Latest news with #DigitalEgypt
Egypt Today
11-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
OECD praises Egyptian reforms in latest report
Cairo – May 11, 2025: A recent OECD report has lauded Egypt's strides in reforming its public sector, highlighting progress made under the revamped Egypt Vision 2030 and the updated Public Administration Reform Plan (PARP). The assessment points to major institutional improvements, particularly in digitizing government services, modernizing the civil service, and advancing gender and youth inclusion in policymaking. Despite these achievements, the OECD emphasized the importance of adopting a unified, government-wide strategy to strengthen coordination and ensure that decisions are guided by robust data and analysis. These frameworks, it noted, offer a strong foundation for long-term institutional transformation, but continued momentum and improved coordination across government are essential. Despite clear progress, the OECD emphasized that further work is needed to ensure these ambitious reforms meet citizens' needs and translate into tangible outcomes. On implementation challenges, the OECD stressed the importance of empowering the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation (MPEDIC) to better coordinate across sectors. It noted, 'With the present transition to a new planning system, it will be necessary to enhance and formalize co-ordination arrangements with relevant sectors to strengthen the alignment of mid-term programs and sectoral strategies with the strategic objectives outlined in Egypt Vision 2030.' The Central Agency for Organization and Administration (CAOA), which leads implementation of the PARP, was recognized for spearheading reforms. The OECD stated, 'Egypt has made progress towards a more modernized and fit-for-purpose public administration through various priority initiatives targeting the effectiveness of public institutions, digitalization, civil service and public services.' Still, the report urged CAOA to 'translate its strategic objectives into action plans, enhance co-ordination mechanisms and bolster capabilities to steer, co-ordinate, implement and monitor reforms across sectors and levels of government.' The report also highlighted Egypt's digitalization efforts through the Digital Egypt strategy, describing them as 'significant strides using digital solutions to improve the efficiency, accessibility and transparency of public services and procedures.' Yet, it cautioned that 'these strategic frameworks should provide details on how objectives within Digital Egypt can be operationalized.' On transparency and citizen engagement, the OECD noted that Egypt's constitution enshrines the right to access information, but progress remains incomplete: 'More efforts are needed to promote transparency, notably by proactively disclosing information in a systematic manner through a more coordinated and institutionalized approach, until a law on the right of access to information is adopted.' The report also encouraged broader public participation, urging Egypt to 'enhance citizen and stakeholder participation by establishing more impactful councils, conferences and advisory boards at the national and local levels; and exploring innovative participatory processes, including digital participation.' In terms of inclusion, the OECD acknowledged advances in gender and youth policies but recommended bolder steps. It advised the government to 'further integrate gender and youth mainstreaming in sectoral policy planning and in the PARP, as well as to promote women's and youth representation in the public sector.' Additionally, the report called for a dual strategy to 'target specific gender gaps while integrating gender equality across all policies.' The OECD concluded by affirming Egypt's potential to lead effective and inclusive governance reform: 'The OECD Public Governance Review of Egypt aims to help the Government translate its ambitious reforms into more effective, coordinated, evidence-based and citizen-driven policy outcomes.'
Egypt Today
16-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt to Invest LE 13 Billion in ICT Sector as Part of 2025/2026 Development Plan
CAIRO - 16 April 2025: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, announced that Egypt will allocate LE 13 billion in public investments to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector under the 2025/2026 development plan. Of this amount, LE 9 billion will be funded through the state budget. The announcement came during her address to the House of Representatives, where she outlined the strategic objectives for the ICT sector as part of the broader Economic and Social Development Plan for FY2025/2026. This marks the first year of Egypt's medium-term strategy for national development, covering the period from 2025/2026 to 2028/2029. Al-Mashat emphasized the ICT sector's crucial role in driving sustainable development. She noted that it supports key decisions related to investment, production, and employment by providing up-to-date knowledge and digital infrastructure. The sector's dynamic nature and strong growth potential have allowed it to sustain an annual growth rate of no less than 15 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Egyptian economy. She also reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing ICT infrastructure through ongoing and future projects. These include the creation of a secure, closed government network, upgrading connectivity across public institutions, and expanding digital transformation efforts nationwide. Highlighted initiatives under this strategy include the rollout of the universal health insurance system, further development of the national 'Digital Egypt' services platform, modernization of the country's data infrastructure and digital content, and full automation of services such as social welfare programs, passport and visa issuance, property tax records, and agricultural land registration. In terms of measurable goals, the 2025/2026 plan aims to increase the share of citizens using digital government services to 31 percent. It also sets a target to establish innovation hubs in 60 percent of Egypt's governorates and to boost the number of mobile network towers to around 40,000. Additionally, over 600,000 people are expected to receive training in ICT-related fields, while Egypt's annual digital exports are forecasted to reach $8.5 billion—of which $6 billion will come from outsourcing services.
