Egypt's telecom minister cites over 600 billion pounds in digital infrastructure investment over decade
Minister Rafat Hendi said public and private investment in communications infrastructure exceeded EGP 600 billion over the past ten years. About 20,000 government buildings were connected to fiber, 5.5 million fiber lines were installed, and more than 3,000 mobile towers were added annually. Egypt also expanded submarine cables and innovation centers while pursuing digital sovereignty across infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI, and talent.
At the Egypt 2026 forum, Rafat Hendi said combined public and private telecom infrastructure spending topped EGP 600 billion over ten years. He reported roughly 20,000 government buildings linked to fiber, about 5.5 million fiber connections, an annual goal of one million more, and over 3,000 mobile towers added each year.
He also noted six straight years of African leadership in fixed broadband speed and work in “Hayah Karima” villages reaching 60 million people. Ten submarine cable projects were cited, six still being built, plus 24 governorate innovation centers and a five-part digital sovereignty plan covering infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI and data, skills, and technology industries.
The investment could widen access to online public services, education, and commerce for households and small firms, especially in villages covered by the rural initiative. Faster fixed and mobile connections may help government offices and local businesses operate more efficiently. New cables and innovation centers could support digital startups and youth skills, though the benefits may depend on affordability, device access, and reliable service in underserved areas.