Dubai hosts region’s first YouTube Academy for content creators
Programme aims to enhance digital skills and boost creative economy
DUBAI – Creators HQ, the first content creator hub in the UAE and the wider Middle East and part of Visioneers, has announced a collaboration with YouTube to launch the first YouTube Academy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The initiative is designed to empower creators by developing their skills, enhancing their expertise, and enabling them to generate sustainable income, reflecting the UAE’s strategy to drive the regional content economy while fostering international partnerships with major platforms and technology leaders.
The project is part of YouTube’s continuing commitment to offering creators the best programmes and products while supporting their development. It seeks to build an innovative ecosystem that strengthens the UAE’s global standing in the creator economy. Through the new academy, creators will be trained in data analysis, content production, and strategies to establish long-term careers on YouTube.
Youtube Academy in Dubai
The academy will offer creators advanced tools, resources, and professional guidance to thrive across YouTube’s multiple formats and platforms. With support tailored to emerging creators, YouTube Academy moves beyond general advice by offering actionable expertise and direct connections to industry specialists.
YouTube Academy aims to help creators bring their content to life and grow audiences across diverse screens – from mobile to smart TV. It builds on YouTube’s extensive presence in the region, where in May 2024 the platform reached over 20 million people in Saudi Arabia and 7.5 million people in the UAE, reinforcing its position as a leader in the digital streaming landscape.
The programme is intended not only to elevate the quality and diversity of digital content but also to strengthen the infrastructure of the creator economy across MENA. By combining local talent with global expertise, YouTube and Creators HQ hope to inspire a new generation of storytellers.
How will it support creators?
Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube Middle East and North Africa, described the project as a commitment to the future of digital creativity: “We believe that creators in MENA are the future of entertainment and the heart of the creator economy. Our collaboration with Creators HQ allows us to expand our support, ensuring more creators have the resources to turn their passion into a thriving, long-term career on YouTube. We are committed to 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, highlighted the value of the partnership: “Our collaboration with YouTube will empower content creators with the skills and expertise needed to build a thriving creative community. This will support the content economy in the UAE and the region while solidifying the UAE’s position as a global hub for creativity.”
She added: “YouTube Academy is a comprehensive educational programme designed to enhance creators’ capabilities. It empowers them to maximise analytics tools, monetisation opportunities, and community-building strategies, ensuring a sustainable future in this fast-growing sector.”
When will training begin?
The academy will roll out programmes that include advanced workshops, training courses, and specialised initiatives led by YouTube experts. These will give participants practical insights into developing high-quality content and achieving growth.
The initiative is also being launched at a time when YouTube creators are seeing notable financial success in the region. In the UAE, the number of YouTube channels generating seven-figure revenues in local currency increased by 15 percent year on year. In Saudi Arabia, the figure rose by 40 percent, while in Egypt, it soared by 60 percent.
By focusing on in-depth knowledge rather than generic training, YouTube Academy intends to provide creators with the professional framework necessary to make content creation a viable and sustainable livelihood.
What is next for the collaboration?
The launch of YouTube Academy signals only the beginning of further joint initiatives between YouTube and Creators HQ. Upcoming programmes will include specialised training on the use of artificial intelligence in digital content production and interactive workshops aimed at amplifying the global reach of Arabic-language content.
The collaboration represents a shared commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation, supporting content creators in establishing careers that align with the rapid pace of digital transformation.
Creators HQ, launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was established as part of the Dh150 million Content Creators Support Fund announced during the second edition of the 1Billion Followers Summit in 2024.
As part of Visioneers, the UAE’s largest content management and development platform, Creators HQ operates alongside 21 other companies and platforms, including the New Media Academy, the Communications Centre, the History Academy, Arab Nation, Masdar News, UAE Nation, UAE in Numbers, Whoweyya, Al Mal Channel, Wasl, Xposed, and AI Media Lab.