Egypt has been ranked 4th in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and 43rd globally on the AI Readiness Index, which measures a country's ability to integrate AI skills with human skills. The index is part of Coursera's Global Skills Trends Report 2026, which evaluates the skills acquired by learners in 98 countries. The report assesses the readiness of each country to adopt AI, taking into account the broader skills landscape.
The report highlights Egypt's efforts to enhance its AI capabilities and align education with changing job market needs. The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2025-2030) aims to qualify 30,000 specialists in AI by 2030. The strategy focuses on governance, technology, infrastructure, and human capital development. Additionally, the "Afaq Al-Mihan Wa Al-Tawzif" platform provides information on over 400 professions in Egypt, helping individuals make informed decisions about education and training.
The report is based on data from over 300 million learners on Coursera and Udemy platforms. It combines insights on AI skills development with data on national AI readiness, sourced from Oxford Insights' Government AI Readiness Index. Egypt has seen a 24% increase in AI course enrollments year-over-year. Top areas of learning include AI basics, machine learning, data analytics, and large language models.
AI-generated and agent-based AI courses have seen significant growth, with enrollments increasing by 83% and 111%, respectively. Cybersecurity AI courses have also seen a 131% increase in enrollments. Egyptian learners are developing essential human skills to evaluate AI outputs and communicate results effectively. Key skills include communication, stakeholder management, innovation, ethics, and adaptability.
While problem-solving and critical thinking courses have seen a 6% and 9% decrease in enrollments, respectively, the report identifies opportunities to promote human skills that support effective AI adoption. The report also highlights the importance of integrating AI skills with human skills, citing examples of learners in Egypt combining data analytics and communication skills.
The job market emphasizes the need for AI skills development, with a report by the World Bank noting a significant increase in job vacancies requiring AI skills in Egypt between 2021 and 2024. Micro-credentials offer individuals a verified and portable way to demonstrate their skills, providing employers with evidence of their knowledge and practical abilities.
According to Kaies Zreri, General Manager of Coursera for the Middle East and Africa, Egypt has an opportunity to leverage growing interest in AI to enhance its competitiveness. This requires continuous investment in human skills that enable individuals to verify AI outputs and make informed decisions. Collaboration between stakeholders, including employers, educational institutions, and governments, is crucial to ensuring that training aligns with evolving job requirements.
Key points
- Egypt ranks 4th in MENA and 43rd globally in AI readiness.
- The country aims to qualify 30,000 AI specialists by 2030.
- AI course enrollments in Egypt have increased by 24% year-over-year.
