Latest news with #InformationTechnologyIndustryDevelopmentAgency
CairoScene
7 days ago
- CairoScene
Digitopia Offers LE 10 Million in Prizes for Young Egyptian Innovators
Egypt's new national innovation competition invites youth to submit projects in AI, gaming and digital arts for cash prizes and training opportunities. Aug 03, 2025 Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched Digitopia, a new national competition aimed at fostering digital innovation among young Egyptians. The 2025 edition began on August 1st and will run until mid-October, with registration open until August 12th. The contest is open to Egyptians aged 10 to 35, covering a range of sectors including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, digital games and digital arts. Organised in partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency, the Information Technology Institute, the National Telecommunication Institute and the Egypt University of Informatics, the initiative offers cash and in-kind prizes worth a total of LE 10 million. The grand prize winner will receive LE 1 million. The programme is structured to provide more than financial rewards. Finalists will be given access to training and mentorship from local and international technology companies, alongside opportunities to develop their projects into market-ready solutions. The competition will progress through idea submission, prototype development, judging rounds, and a final event scheduled for mid-October. Those interested in participating can register online before the August 12th deadline. Winners will be announced during an official ceremony later in October.
Daily News Egypt
03-08-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
‘Digitopia' competition aims to foster digital innovation among Egyptian youth with EGP 10m prizes
Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched an annual competition called 'Digitopia' to discover and support creative ideas and projects in the information technology sector, with prizes totalling EGP 10m. The competition aims to encourage innovators from primary school students up to the age of 35 to develop technological solutions to societal challenges. The first edition of the contest will run from Aug. 1 to mid-October, with registration open until Aug. 12. The competition will cover several fields, including software solutions and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and gaming and digital arts. It will be organised by the ministry's Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the Information Technology Institute (ITI), the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), and Egypt University of Informatics (EUI). Communications Minister Amr Talaat said the initiative is part of the ministry's efforts to support digital creativity and spread a culture of innovation among students and graduates. He said it provides a platform for innovators to develop their ideas into feasible technological solutions that contribute to building a 'digital Egypt.' 'Digital creativity represents one of the main pillars of building a knowledge-based economy,' Talaat said, affirming the ministry's commitment to fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship. 'The competition targets various age groups as part of a comprehensive vision aimed at discovering innovators at an early stage… to prepare a generation capable of creativity and innovation.' The competition offers a grand prize of EGP 1m and multiple other cash and in-kind prizes with a total value of EGP 10m, in addition to specialised training opportunities with local and international technology companies. Participants are divided into four main categories: primary school students (grades 4-6), preparatory and secondary school students (grades 7-12), university students, and graduates up to the age of 35. The competition will be implemented in several successive stages, starting with registration and introductory sessions, followed by idea submission, development of ideas into technological solutions, judging, and finally the announcement of the winners. The judging panel will consist of experts and specialists in the field of digital technology and innovation.
Daily News Egypt
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
US firm VXI to create 4,000 jobs in Egypt in $135m expansion
American outsourcing firm VXI plans to create 4,000 new jobs in Egypt as part of a $135m expansion that aims to increase its local workforce to 5,000 specialists by the end of 2028, the company has announced. The expansion plans were detailed during a visit by Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, to VXI's Cairo headquarters. He was accompanied by company executives including Global Chief Operating Officer Ryan Collins and Global Chief People Officer Erika King. Talaat said the visit was part of the ministry's focus on supporting international outsourcing companies operating in Egypt. He stated that encouraging investment in the sector was a key pillar of the government's strategy to boost digital exports and solidify the country's status as a global hub for these services. 'We are encouraging investment in the outsourcing sector as one of the main pillars for strengthening Egypt's position as a preferred destination for international companies in this field,' Talaat said. He noted that Egypt is seeing continuous expansion in the number of outsourcing centres due to efforts in digital skills development and providing incentives. 'We are continuing to cooperate with companies in the outsourcing field to expand the base of human cadres trained in the matrix of skills these companies require.' VXI's global COO, Ryan Collins, said the company's growth in the country highlighted its strategic advantages. 'Our expansion in Egypt reflects the huge potential of the region, not just for the competitive cost of operations in Egypt, but as a centre teeming with multilingual talent and a strategic location that provides access to European, Middle Eastern, and African markets,' Collins said. 