Amman, Jordan’s capital, has quietly emerged as a hub for software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies in the Middle East. While global headlines focus on Dubai and Riyadh, Amman’s combination of affordable costs, English-speaking talent, and strong universities is enabling a new wave of tech startups to scale across the region.
Jordan has long invested in education, and its universities produce a steady pipeline of graduates in computer science, engineering, and design. For years, these graduates left the country to work abroad. Today, a growing number are staying home, drawn by co-working spaces, accelerators, and SaaS startups targeting niches like logistics, education, and finance. Companies such as Maqsam (a cloud communications platform), Olivery (a logistics SaaS), and Dawatech (accounting software) are building tools tha…
The appeal lies in cost. Operating in Amman is significantly cheaper than in Gulf cities, making it easier for startups to bootstrap or raise modest rounds of funding. Venture capital interest is also rising: Jordan’s SaaS companies attracted record investment in 2024, according to regional startup trackers. Challenges remain, including scaling beyond local markets and limited access to later-stage funding. Still, Amman’s ecosystem is maturing, with growing links to Saudi and UAE investors.
For the region, Amman’s story is important. It shows that MENA’s startup scene is broader than its richest cities and that talent combined with affordability can foster competitive SaaS businesses. As the region diversifies economically, Jordan may yet become the “back office” for much of MENA’s software economy.
