Egypt's communications minister outlines sector strategy prioritizing AI and local manufacturing
Egypt's Communications Minister outlined strategic priorities for the sector's development, emphasizing artificial intelligence, local manufacturing, 5G expansion, and digital sovereignty. The minister highlighted that the communications and technology sector achieved 19.3% growth during the 2025-2026 fiscal year and stressed AI's critical role in economic transformation and job creation across digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and data centers. The strategy aligns with Egypt's broader vision of building a knowledge-based digital economy with enhanced cybersecurity and data protection.
Egypt's communications sector has emerged as one of the nation's fastest-growing industries, with the government prioritizing infrastructure development and technological sovereignty. Recent achievements include launching a spectrum strategy through 2030, expanding 5G networks to support smart cities and IoT applications, and developing a national data center strategy. Digital exports have surged significantly since 2018, reflecting growing competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Local manufacturing has accelerated substantially, with mobile phone production jumping from 3.3 million units in 2024 to over 10 million in 2025 following major brand investments. The government is simultaneously expanding production of accessories, fiber optic cables, and semiconductor components. The Digital Egypt platform now offers approximately 250 services, with expansion targets reaching 400 by 2030, supported by newly implemented digital identity systems.
These initiatives could shape employment opportunities across technical and digital sectors while potentially strengthening Egypt's regional technology position. Increased local manufacturing may reduce import dependency and create manufacturing jobs, though success depends on sustained investment and skill development. The emphasis on AI and data infrastructure could enable innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and governance, though widespread adoption may face infrastructure and training challenges in less urbanized areas. Enhanced digital services may improve citizen access to government functions, particularly benefiting businesses and urban populations.