Disclaimer: This map is provided to facilitate the general location of the EAA supported projects. EAA does not have an official position regarding boundaries of or
disputed boundaries between countries.
How the MUSTAQBALAK Project Is Rewriting the Future of Yemen’s Youth
In Yemen, where years of conflict have left deep social and economic scars, a quiet revolution is unfolding—not on battlefields, but in back alleys, corner shops, family kitchens, and modest storefronts. At the heart of this transformation is the MUSTAQBALAK project, a bold initiative aimed at empowering 25,200 young Yemeni entrepreneurs with the tools, training, and trust they need to build their own futures.
Implemented through a strategic partnership between Silatech and Al-Amal Microfinance Bank, and supported by Education Above All Foundation, MUSTAQBALAK offers more than just financial services. It weaves together concessional e-loans, digital training in financial inclusion, and one-on-one mentorship into a three-pronged strategy designed to help youth not only survive—but thrive.
But the true measure of this project’s impact isn’t in numbers alone. It lives in the stories of young women and men whose lives have taken unexpected turns toward hope, growth, and possibility. These are their journeys.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
In Aden, Fatima Al-Juaidi turned a family tradition into a movement of sweetness and resilience. What began as a love for preparing desserts with her mother blossomed into Fatafeet Al-Sukkar, a confectionery business that now serves an ever-growing community of loyal customers. With the help of MUSTAQBALAK’s e-loan and entrepreneurship training, Fatima learned to turn her talent into a structured business—expanding her brand and dreaming of her own bakery storefront.
Her story reflects the spirit of the project: empowering young people—especially women—with not only capital, but confidence.
Commerce Born of Community Needs
In the northern governorate of Hajjah, Jameel Drinah watched his neighbors walk long distances for daily essentials. With no job offers in sight, he turned necessity into opportunity. Supported by the project’s training platform, Al-Amal Learn, and access to flexible financing, Jameel opened a grocery store that became more than a shop—it became a neighborhood anchor. His shelves now feed not just households, but the belief that local entrepreneurship can restore dignity and independence in fragile economies.
Tech Dreams in Amran
For Abdulwahab Al-Ghubisi, the future was always electric. His fascination with gadgets turned into a career path when he launched an electronics store in Amran. MUSTAQBALAK helped him bridge the gap between vision and execution—equipping him with skills in inventory control, marketing, and digital outreach. As his business grew, so did his ambition. Today, he sells and repairs cutting-edge devices while using online platforms to expand his customer base beyond city limits.
Abdulwahab’s journey highlights how digital literacy and access to finance can power even the most tech-driven aspirations in underserved communities.
Healing Through Entrepreneurship
Fresh from pharmacy school, Tawfiq Al-Ashmouri faced a harsh reality: knowledge alone could not solve his community’s access to medicine. Determined to make a difference, he opened a small pharmacy in Amran, funded by a youth e-loan and grounded in the training he received on business operations and client care. His shop quickly became a lifeline, offering not just affordable medicine but trusted advice and home delivery services for the elderly.
His story is a reminder that when youth are supported to lead, they fill the gaps where public systems fall short.
Inspiration by Example
Sometimes, success begins with watching someone else rise. That’s how Yasser Al-Qadi, after seeing a friend’s transformation through MUSTAQBALAK, found the courage to open his own grocery store in Sana’a. Through training and funding, Yasser built a business that now serves as a cornerstone of his community—and a springboard for even bigger dreams. He’s already planning to expand into pharmacy and stationery sales, transforming his shop into a full-service local hub.
His story proves that impact spreads—it’s contagious, even.
From Hobbyist to Business Owner
In another quiet corner of Sana’a, Saddam Sailan spent hours in solitude repairing electronics. What began as a hobby soon became a vision: a fully functioning electronics repair and sales shop. With support from the project, he turned his passion into a profitable venture. Now, Saddam runs a business that not only earns income, but also preserves resources and supports digital inclusion.
His success showcases how talent, when nurtured, becomes enterprise.
Feeding Families, Building Futures
Saleh Al-Junaidi and Mohammed Sabbar Al-Jumaai both saw grocery stores as more than just places to shop—they saw them as places to serve. In Aden and Hajjah respectively, they each opened small stores that quickly became vital parts of their neighborhoods. With guidance from Al-Amal Learn and financial backing, they expanded their offerings, improved supply chains, and created reliable sources of income for their families.
These stories illustrate how familiar businesses, when launched with the right foundation, can anchor communities in stability.
Scooping Up Joy
And finally, there’s Mohammed Al-Khawlani — a young man whose dream was simple: to make people smile. Through a small ice cream shop in Sana’a, funded by an e-loan and fueled by his love for joy, Mohammed did exactly that. He turned scoops into smiles and customers into community. Now, he’s planning to grow his brand and compete with global names.
His dream may be lighthearted—but the impact is deep.
A New Future on the Horizon
MUSTAQBALAK is more than a project—it’s a platform for possibility. In a country where headlines often speak of loss, these stories speak of growth. In Yemen, where futures are too often shaped by forces beyond individual control, this initiative is giving young people the power to rewrite their narratives.
From Fatima’s kitchen to Tawfiq’s pharmacy, from Jameel’s market to Ahmed’s fiber cables, each story threads together a larger message: that with the right training, financial access, and belief, youth can transform adversity into opportunity.
And that’s what the MUSTAQBALAK project is really about—nurturing the dreams of today to build the Yemen of tomorrow.
"Humanity will not overcome the immense challenges we face unless we ensure that children get the quality education that equips them to play their part in the modern world." -- HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser
Our Impact
22million+
total beneficiaries
3.3million +
Youth Economically Empowered
2.6 million+
Skills training provided to teachers, school staff, and community members
July 21, 2025
