Egypt ICT Minister engages youth at Creativa Hub in Beni Suef

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Raafat Hendy, has met with young graduates of national digital skills and entrepreneurship programmes during a visit to the Creativa Innovation Hub in New Beni Suef Technology Park.

The meeting, held alongside Beni Suef Governor Abdullah Abdel Aziz, brought together participants from various initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), highlighting progress in building digital capacity and supporting innovation in Upper Egypt.

During the session, Hendy described young people as a central driver of Egypt’s digital future, emphasizing the importance of investing in human capital as a foundation for economic growth. He noted that his broader visit to the governorate included inspections of projects spanning electronics manufacturing, telecommunications infrastructure, postal modernisation, and technology-enabled services for persons with disabilities, positioning the Creativa Hub as a key investment in talent development.

The governor praised the role of the hub in supporting local innovation and employment, citing success stories of young people securing competitive job opportunities and encouraging wider community participation in its programmes.

Officials from MCIT outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening digital inclusion and skills development. Vice Minister Ghada Labib highlighted the Digital Empowerment and Safety Ambassadors initiative, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, which has trained hundreds of community leaders in Beni Suef and extended digital awareness to tens of thousands of families.

The session also reviewed progress under the Decent Life initiative in rural districts, where thousands of beneficiaries have received training to address digital illiteracy and improve access to technology-driven opportunities.

Chief Executive Officer of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Ahmed Elzaher, said the Creativa Hub serves as a model for supporting startups and freelancers through incubation, acceleration programmes, and access to global markets. He noted that several startups supported by the hub have secured funding and generated significant revenues, with solutions spanning e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies.

Performance data presented during the visit indicated that hundreds of participants have been trained in entrepreneurship and technical skills, while a growing number of freelancers have been supported to access international work opportunities.

Further updates were provided on the Digital Egypt Generations initiatives, including programmes targeting school students and young professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, and data analysis. Success stories shared during the session highlighted participants transitioning from training programmes into freelance work and full-time employment with international firms.

Representatives from affiliated institutions, including the Information Technology Institute (ITI) and the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), also outlined their contributions to training and capacity-building, with thousands of beneficiaries reached through various programmes over recent years.

The visit included a tour of Creativa’s facilities, where the minister reviewed specialised labs, training spaces, and startup incubators, and engaged directly with entrepreneurs to understand their projects and challenges.

The engagement formed part of a broader visit to Beni Suef that included inspections of telecommunications and technology infrastructure projects, as well as initiatives aimed at advancing digital transformation and economic development across the governorate.