Kuala Lumpur — October 21, 2025: Egypt has emerged as the standout performer at the Afro-Asia Forum for Innovation and Technology (AAFFIAT), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 17–19, 2025, taking home an impressive 68 awards, including 19 first-place prizes across disciplines such as software development, cybersecurity, robotics, and entrepreneurship.
In recognition of its exceptional performance and growing digital leadership, Egypt was selected to host the 2026 edition of the forum in Aswan, following a competitive bid with Turkey. The decision underscores Egypt’s rising influence as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and youth empowerment.
The forum, organized by the University of Malaya, featured 419 participants from 12 countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Libya, Thailand, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Egypt. The Egyptian delegation — 169 participants aged 6–22, representing 12 governorates — reflected the country’s nationwide effort to cultivate digital skills and foster young innovators through its national education and technology programs.
National Vision for Digital Empowerment
Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, hailed the achievement as a testament to the government’s long-term vision to empower youth through technology.
“This victory reflects Egypt’s leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced technology at both regional and global levels,” he said, adding that Aswan’s selection as next year’s host city highlights Egypt’s reputation as a center of technological excellence.
He credited the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) and Telecom Egypt (WE) for their vital role in supporting young innovators, calling their partnership a model of public-private collaboration driving creativity and digital transformation across all provinces.
Preparing Egypt’s Innovators for Global Stages
According to Dr. Ahmed Khattab, Director of NTI and Head of the Egyptian Delegation, the success was the result of seven months of national preparation. The NTI organized three qualification phases in artificial intelligence, software engineering, and entrepreneurship, involving over 1,500 students nationwide. The best teams received advanced training to meet international standards of innovation and technical excellence.
Dr. Khattab noted that the NTI’s approach — blending scientific learning, practical training, and creative problem-solving — equips students with the skills required to compete globally. “Investing in young minds is the foundation of a sustainable digital future for Egypt,” he said.
Global Recognition and Opportunities
Beyond the awards, Egyptian teams gained exclusive international opportunities:
- Winners of the Best Entrepreneurial Project Award earned membership in the International Entrepreneurship Club and an invitation to exhibit at GITEX Kazakhstan.
- Five Egyptian teams secured international training programs with O’Hara Group (USA), Commencis (Turkey), and Malaysia Industry Transformation (Malaysia).
- The Small Innovator Award winner joined the AAFFIAT Business Incubator Program, while several students received partial scholarships (30–50%) from leading universities in Europe and the United States.
Looking Ahead: Aswan 2026
As Egypt prepares to host the next Afro-Asia Forum for Innovation and Technology in Aswan in 2026, it aims to expand the event’s global reach and foster greater collaboration between youth, academia, and industry. The forum will serve as a platform for cross-continental innovation, celebrating creativity, sustainability, and technological progress.
The Afro-Asia Forum connects young innovators from Africa and Asia, promoting entrepreneurship, science, and technology cooperation. The 2025 edition featured 17 competitions in fields such as AI, mobile applications, robotics, cybersecurity, healthcare, and digital arts.
Egypt’s triumph at AAFFIAT 2025 reaffirms its commitment to digital transformation and youth empowerment, strengthening its position as a beacon of innovation, talent, and leadership across Africa and Asia.
