Empowering or Distracting? The Real Impact of Code Libya

9 June 2025

In a world racing toward technological domination, Libya is banking on Code Libya — a national event that promises to transform the country from tech consumers into creators. Sounds inspiring, right? But is it really the silver bullet everyone’s hoping for, or is it another tech spectacle that distracts us from the systemic issues holding 

Libya back?

Code Libya: More Hype Than Hope?

Code Libya bills itself as the catalyst for a bright, digital future. With coding workshops, hackathons, and showcases of local innovation, it claims to unlock Libya’s potential. But let’s be honest. Can a few days of coding really fix decades of underinvestment, crumbling infrastructure, and political instability? Or are we just painting over deep cracks with flashy slogans?

The Skills Revolution… Or a New Kind of Divide?

Sure, learning to code is important. But let’s not kid ourselves: coding alone won’t magically create jobs in a country where stable electricity and reliable internet are luxuries, not guarantees. Are we building a tech-savvy elite while the rest of Libya struggles to keep the lights on? Code Libya claims to empower everyone, but can it truly reach those who need it most, or is it another playground for the already privileged?

Innovation: Solving Real Problems or Chasing Unicorns?

Code Libya likes to talk about “solving real-life Libyan challenges,” from power outages to water management. But how many of these solutions actually get implemented? Hackathon heroes pitch big ideas, but then what? Without follow-through, funding, and serious political will, even the best ideas fade into yet another “innovation graveyard.”

The Myth of the Digital Economy

We’re told that Code Libya will spark a digital economy, attract investment, and create jobs. But let’s talk numbers: How many sustainable tech startups have actually emerged from past events? How many jobs were created real, paying jobs that support families? It’s easy to talk about entrepreneurship; it’s much harder to build companies in an economy that’s still reeling from conflict and division.

The Real Catalyst: Facing the Hard Truths

Code Libya’s biggest contribution might not be the code at all, but the conversation it forces us to have: What do we really need to build a tech-powered Libya? Is it enough to teach young people to code, or do we need to overhaul education, invest in infrastructure, and tackle corruption head-on?

Conclusion: Hype or Hope?

Code Libya is a welcome initiative, but let’s not pretend it’s a magic wand. If we want real change, we need more than just hackathons and workshops. We need a national commitment to invest in education, governance, and opportunity for all Libyans, not just the ones who can make it to the next coding bootcamp.