Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Rafeat Hendy, inaugurated the eighth edition of the FDC Summit, which took place from September 22 to 24, 2026. The event was attended by prominent figures from the government, industry leaders, and experts in the field of communications and information technology. The minister emphasized that the ministry's vision is to build a digital economy that contributes to the country's development, creates jobs, and enhances the state's administrative efficiency.
The minister highlighted the ministry's efforts to support innovation and entrepreneurship, citing the establishment of 24 Egypt Digital Innovation centers in 20 governorates. These centers provide comprehensive programs for skills development, incubation of projects, and connecting companies with investors and market access opportunities. He also mentioned that Egypt has been working on a national framework for artificial intelligence since 2019, with the aim of supporting over 250 startups and training more than 30,000 specialists by 2030.
The minister stressed the importance of data centers as a vital component of the digital economy, providing capabilities for hosting data, operating digital services, and supporting artificial intelligence applications. He noted that Egypt's geographical location and digital infrastructure make it an attractive location for data centers, with 20 international submarine cables passing through the country, carrying 90% of internet traffic between Europe and Asia.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is working on developing a national strategy for data centers, which is expected to be launched by the end of 2026. The strategy aims to create a comprehensive framework for the development of this industry, enhancing the country's digital capabilities and supporting the growth of the digital economy.
The minister also emphasized the significance of cybersecurity as a national security imperative and a prerequisite for trust in the digital economy. He stated that the state, through the Supreme Council for Cybersecurity, is implementing the second edition of the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2023-2027 and preparing for the third edition to address emerging threats and challenges.
The FDC Summit brought together a diverse range of participants, including government representatives, industry leaders, and experts in the fields of technology, communications, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The event provided a platform for discussion and collaboration on the development of Egypt's digital economy and the growth of the technology sector.
By launching the national strategy for data centers, Egypt aims to capitalize on its strengths in the digital sector, enhance its digital infrastructure, and become a hub for data centers and cloud services in the region. The strategy is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy, creating new opportunities for growth, innovation, and job creation.
Key points
- Egypt plans to launch a comprehensive national strategy for data centers by the end of 2026.
