Creators HQ, YouTube to launch first YouTube Academy in MENA
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Creators HQ, the UAE’s first content creator hub under Visioneers, has partnered with YouTube to launch the first-ever YouTube Academy in the Middle East and North Africa. The initiative aims to empower digital creators, strengthen the region’s creative economy and align with the UAE’s vision to become a global hub for innovation and content production.
The academy will provide creators with advanced training, tools and direct connections to help them build sustainable careers on YouTube. Programmes will focus on data analysis, content production, monetisation strategies and audience-building techniques, moving beyond generic advice to deliver actionable skills.
Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube Middle East and North Africa, said, “We believe that creators in MENA are the future of entertainment & the heart of the creator economy. Our collaboration with CreatorsHQ allows us to expand our support, ensuring more creators have the resources to turn their passion into a thriving, long-term career on YouTube".
He added, “We are committed to not just building the best platform & programmes, but also empowering the next generation of storytellers who are shaping culture across the region".
Alia AlHammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1Billion Followers Summit, said the partnership would “empower content creators with the skills and expertise needed to build a thriving creative community".
She described the YouTube Academy as a “comprehensive educational programme” that equips creators with analytics, monetisation and community-building tools for long-term growth.
The programme will feature specialised workshops, advanced courses, and direct mentorship from YouTube experts. It also reflects YouTube’s wider efforts to support creators across the region, where growth has been notable: the number of channels in the UAE earning seven-figure revenues in local currency rose 15% year-on-year, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt saw increases of 40% and 60% respectively.
In May 2024, YouTube reached more than 20 million people in Saudi Arabia and 7.5 million in the UAE over the age of 18, underlining its dominant role in the regional streaming landscape. The new academy seeks to elevate the quality of content and expand opportunities for creators to reach audiences across mobile, TV and other screens.
Future initiatives under the Creators HQ–YouTube partnership will include specialised training on artificial intelligence in content creation and strategies to amplify the global reach of Arabic content.