The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in partnership with the New Valley Governorate, has launched the region’s first-ever hackathon under the title “New Valley Innovates”, aimed at promoting innovation and digital entrepreneurship among local youth. The initiative is academically supervised by the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and forms part of MCIT’s national strategy to strengthen innovation, build digital skills, and expand technological entrepreneurship across Egypt.
The hackathon targets two age groups: school students aged 9–18 and university students and graduates aged 18–35. Participants will develop technology-driven solutions addressing local challenges, with a focus on smart agriculture, water management, renewable energy, ecological and heritage tourism, and community services. Project ideas may include culturally inspired video games, websites, mobile and web applications, and smart management systems.
Governor of the New Valley, Major General Dr. Mohamed Al-Zamlout, said the initiative empowers youth in remote regions to participate in economic development, improve quality of life, and create job opportunities aligned with the digital economy.
The hackathon will run from March 22 to 26, starting with preparatory workshops, followed by idea formation, team qualification, and a final evaluation stage. Monetary awards will be granted to the top three teams: EGP 200,000 for first place, EGP 150,000 for second, and EGP 100,000 for third, based on innovation, community impact, technical quality, applicability, and teamwork.
Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said the hackathon provides a practical platform to transform creative ideas into real-world technological solutions that meet development needs and support sustainable local growth. He emphasized the role of public-private collaboration in building a resilient digital economy.
Through “New Valley Innovates”, MCIT and the New Valley Governorate aim to cultivate a culture of digital entrepreneurship, identify technological talent early, and broaden youth participation in Egypt’s digital transformation.
