The Create Apps in Dubai initiative trained 200 UAE nationals in mobile app development skills during the first quarter of 2024, marking a significant early milestone for the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy's flagship Emirati upskilling programme.
What Is the Create Apps in Dubai Initiative?
Launched under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, the 'Create Apps in Dubai' initiative is designed to sharpen the UAE's digital competencies at scale.
The programme has two headline targets: develop 1,000 Emirati IT professionals in partnership with the private sector, and triple the total number of app creators in Dubai by 2025. It also aims to support 100 new national projects producing cutting-edge mobile applications available in global digital stores.
200 Emiratis Upskilled in Q1 2024
Two hundred candidates from across the UAE completed app development training in the first three months of 2024 through the initiative's structured curriculum. The programme is open to UAE nationals of all ages and from all seven emirates, offering hands-on coding and app-building skills through the Emirati Training Academy.
The Q1 result demonstrated early momentum for a scheme that had only launched in late 2023, with demand growing steadily since.
Create Apps Championship and Free Learning Materials
Alongside its training tracks, the initiative runs the Create Apps Championship — a competitive event that attracted more than 1,100 aspiring developers seeking learning materials in February 2024 alone. As part of the championship's promotional drive, 10,000 free iPad manuals were distributed to participants, supporting self-paced study for those who availed of the resource.
UAE Digital Competency Goals
The Create Apps in Dubai programme sits at the heart of Dubai's broader strategy to position the emirate as a global hub for digital talent and technology business. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy oversees the initiative, coordinating with government entities and private-sector technology companies to deliver training and mentorship at scale.
By the end of 2024, the initiative had trained 1,333 Emiratis in mobile application development fundamentals — a 170% increase compared to the previous year — demonstrating the accelerating reach of the scheme beyond its Q1 milestone.
