Mustafa Abd Ellatif: EYouth Aims to Reach 15 Million Young Men and Women by 2027

Embarking on a successful entrepreneurial journey requires several elements, the first being perseverance, the ability to face challenges, and choosing an idea that solves a real problem. This is what contributed to the success of the Egyptian startup EYouth, specializing in educational technology, which has achieved numerous successes in recent years. Entrepreneur Mustafa Abd Ellatif, founder and CEO of EYouth, discusses this journey in detail in his interview with Egypt Innovate.

The Early Beginning
Mustafa Abd Ellatif's journey into the world of education and entrepreneurship began early. He says, "I started years before founding EYouth, when I was a student at the Faculty of Engineering at Assiut University. I was surrounded by intelligent and hardworking students, but it was clear that there was a significant gap between what we learned in the classroom and what the job market actually needed. I saw my classmates graduating without confidence, feeling unprepared, despite having studied for many years." This reality was painful for me, and it sparked a question that never left me: Why does the education system fail to transform knowledge into skills and opportunities?

Later, when I had the chance to study entrepreneurship in the United States, I saw a completely different model—a practical model that links education to innovation and job opportunities, and empowers students to build their own futures. My studies in management in Switzerland then helped me understand how to build robust educational systems that allow for sustainability and expansion. This academic diversity between Egypt, the United States, and Switzerland created a clear vision within me: that education is not a theoretical laboratory, but rather an economic and social gateway that must be managed with an entrepreneurial mindset.

He adds that studying in these three different environments profoundly shaped his perspective. In Egypt, he witnessed immense but untapped human potential and saw young people with far greater intelligence than what is available to them. In the United States, he learned how to transform ideas into companies and how a university can become an incubator for innovation, not just a place to study. And in Switzerland, he learned the importance of methodology and discipline in building long-term education and a sustainable social impact.

A Pivotal Experience
Regarding the pivotal moment or experience when he felt he wanted to build a platform that would change the lives of young people, he says: “It was a very powerful experience for me in one of the villages of Upper Egypt. I was working on a small training program with very limited resources, and after the program ended, we sat down with a group of young people and had a frank conversation. One of them said something I will never forget: ‘We don’t want anyone to help us… but we need an opportunity to prove ourselves.’ This was a true moment of awareness. I understood then that the problem wasn’t just a lack of skills, but the absence of a path that leads a person to a fair opportunity. I left that meeting feeling a great responsibility. That moment was the spark that made me decide to build something bigger than a training workshop… something that could change the lives of millions.”

Challenges
One of the most difficult challenges Abdel Latif faced in his early days was the idea of ​​proving himself. To start as a young man without funding, without a network of contacts, and without marketing power is not easy. There were those who doubted his abilities and the idea itself, and he had to prove every step with results, not just words.
He adds: “We also faced significant financial challenges, and there were many times when we didn’t know if we would continue or not. But three things saved us: belief in the idea, as we could see the impact of what we were doing on young people right before our eyes; secondly, the team, as having people who believed in the same message made continuity possible; and thirdly, continuous learning. We were never ashamed of failure; every mistake was a lesson.”

The Beginning of EYouth
Regarding the beginning of EYouth, he says: “We started with a very small idea: how to reach young people outside the capital? Our first project was a series of training workshops in the provinces. We traveled by train, carrying basic equipment, and worked long hours for almost no pay. The first challenge we overcame was building trust, both the trust of the young people and the trust of our partners. When we saw the first 10,000 young people succeed and find real opportunities, I realized that we had taken the first step on the right path.”
The company has reached over 4 million learners in 21 countries, and Abdul Latif believes three key factors contributed to this success:
- First, a constant focus on the genuine needs of young people. The company didn't offer training simply for the sake of it; instead, they started by identifying the job market, understanding the skills gap, and then developing tailored programs.
- Second, partnerships. From day one, the team decided to collaborate with the government, the private sector, and international organizations to reach the widest possible audience and achieve a real impact.
- Third, technology. Without a robust and flexible platform, the company wouldn't have been able to operate across 21 countries with thousands of trainers.

