Information and Communication Technology in Jordan
Jordan’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector is highly competitive, rapidly growing, and is already attracting some of the world’s biggest ICT powerhouses. Leveraging Jordan’s wellspring of young ICT talent, its exceptional investment environment, and its world-class infrastructure and resources, the Jordanian government plays an active role in facilitating and encouraging investments in the country’s ICT sector, including the outsourcing of IT and business process functions—helping companies around the world tap into unrivaled business potential.
40%
of the top visited Arabic websites in the Middle East are Jordanian.
27%
of the region’s top startups are led by Jordanians.
75%
of Arabic internet content is generated by Jordan’s ICT sector.
Highlights of Jordan’s ICT Sector
A Thriving ICT Industry
Jordan’s information and communication technology (ICT) industry comprises an array of diverse subsectors, including software engineering, telecom services, e-commerce, mobile app development, and digital advertising. Each of these sub-sectors has shown remarkable growth in recent years, drawing the attention of both local and international businesses and investors. This growth can be witnessed across all relevant measurements and indicators, including domestic revenues, export revenues, sub-sector diversity, and number of employees. The number of operational ICT companies in the nation has been on a steady upward trajectory, with many of these businesses focusing on lucrative areas like software creation, mobile app development, and digital promotion.
A Supportive Startup Ecosystem
The startup ecosystem in Jordan has played a pivotal role in the rapid expansion of the ICT sector. With a supportive business environment that encourages innovation, an abundance of local talent, and a wealth of access to funding, Jordan’s startup scene has become a hotbed for budding entrepreneurs and investors. The emergence of incubators and accelerators in Jordan has provided startups with essential resources to kickstart their businesses. As a result of this strong ICT ecosystem, 27 of the MENA region’s top 100 tech entrepreneurs are Jordanian, despite the fact that Jordan’s population accounts for only 3% of the region’s population.
A large number of incubators and accelerators are active in Jordan, offering a wide range of services and support, including mentorship, office facilities, networking opportunities, and access to funding.
In 2021, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship launched the National Entrepreneurship Policy, this policy has supported the implementation of more than 20 projects designed to further strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and empower local entrepreneurs.
Robust Infrastructure
Jordan has made substantial investments to advance its ICT infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity, high-speed internet access, and dependable services. The government has prioritized the growth of high-speed internet access nationwide, with ongoing projects underway to extend fiber-optic coverage and 4G LTE services. The recent introduction of 5G services in Jordan has further improved connectivity, delivering ultra-fast internet speeds and minimal latency that can readily accommodate the latest cutting-edge applications and technologies. Additionally, Jordan has established an expanding network of data centers, providing secure and dependable hosting solutions for businesses and organizations.
Attracting Global Technology Giants
Jordan’s thriving ICT sector has attracted the attention of major global technology leaders, who have chosen to establish their regional offices and research centers in the country. High-profile multinational companies like Microsoft, Expedia, Amazon, Cisco, Oracle, Webhelp, APG, Auto-Desk, BIGO, Juniper, and Huawei have already set up operations in Jordan, further elevating the country’s status as a regional and 3 global ICT hub. These multinational firms not only contribute to the growth of the sector, but also help transfer knowledge and expertise to local ICT companies and entrepreneurs.
Collaborative Networking
The success of Jordan’s ICT sector can be partly attributed to the country’s highly collaborative ecosystem, which actively encourages and facilitates knowledge exchange and cooperation among stakeholders.
This ecosystem consists of government entities, academic institutions, research centers, and privatesector organizations, all working together to drive the growth and development of the sector as a whole.
Jordan also hosts a number of high-profile tech events, conferences, and workshops, which bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals from across the globe. These include the MENA ICT Forum, Amman Startup Week, and TechWadi, among many others.