In the past years, the Arab region witnessed a major development in the use of the Internet and smart phones. These technologies certainly play an important role in the dissemination and access of digital content and are beneficial to society because of the wide accessibility of such content.
 
Studies and research show that digital content has a positive impact on many vital areas such as education, culture, health and business. It also contributes to creating new jobs, especially for technology-savvy young people. For several years, ESCWA has been promoting the development of Digital Arabic Content (DAC) because of its important role in preserving Arabic culture and language and its contribution to the development of Arab society. In addition, ESCWA has undertaken several activities in support of DAC, including the preparation of dedicated studies, the organization of experts group meetings and workshops, and the implementation of projects to support the creation of DAC start-ups.
 
Despite the availability of technology, DAC start-ups are still facing a number of challenges, including: weak infrastructure in some Arab countries, poor regulatory framework for start-ups, and difficulty accessing talent.
 
The table below contains a list of some of the DAC start-ups from different Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. They are effective in different sectors such as fashion, health, education and services. ESCWA will continuously update this table.

List of some Start-ups with Digital Arabic Content