Dubai, UAE – A newly released report by PwC Middle East, titled “Why Entrepreneurial Capabilities Are Key to Empowering MENA’s Youth”, underscores the critical need to foster entrepreneurial mindsets, skills, and behaviours among the region’s youth to drive inclusive economic growth and innovation.
With youth under the age of 25 comprising nearly 50% of the MENA region’s population and youth unemployment at 24%, the report calls for a fundamental shift in how governments, educators, and businesses nurture talent and foster entrepreneurship across the region.
A Regional Framework for Entrepreneurial Growth
Drawing insights from 19 in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, government leaders, educators, and executives from high-growth firms like Talabat, Ogilvy, Augustus Media, and the UAE Ministry of Economy, the report presents a robust framework that identifies four key strategies to strengthen MENA’s entrepreneurial pipeline:
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Structured Entrepreneurship Education
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Mentorship Ecosystems
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Technological Proficiency and Digital Literacy
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Female Empowerment and Inclusion
These pillars aim to equip youth not just with business acumen, but with the adaptability, creativity, and technological fluency needed to thrive in a fast-evolving global economy.
Building an Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem
According to Roland Hancock, Middle East Education Practice Leader at PwC Middle East:
“Entrepreneurial capabilities are driving resilience, innovation, and long-term relevance in the MENA region. Strategic investment in youth, inclusive innovation ecosystems, and future-ready skills can unlock regional and global leadership in sectors such as AI, digital transformation, and sustainability.”
He also emphasized the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration between governments, academia, the private sector, and civil society to cultivate a fertile environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Case Studies in Entrepreneurial Agility
The report spotlights regional success stories such as Talabat, Swvl, Tabby, and Tamara—startups that have achieved rapid scale by leveraging digital-first business models and entrepreneurial agility. These companies exemplify how the right capabilities and infrastructure can lead to exponential growth and industry disruption.
A Call for Strategic Action
PwC’s report urges MENA governments and businesses to treat entrepreneurship as a strategic lever for job creation, technological innovation, and global competitiveness. As the region transitions to a knowledge-based, digital economy, empowering youth with entrepreneurial capabilities could unlock transformative economic and social dividends.