Top EdTech Startups in Middle East & North Africa Region

Educational technology has supported teaching facilities using online learning and smart applications, and the EdTech sector has seen a boom in investments since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a list of the top EdTech startups in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia forming most of the list with four and three entries, respectively. 

1. Noon Academy

Established in 2013, Saudi Noon Academy is an on-demand online tutoring platform. It is one of the fastest-growing learning platforms in the Middle East, with over 9 million registered students. The startup incorporates social and gamification features to make learning more enjoyable and collaborative for students.

2. Aanaab

Founded in 2016, Jeddah-based EdTech Aanaab's platform facilitates professional development of teachers by providing them an opportunity to acquire Cambridge International certificates. Aanaab counts Cambridge Assessment International Education, Dar Al-Hekma University, and Rwaq among its content partners. 

3. IR4Lab

Based in Saudi Arabia, IR4Lab provides education programs in emerging technologies by implementing new business models or improving existing processes to build up local capabilities. The startup was founded in 2017.

4. Al-Mentor

UAE-based Al-Mentor was founded in 2016. It is one of the leading video learning platforms in the MENA region, delivering more than 2 million learning experiences for Arabic speakers.

5. Baims

Founded in Kuwait in 2017, Baims' platform offers customized courses for university students in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.

6. Abwaab

Abwaab's platform offers online content tailored to the local curricula of secondary school students, where students can participate in lessons, get access to feedback and join discussion boards. The startup was founded in Jordan in 2019.

7. Ostaz 

Previously known as Synkers, Ostaz is a Lebanese online tutoring platform founded in 2017. It provides personalized and accessible education by connecting students with qualified private tutors to help them set learning goals on their academic journey.

8. Nafham

Nafham, started in Egypt in 2012, is a free online crowdsourced educational platform linked to the mandated public curriculum in Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, as international curricula for SAT and IGCSE.

9. Orcas

Established in 2013, Cairo-based mobile application Orcas connects parents and students with nearby tutors or online courses, providing students with live one-on-one tutoring sessions online and in person.

10. Zedny 

Established in 2020, the Egypt-based Arabic learning startup targets individuals keen on developing their business skills, acquiring general knowledge, and searching for jobs through integrating machine learning and gamification into the HR development cycle.

11. Alacademia

Alacademia ('The Academy' in Arabic), launched in 2020, is an Egypt-based distance education platform focusing on professional development in bite-sized courses from education and development experts.