Orange Digital Village in Aqaba: A Digital Gateway for Youth
Aqaba
Engineer Randa Al-Dababneh, the Executive Director of Corporate Communication and Sustainability at Orange Jordan, highlighted the significant impact of the Orange Digital Village, launched in Aqaba in 2022 as part of Orange’s nationwide Digital Centers Program. This initiative aligns with the visionary goals of empowering young women and men to join the global digital revolution, contributing to Aqaba’s ambitions under the 2024-2028 strategy of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). The strategy aims to establish Aqaba as a world-class destination, not only for tourism and investment but also as a sustainable, smart city and a regional hub for technical skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The Orange Digital Village serves as a vital digital and creative outlet for the youth in Aqaba. It offers an array of programs, including the Coding Academy, the Digital Fabrication Lab, and the Business Incubator and Accelerator under the “BIG by Orange” initiative. These programs provide a creative space that empowers the youth to actively contribute to Aqaba’s sustainable development, solidifying its position on both regional and international stages.
Al-Dababneh emphasized that while Aqaba stands as Jordan’s gateway to the sea, the Orange Digital Village represents a gateway to the digital and creative world, offering young people the opportunity to unleash their potential in coding, creativity, and entrepreneurship. This endeavor adds substantial value to ASEZA’s broader strategy.
She elaborated on the key components of the village, noting that the Coding Academy provides free training in programming languages and personal development skills over a seven-month period, including one month of hands-on practical experience. Meanwhile, the Digital Fabrication Lab offers training on the latest equipment and software, such as laser cutters, CNC machines, and 3D printers, enabling participants to create prototypes that often evolve into entrepreneurial projects. Entrepreneurs participating in the “BIG by Orange” program in Aqaba receive marketing, logistical support, and networking opportunities to refine their ideas and bring them to fruition.
Al-Dababneh further mentioned that these ongoing efforts, which began in 2022 as part of Orange’s corporate social responsibility strategy, have been recognized at the highest levels. Recently, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II visited the Orange Digital Village in Aqaba, acknowledging its crucial role in empowering the youth of Aqaba and positioning the city as a leading center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
Reflecting on the village’s achievements in this relatively short span, Al-Dababneh proudly reported that the Orange Digital Village has already trained and graduated three cohorts of 80 young men and women from the Coding Academy, with an impressive 50% female participation. The graduation rate stands at 96%, and 60% of the graduates have successfully entered the job market, further underscoring the village’s role in fostering the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs.
