Overview
Silatech is a private, international, non-governmental organisation established in Qatar in 2008. It was founded by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and aims to expand economic opportunities for young people across the Arab world, with a particular focus on those aged roughly 18–30. The organisation describes its mission as creating pathways to dignified work and supporting youth entrepreneurship through a mix of programmes, advocacy and partnerships. The organisation is based in Qatar and has been led by senior executives responsible for strategy and regional operations, including a named CEO in public materials, Sabah Ismail AlHaidoos.
Core activities
Silatech implements a range of complementary approaches intended to increase youth employment and enterprise. Typical activities include vocational and digital skills training, employability coaching, entrepreneurship mentoring and business-plan support, facilitation of access to finance for microenterprises, and employer engagement to link trained candidates with vacancies. The organisation places emphasis on measuring outputs and outcomes, using surveys, labour market data and monitoring systems to inform programme design and to report on results.
Partnerships and collaborations
From its launch, Silatech has worked through partnerships with the private sector, international organisations, research groups and local delivery partners. Founding and early partners cited in public materials include technology and research organisations such as Cisco, Gallup and ImagineNations. Silatech also collaborates with governments, vocational institutes, microfinance providers and employers to adapt interventions to national and local labour market conditions.
Impact and scale
By mid-decade reporting, Silatech had publicly reported helping to create or support more than 200,000 jobs and microenterprises and working across multiple countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Public accounts have cited activity in more than a dozen countries; the organisation frames its work around scaling proven approaches and linking programme beneficiaries with private-sector demand.
Governance, funding and approach
Silatech is structured as a private non-governmental initiative that combines grant-funded projects, partnerships and capacity-building work. Its programmes are often delivered in collaboration with host-country institutions and private partners. The organisation highlights the use of data, employer engagement and scalable delivery models as core elements of its approach.
Evaluation and challenges
Observers and evaluators note that initiatives like Silatech can increase access to training and short-term placement, but measuring long-term job quality, income progression and sustainable entrepreneurship remains challenging in many labour markets. The organisation acknowledges these difficulties and reports efforts to improve monitoring, third-party evaluation and the sustainability of supported enterprises.
Further information
- Silatech in Arabic — official name and Arabic-language references.
- Qatar — context on the organisation’s location and national setting.
- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser — background on the founder and her public role.
- The Emir of Qatar — related information on the Qatari leadership referenced in public sources.
Note: Public figures on jobs supported and countries of activity are drawn from organisational reports and public statements. As with many development initiatives, numbers and impacts are best understood alongside independent evaluations and country-level studies.