Mali's Minister of Communication, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, recently visited Egypt from September 24 to 30, 2026, to bolster cooperation in digital and space technology. During his visit, Ag Ilyène met with his Egyptian counterpart to discuss potential collaborations in communications and digital transformation. The two ministers identified key areas of focus, including digitalization of public services, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications.
The digitalization of public services, artificial intelligence, and training were highlighted as primary areas for cooperation. Mali aims to leverage Egypt's expertise to modernize its administration and develop digital skills. The discussions also covered training in fiber optics and artificial intelligence, as well as sharing expertise in telecommunications, particularly 5G technology.
The visit included a meeting at the Egyptian Space Agency, where Ag Ilyène and his delegation learned about Egypt's space program and its applications. The agency's director, Dr. Maged Ismaël, presented the program's evolution and the agency's creation in 2018. The talks emphasized the role of space technologies in security, socio-economic development, and scientific research.
The Malian delegation also explored the Egyptian Space Agency's training academy and technological laboratory. The discussions focused on practical applications of space technologies in areas such as security, agriculture, environmental management, and disaster response. Egypt expressed willingness to host Malian specialists for training and experience-sharing.
The cooperation between Mali and Egypt aims to develop skills, improve public services, and harness digital and space technologies for the benefit of both countries. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in these areas. Institutional exchanges, study visits, and sharing best practices were identified as essential for advancing cooperation.
The ministers agreed to pursue technical consultations to translate identified priorities into joint projects. Potential cooperation areas include formation, competence transfer, research, and development of applications addressing Mali's needs. Egypt's expertise in space technology and telecommunications can support Mali's development goals.
Through this visit, Mali and Egypt have taken a significant step towards enhancing their cooperation in digital and space technology. The collaboration is expected to yield benefits in areas such as public service delivery, economic development, and scientific research. Key projects and agreements are likely to follow as both countries continue to work together.
Key points
- Strengthening cooperation in digitalization of public services and space technology
- Enhancing skills and expertise in telecommunications and artificial intelligence
- Fostering institutional exchanges and sharing best practices
