Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Christel Heydmann, CEO of Orange Group, on September 27, 2026, to discuss cooperation in the telecommunications and information technology sector. The meeting was attended by Egyptian Communications Minister Rafeat Hendy, Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yaser Shaker, and Orange Egypt CEO Hisham Mehrain. The discussions focused on ways to enhance collaboration between the Egyptian government and Orange Group.
President El-Sisi praised Orange Group's success in Egypt, particularly in telecommunications, digital transformation, and smart platforms. He expressed Egypt's desire to increase Orange's investments in the country, citing the promising opportunities for growth and expansion. El-Sisi also highlighted the Egyptian government's efforts to develop the country's youth and enable them to utilize modern technologies.
Heydmann expressed her honor in meeting with President El-Sisi and highlighted the successful partnership between Orange Group and the Egyptian government. She noted that the group's experience in Egypt can be replicated in other countries in the region, particularly in Africa. Heydmann also praised the Egyptian government's efforts to support startups and provide initiatives to develop youth skills and promote innovation.
The meeting also discussed potential cooperation between Orange Group and the Egyptian government in implementing the second phase of the national digital health project. President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of leveraging Orange's expertise in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The project aims to improve healthcare services and enhance the overall quality of life for Egyptian citizens.
President El-Sisi also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Egyptian government and Orange Group in preparing and qualifying Egyptian youth for the future job market. He emphasized the need for specialized training programs in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity. Orange Group has announced plans to provide training scholarships for 200,000 students in these areas.
As part of its efforts to support Egypt's digital transformation, Orange Group has allocated 25 million euros to support startups working in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The group has also committed to supporting several Egyptian universities with modern technological labs, enabling students to acquire the necessary skills to excel in digital technologies.
The meeting between President El-Sisi and Heydmann reflects the strong partnership between the Egyptian government and Orange Group. The two parties have expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various areas, including telecommunications, digital transformation, and digital health. The meeting also highlighted the importance of investing in Egypt's youth and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Key points
- Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Orange Group CEO Christel Heydmann to discuss increasing investments and cooperation in digital health.
- Orange Group has allocated 25 million euros to support startups working in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies in Egypt.
- The Egyptian government and Orange Group are cooperating to provide training scholarships for 200,000 students in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
