Part of a wider regional cloud and AI push, also visible across GITEX coverage and recent enterprise moves.
For background reading on where the UAE ecosystem is heading, see our related pieces:
- IBM and AWS deepening cloud ties in the region (context on enterprise uptake).
- Microsoft’s agentic AI push at GITEX (what vendors are showing on the ground).
- du’s new AI Park ambitions (local compute and sovereign AI angles).
- Oracle’s AI Experience Centre in Dubai (hands-on enterprise showcases).
- Hub71’s AI-heavy startup cohort (talent and venture pipeline).
What exactly is included for learners?
Access to AWS Skill Builder digital courses, live Cloud Coach sessions, and a sponsored exam voucher (subject to allocation) for either AI Practitioner (foundational) or ML Engineer – Associate (advanced).
Do I need prior cloud experience?
Not for AI Practitioner. It’s designed for beginners. The ML Engineer – Associate assumes you’re comfortable with data workflows and basic ML concepts. If in doubt, start with AI Practitioner.
Are the vouchers guaranteed?
The programme includes 30,000 sponsored vouchers in total (25k foundational, 5k associate). Allocation is handled through e& Academy. Apply early and follow their steps to secure one.
