(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, Nov. 3 (Petra) -- Professionals in the information technology sector affirmed that Jordan's electronic gaming industry has witnessed rapid development over the past two years, driven by the ambitious vision and continuous support of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II for digital transformation and innovation.
This commitment stems from his belief in the sector's importance in empowering youth, linking education with technology, and strengthening Jordan's regional and international standing through long-term strategic partnerships.
Hussam Hammo, founder and CEO of Tamatem Games, said that the Crown Prince's backing has helped turn the spotlight on the gaming sector as a rising pillar of Jordan's digital economy, one that fuels creativity, innovation, and job creation for young talent.
He explained that Jordan's gaming ecosystem has evolved rapidly due to government initiatives, new labs and training programs, and the hosting of major gaming events. These efforts, Hammo said, have created fertile ground for both local and international investors eager to tap into Jordan's pool of skilled developers and designers.
Jordan, he added, is uniquely positioned to become a regional hub for game development. It offers a blend of strong technical talent, a supportive digital infrastructure, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all backed by a government that sees technology as a driver of economic progress.
Hammo highlighted the potential of producing Arabic-language games that resonate with regional audiences and can compete globally, as well as the growing appeal of Jordan as a launchpad for gaming expansion into Gulf and North African markets.
He also pointed to the 13th Jordan Gaming Summit, held this month under the theme "Play to Learn," describing it as a landmark event that brings together government, academia, and the private sector. Beyond being an annual gathering, he said, the summit reflects a national belief that gaming is more than entertainment, it's a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
From an academic perspective, Dania Al-Saeed, coordinator of the Game Design and Development program at Al Hussein Technical University, noted that gaming now represents a fast-growing field that merges technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
She emphasized that the sector's growth has been reinforced by the Crown Prince's personal engagement, including his sponsorship of the Jordan–UK Tech Connect 2025 Forum and the launch of the Aqaba Digital Gateway, the Kingdom's first integrated digital ecosystem designed to empower studios and digital content creators.
Al-Saeed also underscored the role of the Crown Prince Foundation in equipping young Jordanians with the skills needed to thrive in this industry through initiatives like 42 Amman/Irbid and The CORE, which combine coding education with entrepreneurship.
She pointed out that her university, itself a Foundation initiative, launched Jordan's first Game Design and Development program two years ago, offering applied learning and real-world projects that prepare students to compete regionally.
Market data, she said, indicates that Jordan's gaming market was valued at around USD 312.8 million in 2024, with expectations to double by 2030 at an annual growth rate of 11.5 percent.
Meanwhile, Noor Khreis, founder and CEO of Maysalward, credited the Jordan Gaming Lab, launched by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, as a major turning point for nurturing local talent. The expansion of these labs to cities beyond Amman, such as Irbid and Aqaba, has helped spread access to game development skills across the country.
Khreis said Jordan is now recognized as one of the Middle East's leading gaming centers, powered by its creative youth, supportive institutions, and growing digital economy. He also noted that Jordan's strategic location gives it a logistical edge for reaching Gulf and North African markets.
He added that the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship has set out a comprehensive national plan for gaming and eSports (2023–2027), including the creation of four national hubs, in Amman, Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba, as well as a specialized eSports and game development center at the University of Jordan.
The national strategy aims to cement Jordan's position as a regional gaming powerhouse, contribute 3 percent to the GDP, create 3,000 new jobs, attract foreign investment, and strengthen local startups, all in line with the country's Economic Modernization Vision 2033.
Khreis concluded that the global recognition achieved by Jordanian gaming companies, through acquisitions, international expansion, and innovative projects, is a testament to the country's creative strength and growing reputation as a serious player in the global gaming arena.

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