Noha Gad
The education technology (edtech) sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, closely aligned with Vision 2030’s digital transformation goal. Recognizing the critical role of technology in enhancing educational outcomes, the Saudi government has implemented various initiatives and policies to attract local and international investors.
Key players in the edtech industry such as Noon Academy, Nokhbah Academy, Sprints, and others launched their operations in the Kingdom, backed by the government’s efforts to modernize the education system by supporting innovative solutions such as online learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and adaptive learning technologies.
Sprints, a leading Egyptian edtech company with a strong presence in Saudi Arabia, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to redefine the future of education in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, ultimately bridging the tech talent gap in the region by preparing qualified talent for the labor market with a guaranteed hiring program.
Sharikat Mubasher had an interview with Sprints’ Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Bassam Sharkawy, a passionate entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience in the software industry, to learn more about the company’s pivotal role in revolutionizing the edtech sector, regional and global expansions, and its future plans.
First, how do Sprints’ services revolutionize the edtech industry and transform the tech talent landscape?
A key unique characteristic of Sprints is our AI-powered platform that creates a real working environment simulation. Our learners do not just study - they work in teams, have daily meetings, and use actual task management systems. We have implemented AI coaching that acts as senior mentors, and we even have AI-simulated customers sending emails to help develop practical skills. What really sets us apart is our social learning approach - while typical MOOCs see only 5-10% completion rates, our social learning methods boost this to 80-90%.
Secondly, it is the fact that employment is in our DNA. We started with guaranteed hiring boot camps, evolving into an outstaffing service that connects global clients with high-performing African teams. With over 100,000 tech professionals on our platform, we offer a win-win:
- For employers, we deliver reliable teams while managing all legal, tax, and payroll complexities, making the process seamless and hassle-free.
- For talent, it means global projects, competitive salaries, job stability, and benefits like medical insurance.
In March, Sprints raised $3mn in a bridge round to expand into 10 new markets. Can you share more about the company’s plans to broaden business in the GCC region?
We are already active in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan, where we collaborate with governments and private entities to equip the next generation with essential tech skills, including AI, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and more.
In the UAE, for instance, we partnered with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation to train 130 Emirati cybersecurity engineers. Building on the success of this program, we plan to scale it up to 1,000 engineers by 2025.
What are the company’s global expansion plans?
We are proud to have clients in six countries that are tech leaders, including the US, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and New Zealand. Next year, we will open a new funding round tackling 20 countries.
Sprints aspires to educate 1 billion learners in 10 years. How will the company achieve this goal?
We are 100% committed to this ambitious goal of educating 1 billion learners in 10 years and plan to achieve that through AI, automation, and personalized learning. We are creating adaptive learning experiences where everyone has their own individualized journey that takes them up, depending on their level. The key is that no two learners follow the same path - each person's experience is tailored to their pace, style, and capabilities.
Through social learning, we are motivating people to complete their courses, which has dramatically improved our completion rates from the typical 5-10% seen in traditional online courses to 80-90%. AI is revolutionizing the way we learn, and it is going to continue doing that for the next decade.
What makes our approach particularly powerful is our focus on matching learners with global employers. This is not just about education; it is about creating real career opportunities. By combining AI-powered learning with actual job placement, we are creating a sustainable ecosystem that can truly scale to reach our billion-learner goal.
In your opinion, what does MENA’s edtech sector need to thrive? and how Sprints tackles tech-workforce challenges?
The MENA region's edtech sector faces unique challenges, particularly in North Africa. The fundamental issue is purchasing power as many talented individuals cannot access high-quality education. While government support exists, it needs to be dramatically scaled to meet the growing demand for tech talent.
What is exciting is how we are tackling these challenges head-on. We are bridging the critical gap between education and employment through a multi-faceted approach. First, we are actively collaborating with governments across Africa to create supportive frameworks. Second, we are working with companies to increase their confidence in outsourcing to local talent. And third, we are opening up global remote work opportunities that previously seemed out of reach.
One of our proudest achievements is our focus on female talent development. This is not just about equality; it is about unlocking the full potential of our region. By bringing more women into tech, we are not only addressing the talent shortage but also creating new sources of foreign currency income through IT exports.