Egypt is continuing to strengthen its role as a global leader in digital business services and technology innovation. At the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s Investment Conference on April 29, Ahmed El-Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “A Hub for Digital Innovation: Untapped Opportunities.”
El-Zaher highlighted Egypt’s expanding role in the global offshoring landscape, emphasizing the country’s strategic geographical location, multilingual talent pool, and ongoing public investments in digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystems. He noted that Egypt provides an exceptional platform for technology companies and investors seeking regional and global expansion.
With more than 760,000 university graduates annually, including 50,000 in ICT and 28% in STEM fields, along with an 80% foreign-language proficiency rate among the workforce, Egypt stands out in the global services market. The country offers significant cost savings—up to 68%—compared to traditional outsourcing destinations, covering sectors like contact centers, business process services, IT, and engineering R&D.
El-Zaher also emphasized ITIDA’s strategic priorities, which include attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), accelerating digital skills development, and advancing Egypt’s IT offshoring ecosystem. Currently, Egypt hosts over 205 global service delivery centers, solidifying its position as a premier offshoring destination.
The conference also featured discussions on Egypt’s digital talent pipeline. El-Zaher spotlighted key government programs aimed at equipping youth with market-ready digital skills. Through collaboration with institutions like the Information Technology Institute (ITI) and the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), the government plans to train 500,000 individuals in 2024–2025 through its “Train-to-Hire” model, ensuring that talent is job-ready.
The panel featured influential speakers such as Ahmed Yehia, CEO of Fintech and Digital Lifestyle at e& Egypt; Amal Enan, Managing Partner at 500 Global; Todd Wilcox, Co-Chair of AmCham’s Banking Committee and CEO of HSBC; and Mohamed Refaie Ahmed, Global Enterprise Networking Services Practice Leader at IBM Egypt. The discussion was moderated by Hossam Seifeldin, Co-Chair of AmCham’s Digital Transformation Committee and CEO of Capgemini Egypt.
Held under the theme “Towards Resilient Growth: Egypt’s Future as an Investment Hub,” the conference brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global investors to explore Egypt’s growing competitiveness as a destination for foreign capital and innovation-driven investments.
