On the sidelines of the Egypt-EU Investment Conference in Cairo, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Telecom Egypt, and Nokia. This agreement is set to expand Nokia’s operations in Egypt and enhance its innovation and export services capabilities.
The signing ceremony, attended by Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, marks a significant collaboration aimed at establishing an IP Excellence Center in Egypt. This center will strategically position Egypt as a hub for IT services, initially serving approximately 60 countries in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, with plans to expand to Europe and beyond, significantly boosting Egypt’s ICT services exports.
Led by top Egyptian engineering talent, the IP Excellence Center will focus on automating IP networks, advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI), and software development for Nokia’s SR Linux network operating system. This initiative is a testament to Egypt’s appeal as a destination for global investment in the ICT sector, bolstered by its skilled workforce and proven track record.
Dr. Amr Talaat emphasized that this strategic public-private partnership will enhance innovation, skill development, and research in network automation, solidifying Egypt’s position as a global hub for IT services. He highlighted the collaboration’s alignment with Egypt’s Digital Egypt Offshoring Strategy, aiming to increase digital exports and create job opportunities for Egyptian youth.
Ahmed ELZaher, CEO of ITIDA, underscored the strategic significance of this partnership in advancing Egypt’s digital ecosystem and offshoring exports. He noted that the MoU will empower Egyptian engineers with expertise in cutting-edge technologies, driving Egypt to the forefront of the digital future and boosting offshoring capabilities.
Under the MoU, Nokia plans to hire and train Egyptian engineers, expanding its workforce in Automation Solutions Architecture, DevOps, and Data Science. These engineers will play key roles in the IP Excellence Center, which will leverage local talent to cater to the evolving needs of enterprises in the ME region.
Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks at Nokia, highlighted that the establishment of the IP Excellence Center marks a significant milestone in Nokia’s three-decade-long association with Egypt. He emphasized that this initiative will help advance the country’s digital infrastructure and provide unmatched training opportunities for local engineers in the latest IP technologies.
Mohamed Nasr Eldin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He noted that network automation is the future, and working closely with Nokia will enable Egypt to enhance its profile in the global digital ecosystem. Telecom Egypt will support this initiative by providing a joint Nokia/TE lab for hands-on field training, further bolstering the skillset of local engineers.
In conclusion, the establishment of the IP Excellence Center by ITIDA, Telecom Egypt, and Nokia is poised to play a pivotal role in fostering innovation, skills development, and research in network automation. This center will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, empowering local talent with the expertise needed to deploy and manage advanced network technologies, significantly boosting Egypt’s ICT services exports.
