News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Amazon today announced a landmark collaboration, unveiled at the Congress of Arabic and Creative Industries, to build the most comprehensive digital Arabic collection ever available on Amazon through the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC). The initiative will make thousands of Arabic-language books accessible in eBook and audiobook formats over the next three years, revolutionising global access to Arabic literature and culture.
Under this strategic collaboration, Amazon will launch a dedicated storefront enabling millions of customers to discover and engage with Arabic literature and cultural content. Customers will be able to access Arabic-language eBooks and audiobooks from Audible, the leading producer and provider of premium audio storytelling,. Combining Amazon Ads solutions and AWS cloud computing capabilities with ALC’s publishing expertise and cultural mandate, the storefront will showcase works from across the Arab world.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This collaboration represents a milestone in our mission to elevate Arabic literature and champion our national language. Leveraging Amazon’s global reach and expertise, the partnership will provide a gateway for readers everywhere to experience the depth and diversity of written Arabic. It is a pivotal step towards embedding Arabic culture and creativity within the global cultural dialogue, ensuring it continues to thrive for generations to come.”
Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President, Amazon Middle East, Africa and Turkey, said: “The Arabic language is a pillar of our culture and identity, carrying centuries of knowledge, creativity, and connection. By collaborating with the Department of Culture and Tourism, we aim to celebrate and expand access to this rich heritage. Amazon began as a destination for books, and today we unite our stores, Amazon Ads solutions, and AWS cloud services to enable the most comprehensive Digital Arabic Library on Amazon. Together, we’re combining technology and culture to inspire readers and creators across the Arab world, sharing the beauty of Arabic globally.”
The initiative supports ALC’s mission to promote Arabic readership globally, ensure the preservation and accessibility of Arabic heritage, and engage younger generations through modern reading formats, including Kindle and Audible. With global Arabic speakers estimated at over 400 million, the project taps into a vast, underserved regional and diaspora audiences.
Over the next three years, ALC will work with publishers from across the MENA region to digitise print titles and make them available on the new storefront. Amazon will promote these titles across its extensive marketing and distribution channels, ensuring visibility to millions of potential readers worldwide. Beyond making Arabic literature more accessible, this initiative creates new opportunities for Arabic publishers and authors to connect with readers globally.
The programme will also provide technical and operational support to publishers, helping them adapt to the fast-growth of digital books.
