By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Egypt's Minister of
Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Raafat Hindi, has held
discussions with the Digital Transformation Committee of the American Chamber
of Commerce in Cairo on strengthening cooperation to attract investment and
accelerate the country's digital transformation agenda.
The meeting focused on
priorities for the next phase of development in the information and
communications technology (ICT) sector, including expanding digital
infrastructure, accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, increasing
data centre and cloud computing investments, developing digital talent and
creating a more attractive regulatory environment for investors.
Hindi said the ministry's
strategy is built on five pillars: digital transformation, technology
localisation and job creation, digital infrastructure, digital capacity
building, and legislation and governance.
He noted that Egypt
continues to expand digital government services through the Egypt Digital
Platform, which currently offers 242 services. The government aims to increase
this number to more than 270 services by the end of 2026 and approximately 450
services by 2030. The ministry is also expanding the use of digital identity
and electronic signatures while continuing the automation of government
institutions to improve efficiency and support investment.
On technology localisation,
Hindi said Egypt's outsourcing and digital services exports reached
approximately US$5.2 billion in 2025, with a target of increasing exports to
US$8 billion by 2028.
He added that the country's
mobile phone manufacturing industry has experienced significant growth, with
production increasing from three million devices in 2024 to 10 million by the
end of 2025. Production is expected to exceed 15 million devices this year and
reach a capacity of 30 million units by 2028, while increasing local content to
about 45 percent.
Hindi said artificial
intelligence remains a strategic priority following the launch of the second
edition of Egypt's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in early 2025. He
noted that the Applied Innovation Center has developed the large language model
"Karnak" and is supporting AI applications in healthcare, agriculture
and education.
The minister also
highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, including the
allocation of new spectrum to mobile network operators, the continued rollout
of 5G services and the expansion of fibre-optic networks. More than 1,250
villages have been connected through fibre infrastructure under the
presidential "Decent Life" initiative.
He said the ministry is
working with relevant stakeholders to develop a national data centre strategy
aimed at strengthening digital sovereignty and attracting greater investment in
digital infrastructure, while cybersecurity remains a key priority as the
country expands its use of AI and data-driven technologies.
Hindi also outlined the
ministry's efforts to develop digital skills through initiatives including
Egypt's Digital Generations programme, the Information Technology Institute
(ITI), the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI), WE School of Applied Technology
and Egypt University of Informatics. Future programmes will place greater
emphasis on advanced training and specialised digital skills aligned with
labour market demands.
According to the minister,
Egypt's ICT sector recorded a growth rate of 20.3 percent during the third
quarter of the last fiscal year, the highest among all sectors of the economy.
The sector currently contributes around six percent of the country's gross
domestic product, with a target of increasing its contribution to eight percent
by 2030.
Members of the American
Chamber of Commerce in Cairo reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening
cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and
the private sector to support digital transformation while safeguarding Egypt's
digital sovereignty.
The business leaders also
commended the ministry's progress in accelerating digital transformation,
enhancing digital competitiveness, developing digital skills and expanding
investments in data centres, while highlighting the importance of promoting freelance
work as part of the country's digital economy strategy.
