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Meta And Startupbootcamp Launch MENA Agentic AI Drive

The three-month accelerator program will fast track AI startups in MENA through the Llama Design Drive, offering tech, mentorship, and funding support.

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2025

Nour Nasir

Startupbootcamp

Meta has teamed up once again with Startupbootcamp to launch a new edition of the Llama Design Drive — a three-month accelerator program aimed at fast-tracking the development of agentic AI startups in the Middle East and North Africa.

At the heart of the initiative is Meta’s open-source Llama large language model, designed to help startups build intelligent AI agents capable of making autonomous decisions to solve real-world problems. These could range from virtual tutors and healthcare bots to energy efficiency tools and smart mobility assistants.

The program offers selected startups a complete support package: up to $25,000 in AWS cloud credits, mentorship from Meta engineers and AI specialists, and a series of workshops designed to help teams build and scale their products. The journey will culminate at the Llama Summit, where startups will pitch their solutions to regional stakeholders and international investors.

“Through Llama Design Drive, we’re co-creating with the region’s most promising founders, building AI agents that reflect the priorities, challenges, and opportunities of the MENA region,” said Joulan Abdul Khalek, Policy Programs Manager at Meta.

This year’s focus on agentic AI — autonomous AI assistants — comes as the MENA region sees a surge in digital transformation. Governments are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, and enterprises are looking to automate more services across healthcare, education, public administration, and green transport.

Hani Murad, CEO of Startupbootcamp, emphasized the growing relevance of AI agents. “From conversational healthcare bots to digital tutors and public service assistants, agentic AI is uniquely positioned to unlock regional potential,” he noted.

Also Read: Google Releases Veo 2 AI Video Tool To MENA Users

The 2024 edition of the program proved popular, drawing over 200 applications. 43 startups were selected across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, including Indigo Hive, Carbon Sifr, and Labib Technologies — each building AI solutions across sectors like sustainability, content creation, and accessibility.

Startupbootcamp’s timing couldn’t be better: The enterprise agentic AI market in the MEA region generated $102.2 million in 2024 and is projected to hit $1.07 billion by 2030. On a broader scale, the MENA agent market is forecast to grow from $213.1 million to $2.2 billion in the same period.

With regional AI models like UAE’s Falcon and Saudi Arabia’s ALLaM gaining ground, and workforce readiness initiatives accelerating, MENA is positioning itself not just as a consumer of AI — but as a global innovator.

Related Topics:Artificial Intelligence Meta Startupbootcamp

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For etisalat, More Bandwidth Is A Matter Of Digital Sovereignty

The etisalat group plans to expand its international capacity from 20 Tbps to more than 500 Tbps by 2030, with new routes designed for speed and resilience.

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2026

Nour Nasir

for etisalat, more bandwidth is a matter of digital sovereignty

Emirates News Agency

By 2030, etisalat group plans to lift its international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps), more than 25 times the 20 Tbps it has today. The group presented the expansion as preparation for rising AI demand and an important move for the UAE’s digital sovereignty.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, witnessed the launch of the project, which covers the UAE and international markets. Sheikh Mansour is also Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority, etisalat group’s main shareholder.

He emphasized the role of coordinated national efforts in advancing the UAE’s AI and digital economy ambitions. “AI is a central pillar in our development journey moving forward,” he said, adding that developing the country’s digital capabilities would empower every institution, public and private, to build and innovate with AI “at the scale the coming decade will demand”.

“This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not simply adopt AI, but govern it and build with it,” said H.E Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of etisalat group. “That requires digital infrastructure at a scale that would prepare us for the future”. He cast greater international connectivity as a strategic answer to the challenges of processing and moving data globally.

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Beyond raw bandwidth, the expansion will introduce new connectivity routes intended to improve reliability and efficiency, and Alzaabi tied them directly to the sovereignty goal. “Delivered through diversified routes and low-latency design, the project is set to keep the country’s connection to the global digital economy fast, direct and resilient, while ensuring the UAE’s digital sovereignty,” he said.

He also linked the plan to the group’s 50-year commitment to building infrastructure for the nation. The announcement didn’t mention what the expansion will cost. Nor did it name the new routes or say who will build them, the details that would show what digital sovereignty means in practice.