Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, met with Sangboo Kim, Vice President of the World Bank for Digital Transformation, and his delegation to explore ways to deepen collaboration on digital transformation. The meeting, which took place from December 17 to 19, focused on boosting Egypt’s digital infrastructure, improving digital skills, and promoting digital awareness throughout the country.
Talaat outlined Egypt’s progress in implementing the Digital Egypt Strategy, which seeks to leverage technology to enhance various sectors, digitize government services, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the strategy’s role in equipping youth with future job skills and making digital platforms more accessible for citizens. Talaat also discussed the ongoing development of a legal framework for the communications sector, including laws addressing artificial intelligence (AI), data exchange, and classification.
The Minister also highlighted initiatives aimed at improving the country’s digital infrastructure, such as the extension of fiber optic cables and a project to replace outdated copper cables with fiber optics to improve connectivity and speed. Talaat pointed to projects in Hayah Kareema villages to enhance digital services, including high-speed internet access, upgraded postal services, and the installation of mobile towers to improve communication quality. Additionally, Egypt is rolling out a nationwide program to raise digital awareness and promote a digital culture.
Talaat expressed gratitude for the continued collaboration with the World Bank, particularly in developing Egypt’s digital infrastructure and advancing the nation’s digital transformation efforts.
In response, Vice President Kim commended Egypt’s approach to becoming a fully integrated digital society. He emphasized that Egypt’s digital strategy aligns with the World Bank’s objectives to reduce the digital divide, focusing on areas such as data governance, cybersecurity, and AI. He also stressed the importance of sharing Egypt’s successful experiences with other countries and expressed hope for further collaboration, particularly in expanding digital services in Hayah Kareema villages.
Sylvia Solf, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Digital Transformation in the Middle East and North Africa, outlined the institution’s priorities, which include supporting digitization, green transformation, and data center development. She highlighted the World Bank’s role in accelerating digital services and promoting inclusion, particularly in underserved areas.
The meeting also explored future areas of cooperation, including the expansion of submarine cables, the development of data centers, and efforts to extend internet services throughout Egypt. These initiatives aim to achieve greater digital inclusion and provide citizens with broader access to digital government services.
Both parties recognized the positive outcomes of their ongoing collaboration, particularly in areas such as public data governance and real estate wealth management, which have contributed significantly to Egypt’s evolving digital landscape.
