Mali's Minister of Communication, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, is on a working visit to Cairo, Egypt, from September 24 to 30, 2026. According to the Malian Ministry of Communication, the visit aims to strengthen cooperation between Mali and Egypt in communications and digital transformation. During his visit, Ag Ilyène met with his Egyptian counterpart to discuss ways to enhance collaboration in various areas, including digitalization of public services, artificial intelligence, and human resource development.
The meeting between Ag Ilyène and his Egyptian counterpart identified several priority areas for cooperation, with a focus on digitalization of public services, artificial intelligence, and human resource development. The Malian delegation, which included the Malian Ambassador to Egypt, Samba Alhamdou Baby, sought to benefit from Egypt's experience in modernizing its administration and developing digital skills. The two countries discussed training programs in fiber optics and artificial intelligence, as well as sharing expertise in telecommunications, including 5G technology.
The audiovisual sector is another area where Mali and Egypt plan to enhance cooperation. The two countries discussed training programs for personnel in editing, exploitation, and maintenance of digital equipment. The ministers emphasized the importance of institutional exchanges, study visits, and sharing best practices in these areas. They agreed to continue technical consultations to translate identified priorities into joint projects.
The visit by Ag Ilyène is expected to lead to the signing of cooperation agreements and conventions between Mali and Egypt. The two countries reaffirm their commitment to strengthening cooperation in developing skills, improving public services, and harnessing digital technology for the benefit of their populations. The Malian government hopes to leverage Egypt's expertise to drive its own digital transformation agenda.
During his visit, Ag Ilyène highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation in driving development in Africa. He emphasized that the cooperation between Mali and Egypt would contribute to the growth of digital economies in both countries. The Egyptian government has expressed its willingness to share its expertise and experience with Mali in various areas of digital development.
The cooperation between Mali and Egypt in communications and digital transformation is seen as a strategic move to drive economic growth and development in both countries. The two countries have a long history of cooperation, and this visit is expected to further strengthen their bilateral relations. The Malian government is optimistic that the visit will lead to tangible outcomes that will benefit its citizens.
The visit by Ag Ilyène to Egypt is a significant step towards enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the digital sector. The two countries have identified key areas of cooperation, and it is expected that the agreements reached during the visit will be implemented in the coming months. This cooperation is expected to have a positive impact on the economic and social development of both Mali and Egypt.
Key points
- Mali and Egypt have agreed to strengthen cooperation in communications and digital transformation.
- The two countries will focus on digitalization of public services, artificial intelligence, and human resource development.
- The cooperation is expected to drive economic growth and development in both countries.
