Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation

What Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation does

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) is a Dubai government non-profit foundation established in 2007 to promote knowledge, education, and innovation across the Arab world. It operates a multi-initiative portfolio spanning a digital knowledge platform (the Digital Knowledge Hub at ddl.ae, hosting 35+ million materials and 2+ million titles across 171 countries), publishing (Qindeel), training services (Qindeel Educational, Future Skills Academy), flagship events (the annual Knowledge Summit, Youth Knowledge Forum), and language and literacy programs (Bil Arabi, Literacy Challenge targeting 30 million Arab youth by 2030). Strategic partnerships anchor its operations, most notably a UNDP collaboration since 2008 through the Global Knowledge Project, Coursera for AI-powered workforce skills training across 9 Arab states, and institutional MoUs with ALECSO, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, EBRD, and several UAE government entities.

The foundation's core technology is the Digital Knowledge Hub, the largest open Arab digital repository aggregating content from 170+ partners including Dubai government entities and Arab institutions, alongside the Future Skills Academy delivered through Coursera's AI-powered platform. The foundation also launched the world's first ISO manual integrating knowledge management (ISO 30401) and AI management (ISO 42001) standards. Revenue is generated primarily through Dubai government funding and grants, with secondary income streams from book publishing and distribution (Qindeel) and training/capacity-building services (Qindeel Educational). The vast majority of programs and digital content are provided free of charge, reflecting a social-impact model rather than a transactional pricing model. Customer segments are spread across general readers, Arab youth and students, government entities, and writers/publishers, with a hybrid segmentation approach balancing direct-to-consumer digital access with institutional partnerships and event-driven community engagement.

MBRF positions itself as a strategic instrument of Dubai's knowledge economy agenda, leveraging government backing, the personal brand of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and a global partnership network (UNDP, UN, Coursera, ALECSO) to convene knowledge actors and disseminate Arabic-language content. Operating geographies span MENA, with program presence or book fair participation extending to Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy), North America (Canada), Oceania (Australia), and South Asia (Pakistan). Leadership is headed by CEO Jamal Bin Huwaireb, and the foundation maintains SGS ISO 9001 quality certification.

Name

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation

Legal name

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation

Website

https://mbrf.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

MBRF is a Dubai government non-profit foundation that promotes Arabic knowledge, education, and innovation across the Arab world through the Digital Knowledge Hub, Knowledge Summit, Future Skills Academy, Bil Arabi, and publishing operations, serving readers, youth, governments, and publishers in 171 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational and Cultural Knowledge Services

NAICS

Publishing Industries (513), Software Publishers (5132), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Archives, Libraries & Institutional Access Platforms (MPAJAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Foundational Computer & Device Literacy (EDAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Knowledge dissemination programs
• Arabic language promotion
• Digital knowledge repository
• Educational publishing services
• Literacy and skills training

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: As a Dubai government-affiliated foundation, the organization operates primarily through government funding and mandates to promote knowledge economy development in the UAE and Arab world.
2. Publishing and Book Distribution: Revenue generated through Qindeel publishing operations, distributing books through international book fairs, and translating foreign books into Arabic. Books cover management, history, heritage, success stories, scientific topics, and literature.
3. Training and Capacity Building Services: Qindeel Educational provides training workshops, capacity building programs, and professional development services across different sectors, generating revenue through educational service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation operates the Digital Knowledge Hub (ddl.ae), the largest open Arab digital repository with 35+ million materials and 2+ million titles, alongside flagship initiatives including the annual Knowledge Summit, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award, the Bil Arabi Arabic-language initiative, the Future Skills Academy (with Coursera), Qindeel publishing, and the Global Knowledge Project with UNDP. The foundation functions as a knowledge ecosystem spanning digital platforms, events, publishing, awards, training, and community programs targeting readers, youth, government entities, and writers across the Arab world.

