Google hosted Think Apps 2024 in Lahore, bringing together nearly 350 of Pakistan’s top developers along with global and regional industry leaders. Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s gathering, the largest of its kind, focused on empowering developers to leverage AI for innovation, growth, and sustainability in Pakistan’s burgeoning app industry. According to Access Partnership’s Economic Impact Report, Pakistan could see a $6.6 billion annual revenue increase by 2030 through digital exports, with the gaming and app industry highlighted as a key growth sector.
Pakistan’s gaming and app industry has shown remarkable growth, with a 32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in global downloads of locally-made apps from 2018 to 2023. Despite a slight dip in overall app downloads in 2023, placing the country 17th globally, the industry remains resilient, as in-app purchase (IAP) revenue surged by 50%.
To further support Pakistani developers, Google announced new programs for 2024:
- Game Design Masterclass: A 6-month program to help top game developers from Pakistan’s leading studios create high-quality games.
- Google Ads Academy: In-person hackathon workshops in Lahore and Islamabad for marketing professionals, focusing on app growth strategies.
- Build with AI and Cloud AI Study Jams: Hands-on AI and Cloud training sessions, building on the success of programs that have already trained over 9,300 developers.
These initiatives complement Google’s existing programs like Google App Academy, which has provided specialized marketing training to over 800 participants. Google’s deepened engagement at events like the Google Developer Conference and APAC’s App Summit further connects Pakistani talent with global peers.
Farhan S. Qureshi, Google’s Director for Pakistan, emphasized the country’s potential for long-term growth in the app and gaming industry, noting the success of studios like Vyro.AI, Hazel Mobile, and Games District. Think Apps 2024 underscores Google’s commitment to empowering local developers with AI-driven tools and resources, aiming to boost profitability, sustainability, and global success for Pakistan’s app industry.
