Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated the 28th edition of the Cairo International Technology Exhibition and Conference (Cairo ICT 2024) on Sunday, representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. 

 

Held under the theme “The Next Wave,” the event will run from November 17 to 20 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, bringing together government bodies, international and local companies, as well as industry leaders and experts in technology and innovation.  

 

The opening ceremony was also attended by a number of government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Higher Education Ayman Ashour, and Minister of Justice Adnan Fanjary, along with ambassadors, corporate leaders, and representatives from various ministries.  

 

Following the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister toured the exhibition, beginning with the Ministry of Communications’ pavilion. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, outlined Egypt’s digital transformation strategy, which focuses on enhancing digital government services, creating employment opportunities in the digital economy, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

He emphasized that the strategy prioritizes citizens by simplifying digital services, building digital infrastructure, and encouraging creativity through innovation hubs.  

 

Talaat also discussed regulatory measures implemented to support the strategy, including legislative frameworks to govern the sector, protect user rights, and attract investments. Key projects showcased during the tour included the *Digital Egypt* platform, which now serves over eight million registered users, the automation of the Universal Health Insurance System, and remote litigation platforms.  

 

The minister highlighted Egypt's adoption of artificial intelligence in projects such as early detection of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy with diagnostic accuracies exceeding 90%, as well as applications for breast cancer diagnosis.

 

He also stressed the ministry’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, with Egypt ranked among the top three countries in the Middle East and North Africa for entrepreneurship. Over 600 tech-driven startups have emerged, supported by 23 Digital Egypt Innovation Centers across 19 governorates, with plans to establish 32 centers nationwide.  

 

In terms of capacity building, Talaat noted a significant expansion in digital skills training programs, with nearly 400,000 individuals trained to date and a target of 500,000 by the end of this fiscal year. These programs cater to all demographics, including youth, university students, and freelancers, and feature initiatives like *Digital Egypt Builders* and specialized training for people with disabilities.  

 

The minister also highlighted Egypt’s success in the outsourcing industry, employing over 145,000 professionals across 195 centers that deliver services globally. These include software development, embedded systems design, and contact center operations, serving markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Gulf region.  

 

The ICT sector continues to lead Egypt’s economic growth, achieving an annual growth rate of over 16% and contributing 5.8% to GDP, up from 3.2% in 2014. Egypt has also achieved notable milestones, including ranking first in Africa for fixed internet speeds and advancing 49 places in the AI Readiness Index since 2019.  

 

As part of the *Decent Life* presidential initiative, the Ministry of Communications is working to improve digital infrastructure in rural areas, targeting 4,500 villages. This includes installing fiber optic cables, upgrading mobile towers, and promoting digital literacy among nearly 490,000 citizens.  

 

Cairo ICT 2024 features two main halls, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and initiatives. The first hall focuses on government digital transformation efforts, including the National Postal Authority’s initiatives to enhance financial inclusion and modernize its branches.

 

The Central Bank of Egypt is presenting a live demonstration of digital payment solutions, while other government entities are highlighting advancements in education, healthcare, and financial technology.  

 

The second hall houses telecom operators and technology companies, showcasing 5G applications, cloud computing technologies, and Egypt’s progress in developing its data center industry. The event reflects Egypt’s strides in digital transformation, its growing role as a regional technology hub, and its commitment to innovation-driven development.