Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Egypt’s Minister of Communications, Amr Talaat, met with World Bank Vice President Sangboo Kim to discuss enhancing digital transformation. The meeting highlighted expanding digital infrastructure, improving digital skills, and increasing awareness. Key initiatives include fiber optics, submarine cables, and nationwide internet services to ensure broader digital inclusion and governance.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications, Amr Talaat, met with World Bank Vice President Sangboo Kim to discuss advancing digital transformation. They focused on enhancing digital infrastructure, skills, and awareness, including expanding fiber optics and digital services in rural areas. Future collaboration will include AI, data governance, and internet access expansion.
Egypt has invested EGP 10bn to upgrade the digital infrastructure of public universities, including the launch of Egypt’s first generative AI pilot at Ain Shams University. This initiative aims to enhance student skills and foster digital transformation in higher education, aligning with Egypt’s broader strategy for Vision 2030.
Apple Pay has officially launched in Egypt, enabling users to make secure, contactless payments using Apple devices. The initial rollout includes partnerships with major banks like the National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, and CIB. This marks a significant step toward Egypt’s digital payment transformation and financial inclusion.
Egypt has achieved a 181% increase in financial inclusion between December 2016 and June 2024, expanding financial access to 48.1 million citizens. MSMEs have also seen substantial growth, with microfinance funding rising 1,350%. Efforts include expanding financial technology and supporting women’s empowerment and public service improvements.
Egypt’s four telecom operators have signed new agreements to enhance service quality, with updated penalties for operators who fail to meet standards. These fines will be reinvested into infrastructure improvements, particularly in remote areas, to improve mobile services nationwide. The initiative aligns with efforts to boost Egypt’s global telecom ranking.
Egypt’s four telecommunication companies have agreed to new quality penalty mechanisms that hold operators accountable for meeting service standards. Financial penalties will be reinvested into network improvements, particularly in underserved areas, to enhance nationwide mobile service quality and boost Egypt’s standing in international telecom rankings.
Edfa Venture Capital has launched “Startup Sync,” a platform connecting Egyptian startups with investors, providing financial backing, expert advice, and strategic partnerships. The initiative aims to foster growth and innovation, expanding into the Gulf market with support for startups entering Saudi Arabia and enhancing the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Aswan bootcamp series is an initiative aiming to position Aswan as a rising tech hub in Upper Egypt, leveraging the city’s cultural and historical backdrop to create a platform for global engagement.
Egypt’s mobile phone companies have invested $2 billion over three years to expand frequency spectrums, contributing to the country’s ICT sector, which has grown at over 16% annually. Egypt ranks first in Africa for fixed internet speed and has advanced significantly in AI and digital transformation readiness.