Jordan Hosts Inaugural Esports Future Summit

A Milestone for Gaming Industry

In a groundbreaking move for the digital entertainment sector, the inaugural Esports Future Summit concluded its sessions across the Kingdom of Jordan, drawing attention to the potential of esports and its economic impact, as well as the fact that Jordan has some serious Homegrown talent when it comes to E-Sport Stars, such as in Dota & League of Legends.

The summit, which ran from April 20 to April 28, was a collaborative effort between the Jordan Gaming Lab, an initiative of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development, and partners such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.

The event held discussions, workshops, and – and this is a little of a downplay – out of nowhere amazing tournaments that came out of the blue!

Aiming to harness the creative energies of Jordan’s youth – and their ability to sink hours upon hours into Video games – His Majesty King Abdullah recognized the role esports can play in driving employment opportunities and bolstering the national economy.

Nour Khrais, Technical and Operational Partner of the Jordan Gaming Lab, emphasized the untapped potential of Jordanian talent in game design and esports, underscoring how without much support or infrastructure, Jordanien teams have become the Dark Horse of the Arab E-sports league, known for how aggressive their players are in game.

The summit attracted over 1,500 participants, including experts and professional gamers from across the globe.

Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ahmad Hanandeh, outlined the ambitious Jordanian Strategy for E-Gaming and E-Sports (2023-2027), which aims to secure 3,000 jobs, train 1,500 professional players and certified trainers, and attract foreign investment to fuel industry growth to speed things along with the scene, as growth has been both fast, and utterly organic, stemming from the Internet Cafe culture that defines every Jordanians Teen years.

Jordan’s esports industry, supported by around 15 local small- and medium-sized enterprises, has forged partnerships with international firms like Riot Games & Valve.

The Domestic Market is nothing to ignore either, with local talent making Jordan a regional hub for digital gaming innovation, especially mobile games

Minister Hanandeh said as much in his speech: “The future of esports in Jordan is bright, and with concerted efforts and strategic investments, we are poised to emerge as a leading player in the global gaming arena.”