The National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) in Egypt recently organized a listening session focused on the communications and information technology sector. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including professors from the institute, executive leaders from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and representatives from various universities and organizations. This session was part of the preparations for the Egypt 2026 forum, scheduled to take place from October 19-24, 2026.
The listening session aimed to gather insights from academics, experts, and specialists on the future of the communications and information technology sector. Discussions centered on the rapid evolution of technology, the requirements for digital infrastructure, and the skills gap in the sector. The session also explored ways to enhance collaboration between state institutions, the private sector, and educational and research institutions. Key issues addressed included the development of digital infrastructure, data centers, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the training of specialized cadres.
According to Dr. Ahmed Khattab, director of the NTI, the listening session was a response to the call by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for national dialogue on key issues. The session sought to leverage academic and practical expertise to formulate visions that align with the rapid transformations in the communications and information technology sector. Participants engaged in extensive discussions on the gaps and challenges facing digital infrastructure, the data center industry, and cloud computing.
One of the main concerns raised during the session was the need for a national cloud system to host the data of the business community, which could help save time and effort, reduce expenditures, and support the stability of vision when setting future plans for institutions and companies. The participants also discussed the challenges of establishing data centers, particularly in vital sectors such as banking and housing, and explored solutions to overcome these challenges, including protecting information from hacking and finding alternative solutions to provide the necessary energy for this industry.
The session resulted in several recommendations and proposals, including the development of a comprehensive national strategy for building digital capacities, the creation of a unified national platform for specialized training programs, and the promotion of private sector participation in supporting and financing the cadre-building system. The recommendations also included enhancing the development of national solutions for artificial intelligence to protect data and privacy, and the establishment of a sustainable mechanism to connect universities, regulatory bodies, and companies to identify industry challenges and direct graduation projects and applied research towards finding solutions.
The participants emphasized that addressing the gaps and challenges facing the communications and information technology sector requires a comprehensive vision that combines the development of infrastructure, updating regulatory and legislative frameworks, enhancing cybersecurity, developing education and training, and linking scientific research to industry needs. They also stressed the importance of encouraging investment in advanced technologies to support the sector's ability to keep pace with global developments.
The listening session hosted by the NTI is part of the preparatory sessions for the Egypt 2026 forum, reflecting the importance of leveraging academic and practical experiences, as well as the visions of specialists and industry representatives, in discussing national challenges and proposing solutions that can support development paths and digital transformation in the coming phase.
Key points
- The session aimed to gather insights from academics, experts, and specialists on the future of the communications and information technology sector.
- The participants emphasized the need for a national cloud system to host the data of the business community.
- The session resulted in several recommendations, including the development of a comprehensive national strategy for building digital capacities.
