The Egyptian government is investing up to EGP 1 million per participant in its presidential Digilians digital-skills initiative. This programme aims to prepare young Egyptians for technology and outsourcing jobs and connect trainees directly with employers. According to Hesham Farouk, adviser for technological development at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the initiative seeks to equip young Egyptians with skills needed in local and international labour markets.
The Digilians initiative offers three main tracks: a one-year professional master’s programme, a nine-month specialized diploma, and a four-month intensive diploma. These programmes cover fields including artificial intelligence, data science, software development, digital arts, and cybersecurity. The professional master’s programme includes partnerships with international universities, such as Queen’s University in Canada and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The training costs range between EGP 500,000 and EGP 1 million per participant, depending on the programme and specialization, with the state covering tuition and accredited professional certification. Study is free, although participants may bear some accommodation costs. The initiative had established partnerships with 31 technology companies and international institutions to provide internationally recognized qualifications and strengthen links between training and employment by May.
The scale of the investment comes amid a highly selective admissions process. Around 40,000 people applied for the initiative’s first cohort, with 1,674 accepted after testing. Applicants undergo several stages of assessment covering technical knowledge, language skills, critical thinking, medical and physical fitness, and overall suitability for the programmes. Farouk stressed that admissions are conducted according to standards of transparency, accuracy, and impartiality.
An employment fair involving more than 50 Egyptian and international companies is being planned for late October or November. This event will allow employers to assess participants and match their skills with available vacancies. The ministry also works with the Egyptian Military Academy to provide technical and interpersonal training, alongside instruction in freelancing, entrepreneurship, and establishing businesses.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directed officials to maintain accuracy, transparency, and impartiality in admissions, saying this was essential to strengthening public confidence in the initiative. El-Sisi’s directive came after a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Communications and Information Technology Minister Raafat Hindi, and Armed Forces Signal Department Director Major General Hany Mahmoud Mansour.
Digilians, launched in 2025, forms part of Egypt’s broader investment in digital-skills training as the government seeks to expand employment in technology and high-value digital services. Egypt’s outsourcing industry employed more than 195,000 professionals by September 2026, up from around 90,000 in 2021. The government initially targeted $9 billion in outsourcing exports by 2026 but later revised that target to $6 billion.
Key points
- Egypt invests up to EGP 1 million per trainee in Digilians digital skills programme.
- The programme aims to connect participants directly with employers through an upcoming employment event.
- The initiative is part of Egypt’s broader investment in digital-skills training to expand employment in technology and high-value digital services.
