Google Hosts Think Apps 2024 in Lahore, Empowering Pakistani Developers
The report noted that Pakistan’s gaming and app industry has shown impressive growth.
Google hosted Think Apps 2024 in Lahore, gathering nearly 350 of Pakistan’s top developers, along with global and regional industry leaders. This event, the largest of its kind in Pakistan, focused on empowering developers to use AI for innovation, growth, and sustainability in the country’s expanding app industry. Building on the success of Think Apps 2023, this year’s event highlighted new opportunities in the gaming and app sectors.
Economic Potential of Pakistan’s Digital Exports
According to Access Partnership’s latest Economic Impact Report, Pakistan could see a $6.6 billion annual increase in revenue by 2030 through digital exports. The gaming and app industry is identified as a key growth area. The report noted that Pakistan’s gaming and app industry has shown impressive growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% in global downloads of locally-made apps from 2018 to 2023. Despite a slight dip in overall app downloads in 2023, which placed Pakistan 17th globally, in-app purchase (IAP) revenue soared by 50%, demonstrating the industry’s resilience.
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New Google Programs for Pakistani Developers
Google announced new programs to support Pakistani developers, focusing on high-quality, sustainable game creation and reaching global users. These initiatives include:
Game Design Masterclass:
A six-month program for Pakistan’s top game developers, teaching them to create high-quality games.
Google Ads Academy:
Offline hackathon workshops in Lahore and Islamabad for marketing professionals from top studios, focusing on app growth strategies.
Build with AI and Cloud AI Study Jams:
Hands-on AI and Cloud training for developers, with over 9,300 participants trained so far.
These programs build on Google’s existing initiatives, such as Google App Academy, which has reached over 800 participants. The workshops, localized in Urdu, provide in-depth knowledge on marketing strategies to maximize reach and profitability.
Deepening Engagement and Global Exposure
Google is also deepening its engagement with the Pakistani developer community by participating in key events like the Google Developer Conference (US), CXO meetups in APAC, and APAC’s App Summit. These events connect leaders of Pakistan’s top gaming and app studios with global peers, helping them gain international exposure and insights.
AI Revolution in App and Game Development
Think Apps 2024 highlighted how AI is transforming game and app development. The event showcased local and regional players using Google’s AI solutions to create high-quality apps, achieve financial success, and build sustainable businesses.
Google’s Commitment to Pakistan’s Developer Ecosystem
Farhan S. Qureshi, Google’s Director for Pakistan, emphasized the potential of Pakistan’s app and gaming industry for long-term growth. He mentioned several leading Pakistani studios, such as Vyro.AI, Hazel Mobile, Games District, GeniTeam, and Finz Games. They consistently generate millions of downloads and employ hundreds of Pakistanis. These studios are gaining global attention and contributing to the country’s digital economy.
“Think Apps 2024 is a testament to our commitment to empowering local developers,” Qureshi said. “By providing access to our AI-powered products and resources, we aim to help them create exceptional games and apps, drive profitability, and build sustainable businesses. This will improve the country’s economy through digital export proceeds and provide high-value employment. Google remains dedicated to investing in Pakistan’s developer ecosystem and supporting its journey to global success.”
Google’s focus on AI, innovation, and sustainability is set to drive the future of Pakistan’s app industry, paving the way for economic growth and global recognition.
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