Nadia Al-Sakkar

Jordanian tech entrepreneur bridging gender gaps in STEM through innovative education initiatives

Nadia Al-Sakkar, born in 1978, is a trailblazing Jordanian entrepreneur transforming tech education in the Middle East. Founder of TechWomen Jordan in 2005, she designs coding bootcamps and mentorship programs targeting girls from underserved backgrounds. Over 5,000 women have graduated from her programs, with 70% securing tech jobs in a region where only 20% of STEM graduates are female.

Al-Sakkar’s methodology combines online platforms with in-person workshops, ensuring accessibility even in rural areas. Her partnership with Microsoft expanded her reach to Syrian refugees. She also co-created CodeHer, a pan-Arab network connecting female coders to global opportunities.

Her advocacy extends to policy: she advised Jordan’s Ministry of Education on integrating coding into school curricula. Al-Sakkar’s TED Talk ‘Code to Empower’ highlights her vision of tech as a tool for social mobility. Despite societal challenges, her work has positioned Jordan as a regional leader in gender-inclusive tech education.