The King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) has commenced the implementation of a development plan for the Jordan Gaming Lab as part of a strategic vision to transform it into a specialized lab for emerging technologies and game development. The initiative aims to equip Jordanian youth with advanced technological skills and prepare them for the jobs of the future.
In this regard, KAFD Director General, Dr. Samer Al-Mufleh, stated that the development of the Jordan Gaming Lab aligns with the outcomes of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, particularly within the creative industries pillar, and supports national efforts to empower young people and enhance their creative and technical capabilities in promising sectors.
Al-Mufleh added that the KAFD is focused on providing an enabling environment for innovation and equipping youth with the skills required in emerging technologies and the gaming industry, contributing to the creation of new economic opportunities and strengthening Jordan’s competitiveness in emerging technology and digital production sectors.
He further emphasized the importance of establishing a specialized national platform for developing digital skills among young people across all governorates of the Kingdom, given the significant employment, creativity, and economic growth opportunities offered by these sectors. He noted that the Lab’s expansion represents a strategic step toward broadening the range of programs and services available to youth and connecting them with promising opportunities in the technology sector.
Since its establishment in 2011 by a Royal initiative, the Jordan Gaming Lab has served more than 62,000 young people from across the Kingdom. It has also established partnerships with a number of local and international companies operating in the sector, while organizing specialized events and conferences that have contributed to strengthening Jordan’s position on the regional gaming industry map.
In its new phase, the initiative will focus on training and empowering youth in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), robotics, and digital production technologies, in addition to game design and development.
The initiative will also provide startup incubation services, technical and technological mentorship, support for developing digital product prototypes, and opportunities to connect entrepreneurs with potential investors and partners.
The Jordan Gaming Lab currently operates through 8 branches located in Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, Aqaba, Ma’an, Karak, and Tafileh, in addition to a mobile lab that serves various governorates across the Kingdom, ensuring access to the widest possible segment of youth nationwide.
The Labs targets university and college students, recent graduates, job seekers, entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and individuals interested in emerging technologies and digital industries. It also offers dedicated programs for school students aged nine and above.
It is worth noting that all Lab services will be provided free of charge to Jordanian youth through an integrated pathway that begins with training and capacity building and extends to the incubation of innovative ideas and connecting beneficiaries with local and regional employment opportunities. This approach contributes to preparing qualified national talent capable of competing in the labor market, supporting the growth of the digital economy and creative industries, and strengthening Jordan’s position as a regional hub for technology and innovation in line with the Economic Modernization Vision.