Arab youth and the promise of the creative economy

Arab News

2 days ago

https://arab.news/zsqap
For decades, the Arab world's economic narrative was dominated by hydrocarbons, with oil and gas shaping everything from cultural vision to foreign relations. More recently, the promise of artificial intelligence and digital transformation has captured the imagination of policymakers. But there is a quieter revolution underway that could prove just as pivotal for the region's future: the rise of the creative economy, driven by the energy and imagination of the Arab youth.
The creative economy — encompassing art, music, dance, photography, film and entertainment — has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, generating annual revenues of $2.25 trillion and employing 30 million people, according to UNESCO. For a region where nearly two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, the creative industries potentially offer not just jobs but a sense of purpose and identity. They can nurture talent, spur innovation and provide a promising path to economic diversification as the world accelerates its transition to a low-carbon future.
At the heart of this potential transformation are the Arab world's young people — tech-savvy, globally connected and eager for change. They are not content to be mere consumers of culture, they want to be its creators and curators. The explosion of local music scenes in Egypt, Lebanon and the Gulf, the rise of Arab rappers and DJs blending traditional sounds with global genres, and the growing popularity of regional film and photography festivals all point to an emerging creative renaissance.
Initiatives like the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, which provides grants to musicians, producers and cultural organizations across the Arab world, demonstrate the appetite for creative expression and the potential for regional collaboration. Since its inception, the fund has supported a wide range of projects, from music and cinema to visual and performing arts, helping to break down barriers and amplify Arab voices on the global stage.
However, realizing the full potential of this youth dividend requires more than just funding. It calls for a mindset that values creativity as much as technical skills and that sees culture as a driver of innovation and economic growth. Policymakers must prioritize arts education, protect intellectual property rights and create platforms for young talent to showcase their work. They must also address challenges ranging from weak infrastructure to limited access to funding that hold back the sector's growth.
Some Arab countries have already begun to recognize the strategic importance of the creative sector. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Gulf states, whose governments have spent billions of dollars on developing cultural infrastructure in the form of museums, opera houses, exhibition spaces and music venues, hosting international festivals, and supporting homegrown artists.
The Arab youth are not content to be mere consumers of culture, they want to be its creators and curators.
Arnab Neil Sengupta
Saudi Arabia has pulled out all the stops to position itself as a global entertainment hub, opening its doors to both international and local talent. The Kingdom's support for music, film and live events has created a vibrant cultural scene, attracting global players who are now investing in discovering and promoting Arab artists. This influx of capital and expertise is not only creating jobs but also elevating the region's cultural output to international standards.
The UAE has committed more than 30 billion dirhams ($8.1 billion) to a decade-long strategy to boost its creative industries. The establishment of the Creative Media Authority is just one part of this vision, aiming to unify various creative sectors into a vibrant ecosystem and nurture emerging fields like gaming and e-sports.
Meanwhile, Qatar has established itself as a regional leader in the creative economy, with its cultural and creative industries contributing 20 billion riyals ($5.4 billion) in 2021 — about 2 percent of its gross domestic product — and more than a third of university graduates specializing in creative fields.
These three Gulf governments are using a mix of world-class infrastructure, robust policy support and targeted incentives to build an environment where young talent in art, music and entertainment can thrive and contribute substantially to economic growth.
The Gulf region's approach offers valuable lessons for other Arab countries, many of which remain heavily reliant on hydrocarbons or are betting exclusively on AI and tech. While digital transformation is essential, it need not come at the expense of human creativity, a resource as renewable as it is underutilized. By investing in the creative economy, Middle Eastern and North African countries can diversify their revenue streams, promote social cohesion and project a positive image of the region to the world.
For the Arab world, the benefits of a thriving creative economy go beyond dollars and jobs. In a region often defined by conflict and crisis, the arts offer a means of healing, dialogue and self-expression. They help societies process trauma, challenge stereotypes and contemplate alternative futures. For young Arab people, in particular, the creative industries provide a chance to tell their own stories on their own terms.
To sum up, the time has come for Arab governments, businesses and communities to recognize the creative economy not as an afterthought but as a strategic asset. The Gulf states' investments offer a template for the rest of the Arab world, but the real engine of change will be the region's youth. If given the resources, trust and freedom to create, they could transform not just their own lives, but the future of the Arab world itself.