Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, emphasized the alignment of Egypt’s digital strategy with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, declaring that telecommunications and internet access are fundamental rights in the digital era. Egypt is undertaking extensive digital infrastructure projects, including the extension of fiber optic cables across 4,500 villages as part of the “Decent Life” initiative and the enhancement of telecommunications services with more mobile towers. These initiatives are part of the country’s effort to promote digital inclusivity through public-private partnerships.
Speaking at the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Talaat underscored Egypt’s ongoing digital transformation, sharing Egypt’s experience in capacity building and digital innovation with African and Indonesian nations. He highlighted the country’s “Digital Egypt” platform, offering government services via mobile apps, call centers, and post offices to ensure inclusivity. Special programs are being developed to enhance digital accessibility for people with disabilities and expand digital literacy programs nationwide.
Egypt is also empowering youth by developing their digital skills and encouraging participation in the freelance and outsourcing markets. The government has implemented several initiatives, such as the “Digital Egypt Builders” program, which offers master’s degrees and specialized training in fields like electronic design.
Talaat also discussed Egypt’s role in fostering innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), citing the establishment of the Applied Innovation Center in 2019 and the launch of the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI in 2023. The National AI Strategy is being updated to align with new developments in AI regulation.
On the sidelines of the forum, Talaat met with Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in communications and information technology. Egypt expressed its readiness to share expertise in digital transformation with Indonesia and invited Indonesian companies to invest in Egypt’s outsourcing sector. Both nations aim to enhance collaboration in digital transformation and economic growth through technological innovation.
