Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Raft Hendy, met with his Malian counterpart, Hamdou Ag Ilian, Minister of Communications, Digital Economy, and Administrative Reform, to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of communications and information technology. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to Cairo, Samba Hamdou Babi. The discussions focused on leveraging Egypt's expertise in developing digital infrastructure and enhancing digital capacities.
During the meeting, Eng. Raft Hendy highlighted the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to develop communication infrastructure in villages under the presidential initiative "Hayat Karima" (Decent Life). He mentioned that fiber-optic cables are being laid to provide high-speed internet services to around 60 million citizens. Hendy also pointed out opportunities for cooperation in building digital capacities through training programs offered by the Egyptian-African Training Center for Regulatory Affairs in Communications (EG-ATRC).
Eng. Raft Hendy also discussed the axes of the national strategy for artificial intelligence and the efforts of the Applied Innovation Center in developing technological solutions and applications that contribute to addressing societal challenges and supporting development efforts. Hamdou Ag Ilian expressed Mali's interest in enhancing digital infrastructure to support digital transformation and praised Egypt's expertise in communications and information technology.
The two ministers explored ways to enhance cooperation and exchange experiences in developing digital infrastructure, including fiber-optic networks and mobile phone networks. They also discussed connecting government institutions and regional and international connectivity to support efforts to modernize administration and expand the provision of digital government services in Mali.
The meeting touched on cooperation opportunities in the field of artificial intelligence, particularly its applications in government services, development, and capacity building. The ministers also discussed ways to benefit from Egypt's expertise in these fields in a way that meets Mali's needs. The ministers directed the start of technical meetings to discuss ways to benefit from Egypt's experience in developing digital platforms and providing services to citizens.
The Egyptian and Malian ministers emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of digital transformation and its role in supporting development efforts. They also agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange expertise in the fields of communications and information technology. The meeting was seen as a step towards enhancing cooperation between the two countries and achieving their development goals.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to contribute to the development of digital infrastructure in Mali and enhance the country's digital transformation efforts. The cooperation between Egypt and Mali is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in both countries and support regional development efforts.
Key points
- Egypt and Mali to enhance cooperation in digital infrastructure and capacity building.
- The two countries to exchange expertise in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
- The cooperation aims to support development efforts and improve the lives of citizens in both countries.
