Driving Digital Skills and Innovation in the Middle East and Africa

By Ahmed Elkabbany – Regional Manager, Middle East and Africa & CIS, Digital Impact Office

This week, the Cisco Networking Academy Partner Conference brought together partners, educators, and key stakeholders from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) & CIS along with Cisco Networking Academy leaders to celebrate achievements and strengthen collaboration. Over two days, the event reaffirmed a shared commitment to digital skills and to accelerate innovation in the region. Together, we spotlighted strategic projects and new initiatives on AI, cybersecurity, and cloud designed to empower youth, and upskill professionals.

Celebrating Outstanding Partners

Recognizing our partners for their dedication and impact is always a highlight, because their achievements tell the real story of progress. At the event, the African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (Kenya) and İBB Enstitü İstanbul İSMEK (Turkey) received the Be the Bridge Award that honors partners and institutions making significant impacts in digital inclusion and student success within the NetAcad community.

We also celebrated the outstanding digital literacy actions of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA, Nigeria) with the Golden Bridge Award that is a Prestigious regional recognition for exceptional commitment and achievements in advancing Cisco Networking Academy’s mission. Over the last 12 months, NITDA launched a transformative capacity-building program in collaboration with Cisco Networking Academy, designed specifically for civil servants, aligning with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

To date, over 26,000 civil servants have already been onboarded onto the platform. This program is set to make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of Nigerian civilians. By equipping civil servants with essential digital skills, it empowers them to deliver more efficient, transparent, and innovative public services. Ultimately, this will help create a more connected, inclusive, and secure environment for all citizens, supporting economic growth, access to information, and improved quality of life across Nigeria.

Expanding Reach Through New Partnerships

I am especially proud of the new partnerships we announced, through strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), which demonstrate how NetAcad is scaling its impact:

Kuwait: In partnership with Kuwait Space Academy, the Gulf’s first AI and Space Academy, we will boost training in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and data analytics for youth and government talent.

United Arab Emirates: Ajman University is integrating NetAcad offerings into its curricula, with a focus on cybersecurity and networking, and Dubai Media Academy’s “AI in the Arab World” initiatives developing AI tools to empower Arabic institutions, professionals, and youth.

Pakistan: Our agreement with the University of Spoken English and Computer Science will extend NetAcad’s footprint across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, enabling us to reach more leaners, including in remote areas.

Nigeria: The Benue Digital Infrastructure Academy is driving digital transformation in Benue State, Nigeria, by expanding infrastructure, promoting innovation, and creating tech opportunities to strengthen the state’s digital economy and public services.

Turkey: our partnership with the Andalou University will integrate the NetAcad teaching portfolio into their online education programme, providing high impact skills-to-jobs training to the widest student base in Turkey.

Each of these partnership is proof of our dedication to digital and AI education and to fuelling innovation in the region.

Launching the NetAcad Cup in Collaboration with Real Madrid

The conference also marked the official launch of the Cisco Networking Academy Cup, in partnership with Real Madrid. More than 600 instructors from 77 EMEA countries will compete through April to become Digital Champions. Winners will receive VIP La Liga match tickets – an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their skills and celebrate their achievements. Best of luck to all participants at Cisco Networking Academy, every learner is already on the path to success.

Real Progress and Impact Across MEA & CIS

Cisco Networking Academy continues to make a significant impact in MEA & CIS, equipping learners with essential digital skills. In FY25 alone, the program reached 1.4 million students in the region and 5.4 million across 77 countries since its inception. Collaborations with governments, academia, and industry ensure the program aligns with economic priorities and emerging technologies, supporting workforce readiness and inclusive growth.