The GCC Edtech market is witnessing rapid growth driven by increasing adoption of digital education solutions across K-12, higher education, vocational, and corporate learning sectors. The market growth is propelled by the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, gamification, and robotics, which are transforming traditional education into more accessible, engaging, and personalized learning experiences. Governments in the region are actively promoting digital transformation in education, while rising internet and smartphone penetration further facilitate widespread deployment of Edtech platforms. Additionally, significant investments and initiatives to modernize education infrastructure and curricula support this expansion.
GCC EdTech Market size is valued at USD 3.02 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 4.47 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 6.74% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025-30. According to MarkNtel Advisors, the key Edtech players in GCC play an important role in sustaining this market growth. Leading companies such as Classera, Noon Academy, Al-Gooru, and others continuously innovate to meet regional education demands through AI-driven learning solutions and strategic partnerships with governments and educational institutions.
For instance, in 2024, Baims, a Kuwait-based Edtech firm, acquired the Egyptian live learning platform Orcas Tutoring to enhance capabilities and expand offerings within the USD 100 billion education market in the MENA region. This acquisition exemplifies how corporate consolidation and cross-border collaborations are strengthening the Edtech ecosystem, driving regional market momentum and accelerating digital education adoption across the Gulf countries.
Abwaab
Established in 2019, Abwaab is a leading online learning platform headquartered in Amman, Jordan, serving students across the MENA region. It offers curriculum-aligned courses, live tutoring, and exam preparation for school and university students. Abwaab leverages interactive video lessons and personalized learning paths driven by AI to increase student engagement and outcomes. Its key strategy includes localized content development and partnerships with educational institutions, focusing on affordability and wide accessibility. The platform emphasizes seamless digital access through mobile apps, aiming to democratize quality education in underserved GCC and neighboring markets.
Noon Academy
Founded in 2013 and based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Noon Academy is a pioneering social learning platform offering live tutoring and peer collaboration. It combines gamification and AI-powered analytics to boost student motivation and academic performance. Noon focuses on delivering personalized learning experiences in Arabic and English, targeting K-12 students across the GCC. Strategic alliances with schools and governments help scale reach. The platform’s community-centric approach supports interactive group study, making education more engaging and accessible, driving strong user growth in the region.
Al-Mentor
Almentor, established in 2016 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, is the leading continuous learning platform offering Arabic video-based courses for professional development. Serving individuals and enterprises across the GCC, Almentor partners with industry experts to deliver content in management, personal skills, business, and technology. Its key strategy is providing high-quality, culturally relevant content with B2C and B2B delivery models. Almentor focuses on professional upskilling to support economic diversification in the GCC and uses advanced content curation and learning management systems to personalize the user experience.
Orcas
Orcas, founded in Egypt and active in the GCC, is a live learning platform specializing in tutoring services primarily for K-12 students. With headquarters in Cairo, Orcas provides affordable on-demand live sessions powered by expert tutors delivering curriculum-focused content across various subjects. Its strategic growth includes regional expansion through acquisitions like Baims in Kuwait, enhancing its digital infrastructure and market presence. Orcas emphasizes data-driven personalized learning and widespread accessibility to empower students in the GCC and MENA markets through technologically enabled live education.
Ostaz
Established in 2017 with headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ostaz offers an online education platform providing live and recorded lessons primarily for school students. Ostaz supports a broad curriculum in Arabic and English, delivering personalized tutoring via a subscription model. The company's strategy revolves around leveraging data analytics and AI to customize learning experiences and improve student outcomes. Strategic partnerships with local schools and education authorities enable Ostaz to scale effectively in the GCC region. Ostaz is committed to transforming traditional education delivery by making high-quality tutoring accessible to students across the Gulf.
Government-Led Digital Transformation: The GCC governments prioritize education and technology as vital pillars of economic diversification and national development. Substantial investments in education infrastructure and digital transformation programs like smart classrooms are accelerating Edtech adoption across schools, universities, and vocational institutions. This creates opportunities for Edtech firms to partner with governments and educational bodies to expand market reach and customize solutions aligned with national priorities.
AI-Powered Personalized Learning: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing education by enabling adaptive, personalized learning experiences. AI-based tools help cater to diverse learning styles and provide targeted support, greatly enhancing student outcomes. GCC Edtech companies can capitalize on this trend by integrating AI-driven features such as intelligent tutoring, real-time analytics, and personalized content delivery into their platforms.
Expansion in Higher Education and Corporate Training: With growing demand for flexible, technology-enhanced learning, higher education institutions and corporations are increasingly investing in digital learning solutions. Edtech providers have opportunities to develop specialized content, micro-credentials, and skill-based training programs addressing evolving labor market needs and supporting workforce upskilling.
Gamification and Social-Emotional Learning: To increase engagement, Edtech platforms in the GCC are incorporating gamification and social-emotional learning elements. These innovative techniques improve motivation, collaboration, and soft skills development, providing avenues for companies to differentiate offerings and boost user retention.
Cross-Border Collaborations and Regional Expansion: The acquisition of platforms like Orcas by firms such as Baims demonstrates growing consolidation and cross-border partnerships in the MENA region. GCC Edtech companies can explore strategic alliances, mergers, and acquisitions to broaden geographic presence, diversify product portfolios, and strengthen technological capabilities.
These emerging opportunities collectively position the GCC Edtech market for sustained growth and innovation through 2030 and beyond, providing ample avenues for key players to thrive.
The future outlook of the GCC Edtech market is set to be deeply shaped by the continued integration of AI-powered tools, personalized learning, and emerging technologies already identified as key opportunities. AI-driven adaptive learning platforms will become the norm, enabling hyper-personalized education that adjusts dynamically to each student’s needs, learning pace, and style. This will significantly raise engagement and academic outcomes, extending beyond K-12 to lifelong learning and professional development.
The expansion of cloud-based and hybrid learning environments, supported by rising smartphone penetration exceeding 95% in several GCC countries, will democratize access to education, making learning ubiquitous and flexible. Gamification and social-emotional learning innovations will enhance motivation and collaboration, appealing to digital-native students throughout the region. Further, strategic government initiatives around smart classrooms and national AI strategies will continue to accelerate market growth.
Regionally, cross-border collaborations and consolidated platforms will emerge, supporting efficient content localization and scaling. These advanced ecosystems will empower educators and institutions to deliver high-impact educational experiences, positioning the GCC as a leading global hub for tech-enabled education by 2030.
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