Mohamed El Sheakh

Role: General Manager, MENA and Türkiye, Roblox | Founder, Games Ventures | Founder, Games Majlis

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Background

Mohamed El Sheakh is a games industry executive with more than 20 years of experience across Apple, Microsoft and Nokia. He spent eight years at Nokia in roles covering apps, maps and carrier solutions across the Middle East and Africa before joining Microsoft as Partner Business Lead for Developers across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye.

He later spent almost four years at Apple as Head of App Store for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, working with games and app developers across the region to help them grow on the App Store. He founded Games Ventures in 2024, a MENA-focused mobile games company aimed at building profitable games from the region for local and global audiences.

In January 2025, El Sheakh founded Games Majlis, a regional network of games industry executives focused on talent, investment, innovation and collaboration across the Middle East. The initiative launched with 20 founding members from companies including Tamatem, YallaPlay, Bitkraft Ventures and Impact46.

Current Focus

El Sheakh joined Roblox in May 2026 as General Manager for MENA and Türkiye, where he leads the company's regional expansion strategy, partnerships and developer ecosystem initiatives. His work includes supporting creators, studios and public and private sector partners across the region.

His regional focus also includes growing the creator economy and helping more MENA players become game creators. Roblox has since announced plans to establish its MENA headquarters in Riyadh, with El Sheakh playing a key role in the company's regional strategy.

Industry Position

El Sheakh has worked across several major technology companies and has spent much of his career focused on the Middle East and Africa. His experience covers mobile gaming, app ecosystems, developer partnerships, investment and regional business development.

Through Games Ventures and Games Majlis, he has also worked to connect developers, investors, publishers and other industry leaders across MENA. Games Ventures has partnered with the Arab Youth Centre on training programmes designed to prepare young people for professional careers in game development.

What He Is Open To

Regional partnerships focused on Roblox's creator and developer ecosystem. Collaboration with governments, studios, investors and technology companies across MENA and Türkiye. Talent development and programmes that help more regional creators build and publish games.

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