MCIT’s Talaat highlights Egypt’s digital strategy with World Bank’s VP of digital transformation

Cairo – December 18, 2024: Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, met with Sangboo Kim, Vice President of the World Bank for Digital Transformation, and his delegation to discuss future collaboration in areas including digital transformation, digital infrastructure development, digital awareness, and digital skills.

Kim’s visit to Egypt from December 17 to 19 aimed to gain insights into Egypt’s progress in digital transformation and data centers. The meeting marked a continuation of efforts to enhance cooperation between Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the World Bank.

During the meeting, Talaat outlined Egypt’s strategies to meet the targets of its digital strategy, emphasizing advancements in digital transformation across sectors through technology. These efforts include digitizing government services, enhancing youth employment opportunities through digital skills, and fostering technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Talaat also noted ongoing initiatives to encourage citizens to embrace digital platforms.

Talaat highlighted Egypt’s digital strategy enablers, which include creating a legislative framework for governing the communications and IT sectors. Currently, the government is developing laws on artificial intelligence and data exchange, alongside projects to expand digital infrastructure. This includes the installation of fiber-optic cables across the country and a project to replace outdated copper cables with more efficient fiber-optic technology.

He also discussed the Ministry’s efforts to improve internet access and services in rural areas through the “Haya Karima” initiative. This program aims to provide high-speed internet, enhance postal services, develop mobile towers, and raise digital awareness. Additionally, the Ministry is focused on increasing digital literacy among youth to support their access to job opportunities.

In his remarks, Kim praised Egypt’s integrated digital transformation strategy, which aligns with the World Bank’s approach to bridging the digital divide. He noted that Egypt’s strategy provides a comprehensive digital ecosystem, including digital services, data governance, capacity building, and support for entrepreneurship. He also acknowledged the World Bank’s work in areas like data protection, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, and expressed interest in expanding collaboration with the Egyptian government, particularly in rural areas covered by the “Haya Karima” project.

Kim stressed the importance of sharing Egypt’s digital transformation experience with other nations and leveraging the country’s expertise to help others advance their own digital goals.

Silvia Solf, Director of Digital Transformation Practices at the World Bank for the Middle East and North Africa, further explained the Bank’s priorities in accelerating digitization, offering technical assistance for digital services, promoting green transformation, and developing data centers.

The discussions also focused on strengthening digital infrastructure, particularly in expanding internet coverage, including in rural areas and villages participating in the national “Haya Karima” initiative. This will enable citizens to access government services more effectively and participate in digital economies by providing job opportunities through online platforms.

The meeting also highlighted significant achievements made through the collaboration between Egypt and the World Bank, including the successful completion of the technical assistance program for public data governance and real estate asset management.

Attendees from Egypt included Raafat Hendy, Deputy Minister for Technological Infrastructure and Digital Transformation; Sherine El-Gendy, Assistant Minister for Strategy and Implementation; Mahmoud Badawi, Minister’s Advisor for Digital Transformation; Ambassador Khaled Taha, Minister’s Advisor for International Relations; and Samah Aziz, Supervisor of the Central Administration for International Relations.

From the World Bank, the meeting was attended by Stefan Gemmert, Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti; Zaki Khouri, Senior Specialist in Digital Development; Afouda Leon Biyao, Program Manager; and Dalia Shihata, Senior Executive Assistant.

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