RIYADH: Egypt has launched the second edition of its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2025–2030, showcasing its ambition to become a leading AI hub in the Middle East and Africa.
Building on the original framework introduced in 2021, the updated strategy, revealed by the National Council for Artificial Intelligence, centers on six key pillars: governance, technology, data, infrastructure, ecosystem, and talent. These elements are designed to support Egypt’s “Digital Egypt” initiative, aiming to drive socio-economic growth and facilitate the establishment of over 250 AI-based companies.
The updated strategy aligns with Egypt’s goal to increase AI’s contribution to the national GDP to over $42.7 billion by 2030, representing 7.7 percent of the total GDP.
This announcement comes as AI is expected to contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with the Middle East capturing 2 percent of this, or approximately $320 billion, according to a PwC report. Among the countries in the region, Saudi Arabia is set to benefit the most, with AI projected to contribute more than $135.2 billion, or 12.4 percent of its GDP. The UAE is expected to experience the largest relative impact, with AI accounting for nearly 14 percent of its GDP.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in his opening statement, emphasized the importance of AI in global development, stating that it is at the core of transforming various sectors and unlocking opportunities for sustainable growth. He highlighted that the pace of advancements in AI technology necessitates fully realizing its potential to shape a brighter future for Egypt.
The president also noted that the new strategy builds on the foundation laid by the first AI strategy launched in May 2021, which focused on integrating AI tools into education, enhancing professional development, and fostering international collaborations.
According to the strategy, AI applications are expected to benefit 26 percent of Egypt’s workforce, considered a marginalized population. Additionally, the number of AI professionals in Egypt is forecasted to reach 30,000 by 2030.
The strategy further anticipates that AI technology, including generative AI, will significantly boost academic research, increasing the number of AI-related publications to 6,000 per year and positioning Egypt as a key regional research center.
“We remain determined to achieve excellence in this transformative field,” President El-Sisi declared. “Our aim is to establish Egypt as a leader in AI in the Middle East and Africa and an influential contributor on the global stage. We will continue to prioritize investments in skill development and capacity building to cultivate AI professionals who meet international standards.”
