By: Robert
Kwaku Annor
Egypt’s Ministry of
Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has held discussions with
World Bank Group (WBG) officials on strengthening cooperation in digital
transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital capacity development.
The meeting, led by Minister
of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy, brought together
Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group Paschal
Donohoe and his delegation to explore opportunities for expanding collaboration
in support of Egypt’s digital economy ambitions.
The discussions reviewed
Egypt’s progress in digital transformation, AI adoption and digital skills
development, while highlighting areas for future cooperation on strategic
projects aimed at advancing technology-driven economic growth.
Minister Hendy reaffirmed
MCIT’s commitment to deepening its long-standing partnership with the World
Bank, noting that collaboration with global institutions is critical to
accelerating Egypt’s digital transformation agenda and strengthening the
country’s ability to leverage emerging technologies.
He said the Ministry is
implementing a comprehensive vision focused on expanding digital
infrastructure, developing digital capabilities, promoting innovation,
attracting ICT investments and accelerating the adoption of advanced
technologies across government sectors.
The Minister also
highlighted Egypt’s efforts to advance artificial intelligence through the
launch of the second National AI Strategy, expanding AI applications across
state institutions, enhancing employees’ capacity to use AI tools and promoting
solutions developed by the Applied Innovation Center (AIC).
For his part, Paschal
Donohoe said Egypt has established a strong foundation for digital
transformation and stressed that knowledge, expertise and innovation are
becoming increasingly important drivers of competitiveness in the global
digital economy.
He noted that sharing practical
solutions and experience in areas such as data governance, digital regulation
and institutional capacity building can help countries accelerate investment
and innovation.
Donohoe reaffirmed the World
Bank Group’s commitment to supporting Egypt by adapting global expertise and
solutions to national priorities, with the aim of building a more competitive
digital economy capable of creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities.
The meeting also covered
Egypt’s efforts to strengthen digital public infrastructure, expand high-speed
internet access, upgrade telecommunications services in villages under the
presidential Decent Life initiative, promote public-private partnerships and
develop frameworks for data governance and digital sovereignty.
Discussions further
addressed investment opportunities in data centres, children’s online safety
and efforts to create a stronger regulatory environment for the digital
economy.
The engagement followed a
previous meeting between MCIT and World Bank officials held on the sidelines of
the WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva, where both sides agreed to continue close
cooperation.
As part of the visit, the
World Bank delegation toured Valeo’s Artificial Intelligence Development Center
at Smart Village to gain insights into Egypt’s growing AI innovation ecosystem.
