Growing up in Libya, I witnessed first-hand how young people’s potential often goes untapped. In a country facing challenges across education, employment, and technology, I knew that if we wanted a better future, we had to start by investing in youth today.
My journey started with a simple but powerful belief: technology and innovation can transform lives. I wanted to create opportunities where none existed, to give young people the tools they needed not just to survive, but to thrive and lead. This belief drove me to found LYBOTICS — Libya’s National Robotics Program.
Through LYBOTICS, we empower youth by providing hands-on STEM education, leadership opportunities, and a space to innovate and dream big. Since we started, we have reached more than 3,000 students and 200 mentors across over 20 cities in Libya. From building competition-ready robots to launching digital safety initiatives like Salam@Libya, we are helping young people develop critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills.
At LYBOTICS, our work directly advances multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We champion quality education by providing free and accessible robotics programs that bridge educational gaps, particularly where formal school systems fall short. We promote gender equality by ensuring girls have equal opportunities in STEM, empowering them to thrive as engineers, coders, and future tech leaders. By equipping youth with skills for tomorrow’s industries, we contribute to decent work and economic growth and help shape a workforce ready for Libya’s digital economy. Through robotics competitions and innovation workshops, we foster industry, innovation, and infrastructure, nurturing creativity and technological progress. Above all, we support peace, justice, and strong institutions by creating spaces where young people from diverse regions collaborate, build dialogue, and unite under a shared vision for the future.
One of the proudest moments in this journey was leading the #OMGRobots campaign in partnership with Goodwall, where we reached and inspired 1 million young people to rethink STEM and robotics education. Another major milestone was pushing the government to recognize LYBOTICS as the official national robotics program — a step that proves how youth-led initiatives can influence policy and drive real change.
Despite the many challenges — from limited resources to political instability — the passion and resilience of Libya’s youth keeps me inspired every day. Watching students who once had no access to technology now build sophisticated robots and dream of careers in science and innovation shows me that change is possible.
Looking ahead, we are expanding our programs, launching a second season of the Libya STEM Championship, and building the LYBOTICS Coding and Robotics Academy to reach even more students, including those in underserved areas.
Our mission is simple but powerful: together, we can build a better Libya through education, innovation, and hope.
About the Joint SDG Fund’s Youth Corner:
The Youth Corner is a platform hosted by the Joint SDG Fund to amplify youth voices, celebrate their impact, and foster meaningful engagement in sustainable development. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the Joint SDG Fund, the United Nations, or its partners. View the extended version of the website policies here.
