From volunteering to skill exchange, Swaplyst empowers youth to shape their future through real-world experience and meaningful contribution.
Lisbon, Portugal – November 12, 2025 – At this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon, Jordanian social entrepreneur and ecosystem builder Kamel Al Asmar announced the global launch of Swaplyst, a mobile app that reimagines the idea he first brought to life 16 years ago through Nakhwah, the Arab world’s first volunteer-matching platform, which was discontinued in 2018.
Now based in Abu Dhabi and operating as a tech startup in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, Al Asmar is bringing the same spirit of community and mutual support to a global audience. Swaplyst builds on the legacy of Nakhwah, adapting its purpose to how people connect, learn, and give today. The platform uses AI and natural language processing to power a streamlined matching experience that draws from the simplicity of social apps but is designed entirely around purpose, learning, and shared value.
Swaplyst is a mobile app that connects people with peers and organizations through volunteering, internships, and skill exchange opportunities. It is a space where time, skills, and experience can be exchanged with others who are just as eager to grow and contribute.
Users can volunteer for causes they care about, gain experience by interning with startups, or connect with someone who can teach them something new while offering value in return. Swaplyst is a place to trade what you know for what you want to learn. It creates a community where learning feels natural and giving feels rewarding.
“This is a continuation of the same values I believed in when I launched Nakhwah,” said Al Asmar. “Back then, before mobile apps were a thing, we were trying to make volunteering more visible and accessible to youth across the region. Today, people still want to give back, but they also want to grow through it. Swaplyst makes that possible by expanding the idea of giving to include skills, experience, time, and shared growth.”
While Nakhwah focused on formal volunteer opportunities in the Arab world, Swaplyst expands the vision to include peer-to-peer and organization-based connections globally. The platform reflects the shift toward more flexible, informal, and interest-driven models of contribution.
Nakhwah was recognized by several global platforms, including Ashoka, Forbes Global, the King Abdullah II Award for Youth Innovation and Achievement, and Takreem. Its impact was felt across the region as it inspired a new wave of youth to engage in social good. Swaplyst carries that legacy forward with a broader scope and a renewed commitment to building ecosystems of generosity and learning.
Swaplyst is now live in beta on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and accepting users worldwide. It is designed for individuals who want to offer what they know, gain what they need, and take part in building a more collaborative and purpose-driven future.
