Egypt's IT sector is emphasizing its support for tech startups in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Ahmed Zaher, CEO of the Egyptian Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), recently spoke at the opening of Techne Summit Alexandria 2026, highlighting the opportunities and challenges presented by AI for startups in Egypt. He noted that while AI offers new opportunities, it also raises the bar for competition.
Zaher emphasized that the availability of AI models for everyone does not necessarily mean equal competition for companies. He stressed that the key question is what will differentiate a company and make its products valuable and sustainable. AI is changing the way software is developed, products are designed, and services are delivered to customers. It also provides small and startup companies with capabilities that previously required significant resources.
According to Zaher, Egypt has vast opportunities for innovation in vital sectors such as healthcare, education, financial technology, agriculture, and government services. He believes that understanding the local market and user needs gives entrepreneurs a chance to develop valuable solutions and convert this knowledge into products that can succeed in regional markets and reach international markets.
The goal, Zaher said, is not only to develop companies that can use AI tools but also to support them in converting these technologies into products, services, and solutions that respond to actual needs and create sustainable value. Egypt's communications and IT sector achieved a growth rate of 19.2%. Zaher stressed the importance of enhancing the contribution of Egyptian companies to this growth by developing more high-value solutions and services.
Zaher outlined four main areas to support startups in benefiting from AI and advanced technology opportunities. These areas include knowledge and skills, R&D resources, real-world testing, and scalability. He noted that building tech startups requires skilled personnel who can choose the right AI tools, evaluate their outputs, and integrate them into efficient and secure products.
ITIDA is working to provide training and development paths and build technical capacities. Zaher also highlighted the increasing importance of providing computing power, cloud services, and technical expertise to startups. He mentioned that programs and partnerships aim to expand the use of these resources by companies, along with the state's efforts to develop digital infrastructure and computing capabilities.
The Egyptian government is launching an AI-focused competition with a ministry, targeting real challenges and encouraging startups and innovative teams to participate and present practical solutions that combine technological capabilities and a deep understanding of user needs. Zaher also discussed the updated "EgyptInnovate" platform, launched in February 2026, as an integrated national platform for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Key points
- The Egyptian IT sector is focusing on four key areas to support tech startups in the AI era.
- Egypt's communications and IT sector achieved a growth rate of 19.2%.
- The goal is to support startups in converting AI technologies into products, services, and solutions that respond to actual needs and create sustainable value.
