Kanan Arabi’s Inspiring Journey
In a world where many measure success through academic degrees and job titles, Kanan Arabi is living proof that passion, resilience, and the courage to forge your own path can lead to extraordinary outcomes. His story isn’t just about coding — it’s about redefining what’s possible when you refuse to let circumstances dictate your future.
Born with a curious mind and an eye for innovation, Kanan’s early years were filled with questions about how things worked. Like many, he initially followed the expected path and enrolled in university. But something didn’t feel right. Deep down, he knew his ambitions were bigger than textbooks and classroom lectures.
“A pivotal moment in my life was when I left university and started traveling with only my laptop,” Kanan shares. This bold decision would mark the beginning of a life-changing chapter.
Discovering Purpose Through One Million Arab Coders
While navigating life on the road with just his laptop and an unshaken determination to learn, Kanan stumbled upon something extraordinary: the One Million Arab Coders initiative, launched in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Designed to empower Arab youth by offering free coding education, the program aimed to create better career opportunities in the booming tech sector.
For Kanan, this wasn’t just another online course — it was a lifeline.
“What inspired me was the freedom to learn and create from anywhere with just a laptop,” he recalls.
Kanan completed the program in 2021, beginning with Java to develop Android apps. As his passion grew, he learned Kotlin, the latest language for Android development. To bring his vision to life on iPhone, he took on Swift as well.
During the process of creating his first mobile app, he realized the importance of aesthetics and usability — enrolling in a UI/UX design course to craft a beautiful and distinctive app interface. Not stopping there, Kanan even ventured into 3D design to meet his app’s creative demands.
The initiative not only gave him structure and resources but also introduced him to a supportive community of like-minded learners who believed that neither background nor location should limit ambition.
Building a Career Without Borders
Kanan’s journey has been anything but conventional. While learning to code online, he worked full-time in a foreign country. The demands of his job, combined with the challenge of self-teaching an entirely new skill set, tested his resilience.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced starting out was managing my time,” he admits. Juggling responsibilities while trying to build a career in tech wasn’t easy. But instead of letting this slow him down, Kanan adopted one of life’s most valuable lessons: consistency matters more than motivation.
“Even when things get tough or time is limited, showing up every day and making small progress has helped me grow and stay focused on my goals.”
Slowly but steadily, Kanan built his coding skills, experimenting with different programming languages, design tools, and eventually mastering multiple aspects of digital product development.
Creating His First Mobile App
Years of persistence and self-education are finally bearing fruit for Kanan. Today, he’s preparing to launch his very first mobile app — a project that combines his coding expertise with UI/UX design and 3D modeling skills.
“I’m currently working on my first mobile app, which involves writing code in three different programming languages and creating 3D designs,” he shares.
This isn’t just an app for Kanan; it’s the culmination of a dream born years ago when he left university with nothing but a laptop and an unshaken belief in himself. The app, whose details remain under wraps for now, is a testament to his creativity and technical talent.
More importantly, this milestone positions Kanan as a rising star in the Arab tech scene — someone who has proven that with enough determination, you can create opportunities for yourself, no matter where you start.
Lessons From the Journey
When asked about the most valuable lesson he’s learned, Kanan reflects on the importance of patience and persistence.
“I would tell my younger self: ‘Be patient, stay consistent, and trust the process. Don’t be afraid to start small — every step forward matters. Focus on learning, not perfection, and believe that your hard work will pay off.’”
It’s advice many aspiring self-taught developers need to hear. In an industry obsessed with fast results and overnight success stories, Kanan’s approach reminds us that slow, steady progress often wins the race.
Inspiring a New Generation of Arab Innovators
Beyond his personal achievements, Kanan hopes his story will inspire other young Arabs, especially those without formal training or resources, to pursue careers in technology.
“I hope to inspire others — especially self-taught developers — to believe in their potential no matter where they start,” he says.
Kanan wants to be remembered not just as a developer but as a professional who used technology to create meaningful, impactful solutions for his community and beyond.
The Road Ahead
With the launch of his app just a few months away, Kanan is looking toward the future with excitement. He envisions a career where he continues building digital products, collaborating with creative minds, and contributing to projects that improve lives.
Long-term, he hopes to establish himself as a versatile developer capable of tackling diverse challenges — from 3D mobile applications to large-scale web platforms. His next goals include mastering more advanced programming languages, expanding his knowledge of artificial intelligence, and exploring opportunities in virtual and augmented reality development.
“The tech industry is the right fit for me because it values continuous learning, problem-solving, and innovation — things I’m deeply passionate about,” Kanan explains.
Final Thoughts
Kanan Arabi’s story is a testament to the power of belief, resilience, and relentless learning. He reminds us that success doesn’t always come with a degree or a conventional job title. Sometimes, it starts with a bold decision, a laptop, and an unshaken dream.
As he stands on the brink of launching his first app — the tangible result of years of self-taught expertise and determination — Kanan’s journey is far from over. If anything, it’s just getting started.
And for every aspiring developer sitting behind a screen, wondering if they’re good enough, Kanan’s story offers a simple, powerful message: Start small, stay consistent, and never stop believing in your potential.
Follow Kinan Arabi’s Journey
You can stay connected with Kinan and watch his tech journey unfold via his Instagram.
Or connect professionally on LinkedIn
