Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Christel Haydemon, CEO of Orange, 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's Middle East and Africa CEO Yaser Shaker, and Orange Egypt CEO Hisham Mehrain. The President praised Orange's success in Egypt, particularly in digital transformation, smart platforms, and digital education.
During the meeting, President El-Sisi emphasized Egypt's desire to increase Orange's investments in the Egyptian market, citing the country's promising growth and expansion opportunities. He also highlighted the state's initiatives to develop the skills of Egyptian youth and enable them to utilize modern technologies. Haydemon expressed her honor in meeting the President and noted that Orange's success in Egypt serves as a model for other countries in the region.
President El-Sisi and Haydemon discussed potential cooperation in the second phase of Egypt's national digital health project, leveraging Orange's expertise in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The President also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Egyptian government and Orange in preparing Egyptian youth for the future job market, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity.
As part of its efforts to support digital education and skills development, Orange announced that it will provide training grants to approximately 200,000 trainees in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity specialties, including international certification. This initiative aligns with President El-Sisi's directives to expand digital capacity-building programs for Egyptian youth.
In addition to its training initiatives, Orange has committed €25 million to support startups operating in fields like artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The company will also support several Egyptian universities with modern technological labs, enabling students to acquire the necessary skills to excel in advanced digital technology fields.
The meeting between President El-Sisi and Haydemon reflects the strong partnership between the Egyptian government and Orange, which has been operating in Egypt for several years. The company's success in the country has been marked by its contributions to digital transformation, education, and community development.
The Egyptian government's efforts to support startups and digital education have been gaining momentum in recent years, with a focus on developing the skills of young people and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. The partnership with Orange is expected to play a significant role in driving these initiatives forward.
Key points
- President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meets with Orange CEO Christel Haydemon to discuss cooperation in telecommunications and information technology.
- Orange announces €25 million to support startups in Egypt and training grants for 200,000 trainees in AI and cybersecurity.
- The partnership aims to drive digital transformation, education, and community development in Egypt.
