8 MENA startup founders under the age of 20

Countries in the Middle East and North Africa currently own a vast reserve of an invaluable resource, one that can spur innovation and help diversify local economies for generations to come.

That resource is young entrepreneurs like Amer and Mohamad Yaghi. In the last two years, these Jordanian brothers founded their own startup and launched two products. And they’re not even out of high school yet.

MENA’s startup ecosystem has quietly blossomed for years, and increasingly youthful founders are popping up everywhere, indicating that the potential of entrepreneurship is resonating with younger generations.

And this is an important development for MENA’s economic future.

With over 30 percent of its population between the ages of 15 and 29, representing over 100 million youth, the MENA region is experiencing a “youth bulge,” according to a Brookings report.

Local economies are overflowing with human capital, making entrepreneurship an attractive way to capitalize on this resource. Not only does entrepreneurship offer a solution for youth unemployment, it also benefits local communities by offering them innovative products and services.

Original article by Samuel Wendel

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8 MENA startup founders under the age of 20