Expanding
Abd Ellatif notes that the company chose to expand into Saudi Arabia and the UAE because they are the primary drivers of development in the region. Saudi Arabia is leading a massive economic transformation, with a clear vision for the role of youth in the new economy, creating enormous demand for training, employment, and entrepreneurship. The UAE represents another model of innovation and modern education, and is a global hub for talent and the creative economy. The company is also preparing to expand into Nigeria, Iraq, Morocco, and other countries.

From Learning to Employment
The platform also operates on a model called Learning to Earning, which Abd Ellatif explains: “This means that the training program doesn’t end with a certificate, but rather with a job opportunity. We start with companies and identify their needs, then we develop training programs based on that. Finally, we create direct connections between companies and suitable young people for the jobs.”

Regarding his biggest achievement, which he considers a turning point, he says: “The most memorable moment for me was when I saw the first batch of graduates from the program actually secure jobs. I felt that all the effort hadn’t been in vain. The most significant turning point for the company was when we started serving Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and many other countries besides Egypt. At that point, I felt that the idea was bigger than just a project; it was a regional mission.”

In Egypt, the company worked with the Ministries of Communications and Youth, which helped it reach hundreds of thousands of young people in every governorate. In Saudi Arabia, the company partnered with the public and private sectors, allowing its programs to be part of a larger vision for transforming the labor market. In the UAE, the focus on innovation and digital education led EYouth to develop advanced technological programs and participate in impactful community initiatives.

Challenges of Educational Technology
Abd Ellatif discusses the challenges facing the educational technology sector in the Arab world, stating: “The sector is still in its early stages, and there are significant challenges such as the lack of specialized and high-quality Arabic content, the gap between what students learn and the jobs they apply for, the disparity in technological infrastructure between countries, and the difficulty of securing funding compared to traditional sectors. However, despite these challenges, the opportunities are enormous.”

Regarding EYouth’s approach to these challenges, he says: “We worked on three main pillars:
1) Strong Arabic Content: We built one of the largest internationally accredited Arabic libraries.
2) Technology: We developed an online and hybrid platform that supports millions of learners.
3) Linking Training to Outcomes: No program is implemented without employment, a project, or clear impact measurement.”

Abd Ellatif believes that the greatest opportunity to transform educational technology in the coming period is artificial intelligence in education, assessment, and career guidance. Artificial intelligence will streamline learning time, guide each student according to their abilities and needs, and create a fair and effective assessment system to replace traditional exams.

The Future of EYouth
Mustafa Abd Ellatif speaks about the future of EYouth, saying: “I envision us not only as the largest digital education platform for youth in the region, but also as the platform connecting millions of young people with real job opportunities, projects, and startups. Our goal is to reach 15 million young men and women by 2027 and to be a key element in enabling the digital economy in the region.”

The NextEra Experience
Mustafa Abd Ellatif also co-founded NextEra. He speaks about this experience, saying: “This experience taught me that university education in the region needs a complete redesign. We are building a new model that directly links university studies to the job market and international universities. It’s a challenging experience with a great responsibility, but its impact is real and very future-oriented. I believe that education is a continuous journey from school to university to the job market. EYouth serves young people aged 15-35 with training and employment opportunities, while NextEra serves the academic stage. The two complement each other.”

The company aims to reach 10 million learners by 2027. Abd Ellatif believes there are three essential steps to achieving this: technological expansion using artificial intelligence in guidance, assessment, and follow-up; strong government partnerships in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Africa; and a focus on employment outcomes rather than enrollment numbers.

Leadership

Mustafa Abd Ellatif was selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He believes that awards and accolades are not the end of the road, but rather the beginning of greater responsibility. He sees them as proof that success is possible, which motivates him to work more diligently and to be a voice for Arab youth and their ability to achieve the impossible.

Abd Ellatif points out that certain leadership skills have greatly helped him, including flexibility, adaptability, viewing crises as opportunities, and quick decision-making. He believes that in the world of entrepreneurship, being slow is worse than making mistakes. On a personal level, he learns every day how to be a leader who listens more than he speaks. Abdul Latif directs a message to any young person who wants to start the entrepreneurial journey, saying: Do not wait for ideal circumstances, as there is no such thing as complete readiness. Start with what you have, and you will learn from every step, and every mistake will bring you closer to success. Even if the path was difficult, there is always an opportunity if you look for it honestly.