By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Egypt’s Minister of
Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Raafat Hendy, has held a series
of high-level engagements with Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the World Bank to advance cooperation in digital transformation,
artificial intelligence governance and digital capacity development during the
World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026 in Geneva.
Hendy met with Kenya’s
Minister of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo
Gitau, to discuss opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the
information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
The discussions focused on
progress in implementing the Kenya-Egypt Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
which provides a framework for collaboration in areas including digital skills
development, ICT infrastructure, software and hardware capabilities, digital
literacy and artificial intelligence.
The two ministers reviewed
opportunities for knowledge exchange, particularly Egypt’s experience in
digital capacity building, as well as cooperation in strengthening fibre-optic
networks, submarine cable systems and cross-border connectivity.
The partnership also
includes initiatives to expand digital skills training for young people and
communities in remote areas, while supporting capacity building in advanced
artificial intelligence technologies.
During the forum, Hendy also
witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between Egypt’s Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and UNDP aimed at
strengthening national capabilities for responsible AI governance.
The agreement includes
exploring the development of an AI Sandbox tailored to Egypt, providing a
controlled environment for testing and evaluating artificial intelligence
systems before wider deployment.
The proposed sandbox will
support efforts to ensure AI applications comply with responsible AI
principles, regulatory requirements and public interest objectives, while
helping strengthen institutional capacity for AI auditing and evaluation.
The LOI was signed by Hoda
Baraka, Advisor to the ICT Minister for Technology Talent Development, and
Chitose Noguchi, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt, in the presence of UNDP
Chief Digital Officer Robert Opp and other officials.
Speaking after the signing,
Hendy said the partnership reflects a move from discussions on responsible and
inclusive AI towards practical implementation, adding that Egypt remains
focused on building national capabilities to design, operate and evaluate AI
governance frameworks.
Noguchi highlighted the
potential of AI to accelerate sustainable development, while emphasizing the
importance of responsible and inclusive approaches to ensure that digital
transformation benefits society.
Hendy also met with World
Bank Vice President for Digital and AI, Sangbu Kim, to discuss cooperation in
digital transformation, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence
and support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The meeting explored ways to
strengthen innovation, expand digital skills aligned with employment
opportunities and support businesses in participating more actively in the
digital economy.
Hendy highlighted Egypt’s
Digital Egypt strategy, which focuses on improving government services,
creating employment opportunities, supporting businesses and positioning the
digital economy as a key driver of economic growth.
The minister also outlined
Egypt’s ongoing efforts to expand fibre-optic infrastructure, extend
connectivity to rural communities, strengthen digital government services and
promote outsourcing and digital exports.