Daily News Egypt
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Communications Minister considers new French investments with MEDEF delegation
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat held talks with a high-level delegation from the French Employers' Association (MEDEF International), led by Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus and head of the French business mission, to explore new French investments in Egypt's ICT sector. The meeting took place during French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Egypt and formed part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries—particularly in the fields of communications and information technology. The delegation included senior executives from leading French multinational corporations already operating in Egypt, as well as representatives from companies exploring potential market entry. Discussions focused on key investment opportunities within Egypt's ICT sector, with an emphasis on the country's competitive edge amid rapid digital transformation, infrastructure development, and robust government support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. Talaat emphasized the ministry's readiness to expand cooperation with French firms across various ICT domains, including outsourcing and digital services exports—relying on Egypt's highly skilled talent pool. He noted that over 180 international companies currently operate more than 200 outsourcing centers across the country. The minister outlined Egypt's vision for building a Digital Egypt, structured around three pillars: digital transformation, digital capacity-building, and digital innovation—underpinned by a governance framework and a resilient digital infrastructure. He identified several strategic goals for the sector's expansion: boosting its contribution to GDP, attracting foreign investment, accelerating digital transformation across all sectors, enhancing Egypt's position as a digital connectivity hub, and fostering digital skills and investment-friendly policies. Talaat noted that the ICT sector has been Egypt's fastest-growing sector for six consecutive years, with a growth rate of 16.3%. Its contribution to GDP has doubled, reaching 6%—up from 3.2% in 2018. Egypt also continues to lead the African continent in fixed internet speed and has maintained an 'A' classification in the UN's Digital Government Readiness Index since 2022. He highlighted a dramatic scale-up in digital skills development, with the number of trainees in ICT specializations growing from 4,000 in FY 2018/2019 to a targeted 500,000 this year. Talaat also pointed to the expansion of Digital Egypt Innovation Hubs across governorates to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation nationwide. Talaat stressed Egypt's geographic advantage as a digital gateway between Asia and Europe, noting that more than 90% of global internet traffic passes through the country. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to a regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation in the ICT sector. Ahmed El-Daher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), gave a detailed presentation on Egypt's strengths as a global outsourcing destination. He emphasized the diversity of ICT services offered and the country's potential to serve as a global digital service export hub. Sherine El-Gendy, Assistant Minister for Strategy and Implementation, elaborated on the strategic pillars of Digital Egypt and highlighted current projects to automate government services, equip citizens with digital skills, and promote digital innovation. She also discussed the second phase of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, with a focus on AI deployment in priority sectors and continued skill development. Amr Abbas, Deputy Chairperson of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) for Market Regulation and Governance, discussed the development of forward-looking regulatory frameworks to keep pace with evolving telecom technologies and to encourage investment in the sector. The meeting concluded with an open dialogue between the Egyptian and French sides, where French business leaders shared their experiences and success stories in the Egyptian market. They praised the capabilities of Egyptian youth and expressed strong interest in expanding operations and partnerships in Egypt, citing the country's thriving ICT ecosystem and dynamic investment landscape.
