Orange Jordan and Proparco, the private sector financing arm of Agence Française de Développement (AFD Group), have celebrated the graduation of the final cohort from the Coding Academy at the Orange Digital Center in Aqaba.
The closing ceremony, held under the patronage of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), marked the completion of an initiative designed to boost digital skills and expand employment opportunities for Jordanian youth.
100% success rate
The programme achieved a 100% success rate among its participants, who completed five months of intensive training totalling 800 hours, followed by a one-month placement at partner companies. Graduates developed expertise in key programming languages, mobile and web application development, and delivered eight software projects as part of their coursework.
The Aqaba Coding Academy, launched in 2019, has produced five cohorts to date. The latest graduating group is the second delivered in partnership with Proparco.
Commitment to digital leadership
Orange Jordan CEO Eng. Philippe Mansour expressed pride in the achievements of the academy and the role it has played in preparing young Jordanians for the labour market.
“Over six years, the Coding Academy at the Orange Digital Center has made a significant societal impact, changing the lives of more than 1,022 youth, 80% of whom have joined the workforce,” he said. He added that the success of the Aqaba cohort demonstrates both the potential of the city as a centre for innovation and Orange’s wider commitment as a digital leader.
Youth empowerment in Aqaba
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Mohammad Abu Omar, ASEZA’s Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Investment, underlined the strategic role of digital skills training in transforming Aqaba into a smart city.
“This project contributes to positioning Aqaba as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. Empowering youth with information technology and entrepreneurial skills will enhance opportunities for startups and attract investment,” he said.
The event also featured a panel discussion, “Sustaining startups growth in Aqaba”, with participation from ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth, Dr. Thabet Al-Nabulsi, alongside entrepreneurs and Orange executives. Panellists explored ways to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and support the long-term growth of youth-led ventures.
Proparco’s support
Sebastien Fleury, Regional Director of Proparco in the Middle East, praised the quality of the programme and its students.
“The high quality of the curriculum and the selection of highly motivated students make this academy unique and ensure its success. Opening new horizons for the youth is at the heart of Proparco’s mission,” he said.
Impact across Jordan
The partnership between Orange Jordan and Proparco was launched in 2023 and has since enabled 239 young men and women from Zarqa, Irbid, Aqaba and Balqa to graduate. Women represented 42% of the participants, reflecting efforts to strengthen female participation in the technology sector.
Many graduates have secured jobs, while others have gone on to launch their own startups, signalling the programme’s wider contribution to Jordan’s growing digital economy.