'The rapid growth we have achieved confirms the excellence and quality of Egyptian talent and its ability to provide distinguished and scalable customer experience solutions from Cairo.' The expansion was welcomed by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). Its CEO, Ahmed El-Zaher, said the move demonstrated growing international confidence in the Egyptian economy and the strength of its outsourcing sector. He added that investments like those from VXI support the state's goals of increasing digital service exports and raising the digital economy's contribution to the gross domestic product by creating thousands of specialised jobs and transferring global operational expertise to the local market. During his tour of the facility, Talaat spoke with several young employees about their professional experiences and the skills they had acquired. He affirmed the state's commitment to enabling young people with digital skills for careers in the outsourcing sector, which he described as one of the most promising fields for professional growth. VXI was established in Egypt in December 2023 and became fully operational in March 2024. From its Cairo office, it provides services in six languages to clients in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. Ahmed Bahgat, VXI's Vice President of Operations for Egypt, Africa, and the Middle East, said: 'VXI Egypt appreciates the Egyptian government's support and its interest in the outsourcing industry, which has contributed to placing Egypt among the top three most attractive countries for foreign investment in this field.' VXI is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1998, it employs over 43,000 specialists in more than 43 locations across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Tahya Masr
13-05-2025
- Business
- Tahya Masr
Next Monday – ITIDA's SECC Organizes 3rd Edition of Software Testing Day
The Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC), an affiliate of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), is set to host the third edition of Software Testing Day on May 19, 2025, at the Digital Egypt Innovation Hub (Creativa) in Giza. Held under the theme 'Software Testing Evolution: Innovating with AI and DevOps", the event will spotlight the latest global trends in software quality assurance. The agenda includes keynote speeches and panel discussions featuring leading industry experts, as well as live demonstrations of cutting-edge software testing tools and solutions. The event also offers a valuable networking platform for professionals, practitioners, and technology providers in the software testing and quality assurance domains. Registration is now open via the official website: -
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt accelerates AI adoption with new strategy and ecosystem engagement
Cairo, Egypt: Egypt is fast-tracking AI ecosystem growth by strengthening ties between startups, investors, enterprises, and policymakers, with a focus on talent, AI-driven industries, and investment. During "Shaping Egypt's AI Horizon", an event organized by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) in collaboration with 500 Global, policymakers, industry leaders, and investors discussed Egypt's AI roadmap, startup funding, and AI adoption across key sectors. Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, reaffirmed the government's commitment to AI and its role in driving digital transformation. He highlighted Egypt's National AI Strategy (2025-2030), built on six key pillars: Computing infrastructure to support AI model training. Data governance ensuring AI accessibility and responsible use. AI-powered systems for real-world applications. AI talent and capacity-building to meet market needs. Regulatory frameworks for AI ethics and policies. Ecosystem growth connecting startups, enterprises, and investors. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to regular engagement with stakeholders across the ICT sector to address their needs. He highlighted AI's expanding role across industries and the forum's aim to foster dialogue among Egypt's AI ecosystem. "We are committed to enhancing Egypt's AI ecosystem by fostering collaboration, expanding our talent pool, and ensuring a regulatory framework that enables innovation," Dr. Talaat stated. Bridging the Gap Between AI Talent and Market Needs Egypt is scaling AI talent development to fuel AI innovation and enterprise adoption. Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, highlighted the agency's specialized and novel training programs in AI coding, MLOps, and Responsible AI governance, led by ITIDA's Software Engineering Competence Center (SECC). "At ITIDA, we are committed to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem by connecting stakeholders, equipping talent with cutting-edge skills, and supporting startups to scale their innovations," said El-Zaher, CEO of ITIDA. "By bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, we aim to bridge the gap between AI innovation and real-world applications, positioning Egypt as a competitive AI hub."; he added. AI Startup Investment and Market Expansion Dr. Hoda Baraka, Advisor to the Minister for AI, emphasized the government's efforts in building AI capabilities and integrating AI solutions into key sectors. 'Since 2019, Egypt has been committed to developing its AI ecosystem through capacity building and policy development. Our updated AI strategy (2025-2030) focuses on expanding AI applications, upskilling, and ensuring that AI solutions address national challenges across industries such as healthcare, finance, and agriculture,' she stated. The event featured insights from 500 Global, which has invested in over 65 Egyptian startups and continues to identify AI-driven business opportunities. Amal Enan, Managing Partner at 500 Global, underscored the firm's commitment to scaling AI startups in Egypt. "Egypt's AI ecosystem is growing rapidly, and we see tremendous potential in startups integrating AI into their solutions. By fostering collaboration between investors, startups, and government stakeholders, we can unlock new opportunities and scale AI-driven businesses," Enan said. She also noted that 157 startups are currently participating in 500 Global's accelerator programs, many of which focus on AI-driven innovations. The event featured a session on AI-powered innovations, moderated by Dr. Haitham Hamza of ITIDA's SECC. Panelists from Baheya Foundation, e& Egypt, and CIB shared insights on AI's role in enhancing services, cybersecurity, and healthcare. Another session, "Betting on AI," led by Amal Enan of 500 Global, gathered investors from Synapse Analytics, Intella, Tektonik Ventures, and Algebra Ventures to discuss AI investment trends and scaling challenges. Additionally, the Applied Innovation Center of MCIT is developing AI-powered solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, and legal sectors, demonstrating the real-world impact of AI research and development. With plans to train 30,000 AI specialists, support 250 AI-driven companies, and expand AI awareness across society, Egypt is positioning itself as a leading AI innovation hub in the region. With its well-established position as a leading global delivery hub for high-end digital and technology services, Egypt continues to attract major investments in AI and innovation. The country's deep talent pool, cost competitiveness, and strong government support make it an ideal destination for enterprises looking to scale AI-driven solutions and digital services.