Egypt Independent
27-03-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
PM follows up on real estate export file
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly underlined on Tuesday the importance the government attaches to the real estate export file, saying it is on the top priorities of the cabinet at the time being. He stressed that the government is working on facilitating measures of selling Egyptian real estate units in US dollars to foreigners, saying the government is promoting this important file through Egyptian embassies and consulates abroad. Madbouly gave the remarks during a meeting with Communications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat, Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Minister Badr Abdelatty, Justice Minister Adnan al- Fangari, Housing Minister Sherif al-Sherbini and other representatives of bodies concerned. Housing Minister Sherif al-Sherbini said real estate activities contribute to national economy, stressing that demands on real estate have been on the rise over the past period thanks to the national projects carried out by the government. He stressed that selling real estate to foreigners requires a group of executive measures, highlighting the housing ministry's ongoing efforts to enact an integrated strategy to market Egyptian real estate abroad, a move that requires listing all housing units, classifying them and integrating them into a unified electronic system. In this regard, he suggested setting up a real estate regulatory company to be tasked with providing an integrated data base for all Egyptian properties, establishing a unified property identification number, and developing an electronic platform for real estate transactions and registration. The company will also regulate broker activities, issue professional licenses, oversee the real estate market in Egypt, increase state revenues and safeguard state rights. The communications minister expounded outlines of the real estate export platform to be implemented by the ICT ministry as part of Digital Egypt initiative. The platform, which seeks to increase foreign investors' confidence in Egyptian real estate products, will help secure property rights via a unified ownership register, facilitate registration and ownership transfer procedures, and ensure transparency in registration and ownership transfer operations and costs. He also reviewed global experiments in providing digital real estate services, highlighting proposed digital systems and the role of government bodies in this domain. The justice minister said a committee grouping real estate and legislation experts has been formed to study laws in the countries that managed to achieve significant success in their real estate export file. Abdelatty reiterated readiness to promote the platform through Egyptian embassies and consulates worldwide, targeting not only Egyptians living abroad but also those interested in possessing property in Egypt. He also highlighted several challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate foreigners' ownership of Egyptian real estate.
Egypt Today
27-03-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt hosts 2nd Freelancers Forum, fostering growth, empowerment in freelance industry
Cairo – March 27, 2025: The second "Freelancers" forum, organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, took place at the Digital Egypt Creativity Center in Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace, with Amr Talaat, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and Ahmed Kouchouk, the Minister of Finance, in attendance. The event, themed "Freelance Work: 9-5 is No Longer the Only Option," brought together a diverse group of freelancers active in both local and global online job markets. The forum served as a platform for young freelancers to share their experiences and offer insights on how to enhance the freelance sector. Additionally, it aimed to empower youth and foster growth within the expanding freelance industry. In his speech, Talaat outlined Egypt's Digital Strategy, which focuses on transforming the country into a digitally advanced society, emphasizing the central role of communications and technology. He highlighted that the strategy prioritizes enabling citizens to acquire digital skills, participate in the digital economy, and access digital services. Talaat further explained that all training programs provided by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology are designed to pair technical training with skills for freelance work, giving trainees flexible options for entering the workforce. These options include traditional employment, freelancing, or combining both approaches. He also shared that the strategy to foster freelance work is structured around four key pillars: offering training programs, improving internet services, providing equipped workspaces, and offering incentives and support to freelancers. Through initiatives like the "Mahr Tak" platform and the "Digital Egypt Pioneers" program, the ministry is working to prepare professionals for the freelance job market by equipping them with the most in-demand skills. Talaat noted the substantial investments made to enhance internet services, which have led to a significant increase in the country's average internet speed—from 5.3 Mbps in December 2017 to 84.5 Mbps in February 2025. These improvements have positioned Egypt as a leader in internet speed across Africa. Furthermore, the ministry has established 23 Digital Egypt Creativity Centers across Egypt, with plans to expand to 27 by the end of the year. These centers provide freelancers with access to well-equipped workspaces. In addition to infrastructural support, Talaat revealed that practical support for freelancers is being provided through boot camps and networking events, as well as a collaboration with Banque Misr to offer affordable financing for computer devices. As of now, Egypt boasts between 390,000 to 595,000 freelancers registered on international platforms, a sharp rise from 50,000 in 2020. Talaat also addressed the launch of a digital platform designed to assist freelancers with tax consultations, contract creation, and banking services. Although the platform was delayed, he emphasized that its release coincides with the introduction of simplified tax procedures for freelancers, a move made possible by new tax reforms implemented by the Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Kouchouk elaborated on these tax reforms, detailing a package of incentives designed to encourage small businesses and freelancers. These include tax exemptions, simplified declarations, and a comprehensive system for projects with annual revenues of up to 20 million EGP. He assured freelancers that the government is committed to offering support and that the new tax system is designed to foster trust and collaboration with small-scale investors and entrepreneurs. During the forum, Talaat and Kouchouk participated in an open Q&A session, responding to attendees' questions on various topics related to freelancing. Key topics included efforts to enhance digital skills across Egypt, especially in Upper Egypt, and the government's initiatives to prepare youth from various fields to join the communications and information technology sectors. The event was attended by several key figures, including Ahmed Al-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency, Heba Saleh, Head of the Information Technology Institute, and Ahmed Khattab, Director of the National Telecommunications Institute, among others.
