Egypt drives $12B tech push with AI, data centers, and infrastructure overhaul

Egypt is propelling its economy with a $12 billion technological push, focusing on artificial intelligence, data centers, and infrastructure reform. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi convened senior officials on Saturday to outline the nation's digital transformation plan. Cairo aims to bolster its position as a regional tech hub by investing in expansive cloud infrastructure, AI capabilities, and stringent child online safety measures.

Among strategic targets, Egypt aspires to generate $8 billion in digital exports by 2028, with outsourcing services anticipated to reach $12 billion by 2029. Moreover, the country plans to expand its electronics design industry to include 120 companies by 2030. To accelerate progress, Sisi instructed officials to expand investment in hyper-scale data centers, cloud computing systems, and nationwide 5G network deployment.

The government is also advancing "Karnak," its national AI initiative aimed at preserving digital sovereignty and developing Arabic generative AI models. In an effort to unify government services, officials are enhancing the Unified Government Services Card, collaborating with the Ministry of Supply to consolidate databases and enhance citizen access to public services.

Child digital protection measures are receiving particular attention, with Minister Raafat Hendi reviewing implementation steps for a decree banning social media accounts for children under 13 and enforcing mandatory "Safe Mode" settings for users aged 13 to 15. Sisi also examined the "Digilians" presidential initiative in coordination with the Egyptian Military Academy, emphasizing strict neutrality, transparency, and accuracy in selecting youth for high-demand tech roles.