Product overview

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation operates as a multi-initiative knowledge platform with several distinct products and programs. The core offerings include the Digital Knowledge Hub (ddl.ae), an open Arab platform for digital knowledge content, complemented by the annual Knowledge Summit event and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award. The foundation runs education initiatives including the Future Skills Academy (partnered with Coursera), Qindeel publishing house, and Nobel Museum. Language and cultural programs include Bil Arabi (Arabic language promotion), Dubai International Program for Writing, and House of Poetry. Social initiatives include Literacy Challenge (targeting 30 million youth), My Family is Reading, and Knowledge Lounge sessions. Research programs include The Global Knowledge Project (with UNDP since 2008). These products work together to form a comprehensive knowledge ecosystem spanning digital platforms, events, awards, publishing, education technology, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bil Arabi: Initiative to encourage youth to use Arabic language in communication
• Knowledge Summit
• Knowledge Award
• Digital Knowledge Hub
• Future Skills Academy
• Dubai International Program for Writing

Products and services

• Digital Knowledge Hub (مركز المعرفة الرقمي) The largest open Arab digital repository for documented and approved knowledge content, providing 35+ million digital materials and 2+ million titles across all fields of human knowledge. Aims to bridge the Arab digital and knowledge gap.
• Knowledge Summit (قمة المعرفة) The annual premier global knowledge event focusing on exchanging experiences and transferring knowledge, serving as a reference for setting plans and drawing future knowledge policies.
• Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (جائزة محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم للمعرفة) An annual award presented to individuals or international institutions with significant contributions to the dissemination of knowledge.
• Bil Arabi (بالعربي) An initiative launched in 2013 to encourage Arabs to use their mother tongue via the Internet and social media channels, contributing to the development of the knowledge role of the Arabic language internationally.
• Dubai International Program for Writing (برنامج دبي الدولي للكتابة) An innovative approach to enrich the intellectual and literary movement in the UAE and worldwide, focusing on creative writing development.
• Qindeel (قنديل) An investment project establishing a position as a leading Emirati institution in the publishing, printing and distribution industry, selecting and publishing works by major Arab authors and translating foreign books into Arabic.
• Qindeel Educational (قنديل التعليمية) Provides training, workshops, and capacity building services across different sectors with new approaches for professional development.
• Nobel Museum (متحف نوبل) A museum highlighting the importance and stature of the Nobel Prize worldwide and the winners' contributions to changing the world.
• Future Skills Academy (أكاديمية مهارات المستقبل) A joint initiative with UNDP and Coursera providing AI-powered tailored learning experiences for the next generation of Arab States' workforce, combining employability skills, soft skills, digital acumen, and functional abilities.
• My Family is Reading (عائلتي تقرأ) An initiative that aims to enhance knowledge levels by introducing globally famous books and translating them into Arabic, covering management, history, heritage, success stories, and literature.
• Literacy Challenge (تحدي الأمية) An initiative launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum targeting 30 million Arab youth and children until 2030 to eliminate illiteracy in the Arab world.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35 million+ free digital materials and 2+ million titles accessible through the Digital Knowledge Hub
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• ALECSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026MBRF signed an MoU with ALECSO to enhance the use of Arabic language in scientific and intellectual domains, aiming to strengthen the position of Arabic in academic and knowledge circles.
• Union CoopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2025Union Coop and MBRF signed an MoU to support community and knowledge-based initiatives in Dubai. Union Coop promotes the foundation's programs and facilitates community engagement through its commercial centers, expanding the reach of MBRF's knowledge initiatives to retail consumers.
• Dubai PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Dubai Police and MBRF explore avenues to enhance cooperation in knowledge sharing and research domains, strengthening collaboration between government entities.
• American University in Sharjah (AUS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2025Partnership to advance research collaboration, digital transformation, and Arabic language initiatives, including joint research projects and knowledge exchange programs.
• Dubai Judicial InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024MoU to strengthen cooperation and accomplish strategic objectives in knowledge development and dissemination within the judicial and legal sector.
• Arab Council for Social ResponsibilitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 September 2024MoU to support Arab youth and promote community engagement, aiming to strengthen social responsibility and youth empowerment in the Arab world.
• Arab Publishers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2024MoU signed to support the publishing sector, enhance cooperation in publishing and knowledge dissemination, and strengthen the Arab publishing ecosystem.
• Bibliotheca AlexandrinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2024MoU signed to support knowledge accessibility for all members of society, particularly people of determination. Collaboration to enhance knowledge access across Arab populations.
• LinkedIncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2016Partnership agreement signed with LinkedIn for knowledge sharing and professional development initiatives.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Strategic partnership with UNDP since 2008 for the Global Knowledge Project, engaging over 180,000 individuals from inside and outside the Arab world. MBRF and UNDP co-organize the Knowledge Summit (10th edition in 2025), Youth Knowledge Forum, and Future Skills Academy.
• CourseraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoursera partnership for the Future Skills Academy providing tailored AI-powered learning experiences for Arab workforce. The FutureSkills4All initiative offers 500 new training opportunities across 9 Arab states. MBRF targets the Middle East with aggressive Arabic translations (2,000 courses in three months) aligned with national development visions.
• Digital Content Partners (170+ from Dubai Government and Arab institutions)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Digital Knowledge Hub aggregates content from 170+ content partners including Dubai government entities and Arab institutions, making it the largest open Arab digital repository with 35+ million materials.
• American University in DubaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to share knowledge and advance research, aiming to create a knowledge-based ecosystem between the university and the foundation.
• Canadian University DubaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to promote exchange of knowledge and develop joint knowledge initiatives with the university.
• Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement signed at the Misk Global Forum to foster dissemination of knowledge, combining two major Arab knowledge foundations.
• King Salman Global Academy for Arabic LanguagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration to promote the Arabic language, strengthen its prominence, and support the Bil Arabi initiative's ongoing efforts.
• ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement with ICESCO to promote knowledge development. ICESCO co-organizes the Youth Knowledge Forum in Morocco and supports the Million Qualified Innovators initiative in Egypt.
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the FutureSkills4All initiative, the EBRD partnership provides 500 new training opportunities under the joint collaboration between the Knowledge Project, UNDP, and MBRF.
• Arab Federation for Digital EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeeting held to strengthen collaboration in digital economy and knowledge sectors across the Arab world.
• EYouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to develop knowledge content and empower future generations through digital knowledge platforms and youth capacity building.
• Emirates Schools EstablishmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBRF provides books and the Al Ghani Al Zahir dictionary to Emirates schools, distributing over 22,000 books in conjunction with UAE Reading Month.
• Oxford UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Scholarship at Oxford University supports graduate education for Arab talents, with annual graduate celebrations hosted by MBRF.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Qatar National Library: Qatar's flagship national library and digital knowledge platform, offering vast Arabic and international collections. Operates a comparable model of government-funded digital and physical knowledge infrastructure serving the Arab world.
• ICESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization): Intergovernmental organization promoting education, science, and culture across the Islamic world. MBRF co-organizes the Youth Knowledge Forum with ICESCO and partners on the Million Qualified Innovators initiative in Egypt, evidencing direct overlap in mission and program delivery.
• ALECSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization): Arab League institution for education, culture, and science with a mandate to promote Arabic content. MBRF has an active MoU with ALECSO to enhance Arabic language use in scientific domains, evidencing close comparability in mandate and Arab knowledge ecosystem role.
• King Abdulaziz Public Library: Saudi Arabia's premier public library and digital knowledge institution under the Ministry of Culture. Operates comparable digital repository, Arabic content, and government-affiliated knowledge dissemination mandate.
• Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Egypt's major revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria; operates as a massive digital and physical knowledge repository serving Arabic-speaking audiences. MBRF has an active MoU with Bibliotheca Alexandrina, evidencing direct comparability as a flagship Arab knowledge institution.
• Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk): Saudi non-profit foundation focused on youth empowerment, knowledge, and skills development. MBRF has an active partnership with Misk signed at the Misk Global Forum, evidencing direct comparability as a flagship Arab knowledge/youth foundation.
• King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language: Saudi-based academy focused on Arabic language promotion and global dissemination. MBRF has a strategic collaboration with the Academy around the Bil Arabi initiative and jointly received the King Salman Global Academy Arabic Language Award.

Broad incumbents

• Qatar Foundation: Qatar's large-scale national foundation spanning education, research, and community development through Education City and global initiatives. Overlaps with MBRF in knowledge dissemination, education platforms, and Arab workforce development at much larger scope.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global online learning platform that powers MBRF's Future Skills Academy. While Coursera is the technology and content partner (not direct competitor), it represents the underlying learning infrastructure that MBRF relies on for its workforce development scale.

Regional players

• Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): Dubai government authority overseeing education and knowledge-based economic development. Operates in the same Dubai government ecosystem as MBRF with overlapping knowledge economy mandates, though focused on private education quality regulation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mbRF_Knowledge
• Facebookfacebook.com/mbrf.ae
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation