ICT Minister engages defense attachés on Egypt’s digital strategy and ICT sector developments

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, has met with Armed Forces officers nominated to serve as defense attachés at Egyptian embassies abroad, as part of the Training Program for Egyptian Military Diplomatic Representation Abroad. The meeting was held at the Intelligence and Security Sciences Studies Institute in the presence of the Head of the Military Attachés Agency, Mohamed Salah El-Din Qatat.

During the meeting, Talaat indicated that the ICT sector has become a major arena of global competition amid rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies, alongside the increasing scale of cyberattacks that directly impact national security. He stated that the sector has evolved beyond a service-based role to become a productive and strategic pillar for national development.

The Minister explained that the Digital Egypt strategy, launched in 2018, seeks to maximize the ICT sector’s contribution to economic growth through job creation within a knowledge-based economy, expansion of digital exports, digitization of government services, and the promotion of entrepreneurship and digital innovation. He added that the strategy is supported by robust digital infrastructure and a legislative framework aimed at protecting citizens’ data while enabling innovation.

Talaat highlighted Egypt’s strategic position in global data traffic, noting that the country currently hosts 21 international submarine cables, carrying about 90 percent of data traffic between Asia and Europe, with more than 60 countries benefiting from connectivity through Egypt. He emphasized the state’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities in international submarine cable services and delivering competitive digital infrastructure.

Addressing human capacity development, the Minister outlined Egypt’s approach to specialized technical education through the establishment of WE Applied Technology Schools, with 27 schools now operating nationwide to prepare students for ICT-related careers. He also referred to the Egypt University of Informatics, Africa’s first specialized ICT university, which has formed partnerships with leading international institutions. He noted that the university celebrated its first graduating class this year, recorded a thirteenfold increase in applicants, and is set to complete its second expansion phase next year.

Talaat further reviewed MCIT’s digital capacity-building initiatives, which include training programs targeting diverse professional groups such as media practitioners, judges, and journalists to support the adoption of AI technologies. He stated that the Ministry aims to train 800,000 individuals during the current year, with the target rising to one million trainees by 2030, supported by the establishment of 24 Creativa Innovation Hubs across various governorates.

The Minister also highlighted Egypt’s growing position in the global offshoring industry, noting that the number of offshoring centers has exceeded 270, providing digital services to international markets. He said more than 60,000 jobs have been created in the sector over the past three years, with recent agreements signed with 55 companies expected to generate an additional 75,000 job opportunities.

Talaat disclosed that digital exports reached USD 7.4 billion in 2025, with a target of USD 9 billion in the coming period. He added that Egypt has attracted 15 mobile phone manufacturing brands, producing 10 million devices in 2025 with a local added value of 40 percent, and aims to increase production to 15 million units next year while commencing exports.

Concluding his remarks, the ICT Minister noted that the Digital Egypt platform currently provides 210 services to more than 10 million registered users. He said ongoing efforts include the expansion of fiber-optic networks nationwide, improvements in service quality and indoor mobile coverage, and preparations following the rollout of 5G services, alongside the continued digitization of public services for citizens and Egyptian expatriates.