Mali's Minister of Communication, Economy, and Modernization of Administration, Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, has been on a working visit to Cairo since September 24, 2026. He is accompanied by Mali's ambassador to Egypt, Samba Alhamdou Baby, and a technical delegation. The visit aims to leverage Egyptian expertise to accelerate Mali's digital transformation. This trip is part of Mali's efforts to modernize its administration and improve services to its citizens.
A key meeting took place on September 27 between Ag Ilyène and Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Raafat Hendy. They identified priority areas for cooperation, including digitalizing public services, developing artificial intelligence, and deploying fiber optics and telecommunications networks, including 5G. The two ministers also discussed training human resources to support these initiatives. Egypt's experience in connecting public administrations and creating digital platforms was of particular interest to the Malian delegation.
The Egyptian side presented the results of its "Hayat Karima" initiative, which has extended fiber optics to hundreds of villages and aims to connect around 60 million citizens. This initiative has shown promising results in promoting digital inclusion and access to services. The Malian delegation was impressed by Egypt's achievements and saw potential for similar projects in Mali. The two countries are keen to translate these intentions into concrete projects.
The audiovisual sector is another area of collaboration being explored, with a focus on training Malian personnel in equipment maintenance and operation. The two ministers emphasized the importance of exchanges between specialized institutions, study visits, and sharing best practices to drive progress. These efforts aim to strengthen the partnership between Mali and Egypt in the digital sector.
On September 28, Ag Ilyène and his team visited the Egyptian Space Agency, where they learned about Egypt's capabilities in designing, developing, and testing satellites. This exposure opens up potential avenues for cooperation in this strategic area. The visit reflects Mali's desire to diversify its technological partnerships and draw on successful African experiences.
This visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Bamako and Cairo. It demonstrates Mali's commitment to modernizing its administration and improving services to its citizens through digital transformation. The two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to building a pragmatic partnership focused on developing skills and harnessing technology for the benefit of their populations.
The collaboration between Mali and Egypt is expected to yield tangible results in the coming months. The two countries will work together to implement joint projects and initiatives in the areas of digital transformation and technology. This partnership is seen as a key factor in Mali's efforts to accelerate its development and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
Key points
- Mali's Minister of Communication visits Egypt to accelerate digital modernization
- Egypt and Mali identify priority areas for cooperation in digital transformation
- The two countries aim to build a pragmatic partnership focused on developing skills and harnessing technology
