Xpand Conference 2025: Building Software for a Global Stage

Technology has become the backbone of modern life, driving economic growth and reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Yet amid the activity of entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers steering innovation across the Middle East, one group is often overlooked – the software builders who design and develop the products that underpin this digital transformation.

Xpand Conference, taking place on 4–5 October at the Middle East University (MEU) in Amman, Jordan, aims to change that. By convening more than 1,200 professionals from across the region, the event seeks to create a platform dedicated to the “builder community” – the engineers, designers and product developers who bring technology to life.

Focusing on the builders

While many gatherings highlight investment opportunities, regulatory reforms or start-up culture, Xpand is positioning itself differently. It is being presented as a forum for software professionals to share best practice, acquire skills and engage with global experts. The mission is to enable Middle Eastern talent to design world-class digital products.

This year’s edition comes as governments across the region step up efforts to promote entrepreneurship and technology adoption. From Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to Jordan’s National Entrepreneurship Policy, there is growing recognition that the region’s future prosperity depends heavily on digital capacity. Against that backdrop, Xpand seeks to serve as both a skills accelerator and a networking hub for the builders shaping the next generation of products.

A diverse line-up of speakers

The two-day programme features an extensive roster of regional and international speakers, reflecting the breadth of disciplines involved in software creation. Among them is Sander Hoogendoorn, Chief Technology Officer at iBood, who brings decades of experience in agile development and scaling engineering teams.

Also joining is Gaith Kawar, Director of Design at Claris, an Apple company, alongside Esraa Abutaleb, a product leader at Lite. Other notable contributors include Ahmad Alhour, Senior Data Infrastructure Engineer at Grafana Labs, Majd Jamaah, DevOps Manager at Beyond Limits, and Dareen Alhiyari, Engineering Manager at Google.

The line-up spans specialists from data science and cloud infrastructure to design, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Figures such as Qais Ammouri, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Almosafer; Sohaib Thiab, Chief Product Officer at mobile gaming firm Tamatem; and Mohammad Abu Aboud, Chief Technology Officer at Activepieces, illustrate the mix of corporate leaders and start-up innovators involved.

Regional and international reach

The conference is expected to draw attendees from across the Middle East and North Africa, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, the UAE and Egypt, in addition to local participants from Jordan.

Organisers expect the mix of grassroots developers, start-up founders and corporate engineers to set Xpand apart. The emphasis is on uniting those who build software, regardless of their background or company size.

Industries represented at the event will range from healthtech, fintech and edtech to gaming, entertainment, e-commerce and AI. Infrastructure and software agencies are also expected to take part, highlighting the cross-sector importance of strong software foundations.

Sponsorship and ecosystem support

Xpand has also drawn backing from a wide network of sponsors and partners, underlining the conference’s role in the regional technology ecosystem. Key supporters include Bank Al-Etihad, Maza Ventures, Tamatem and the Future Skills Fund, alongside talent platform Neptune Careers.

The exhibition floor will feature a range of organisations and communities such as Breez AI, ainnovate, MediaTracker, MENADevs, Gaza Sky Geeks, Google Developers Group and the Jordan Open Source Association. Their presence highlights the collaborative spirit the organisers hope to foster, connecting builders not only with one another but also with enablers, investors and industry leaders.

Why now?

The timing of the conference reflects a wider shift. In recent years, technology companies across the Middle East have enjoyed rapid growth, propelled by rising demand for digital services and government initiatives to nurture start-ups. Yet to sustain momentum, many observers argue that the region must strengthen its software talent base.

The conference has been designed to support this transition, ensuring that professionals have access to the latest methodologies, tools and knowledge required to compete internationally. By placing software builders at the centre of the conversation, Xpand is positioning itself as a platform to help transform regional ambition into global impact.

Skills, networking and collaboration

Sessions at Xpand are expected to cover emerging methodologies in software engineering, practical workshops on building and scaling teams, and insights into product management. Beyond technical skills, the event will also address collaboration across disciplines – from design and development to operations and security.

For many attendees, the opportunity to interact with experienced professionals and peers will be just as valuable as the content itself. The conference aims to foster new connections, encourage knowledge sharing and promote collaboration across borders and industries.