2022
10/25

Role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector in Boosting Egypt’s Economy

Created BY: AbdelRahman El-Mwawi



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Growth rate higher than Egypt's overall level of GDP growth, 16.3% in 2020/2021

Since the early 2000s, Egypt has made large strides in developing its information technology (IT) and communications infrastructure. The country has invested heavily in expanding broadband access, building data centers, and training IT professionals. These investments have paid off, boosting Egypt's economy and making it a regional leader in IT.
 
Businesses in Egypt are increasingly using IT to improve efficiency and competitiveness. For example, many companies have adopted cloud-based applications and services to reduce costs and improve collaboration.

GoE is also using IT to improve the delivery of public services. For instance, the government has recently launched Digital Egypt platform, a massive project providing e-services for individuals and businesses. 

Egyptian ICT industry is featured with substantial growth with a rate of about 16.3%, outstripping all other economic sectors throughout 2021/2022 financial year. ICT maintained the vanguard as the highest-growing over other sectors for the fourth year in a row; showing resilient high performance despite the uncertain sliding global economy.

Creating 280K jobs, the Sector has been fueled by the increased number of MNCs setting up in Egypt and the explosive growth of ICT exports reaching $4.9 billion in 2021/2022. Capitalizing on the pivotal location, abundant talent pool (low attrition rates 10-15%), cost-competitiveness and government support, high growth companies are directing their attention to the uprising ICT powerhouse in the region.

Egypt has been working diligently over the past few years to develop its economy and attract foreign investment. A key part of this effort has been the establishment of several programs aimed at promoting the growth of small businesses and startups in the information technology (IT) sector.
 
Among these initiatives is establishing the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center in 2010 with the aim of providing support and resources to early-stage tech companies. TIEC offers a variety of services, including access to office space, mentorship, and funding opportunities. StartIT Incubation Program is one of the Center's primary activities incubating early-stage local startups. It provides access to co-working space, along with some mentoring and training. 

Another important initiative is the Innovation Cluster Initiative, which was created to enable innovation and entrepreneurship through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) across tech parks echoing through the 2nd tier cities in Egypt.

The Sector has benefited from the country's favorable demographics, with a large population of young people and a growing middle class. This has led to an increase in demand for ICT products and services. In addition, Egypt's strategic location makes it a gateway to Africa and the Middle East, which presents significant opportunities for growth.

In conclusion, the role of ICT sector in boosting Egypt's economy is very significant. The sector has the potential to transform the country's economy and create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. ICT can help Egyptian businesses to be more competitive, efficient and innovative. The Egyptian government should continue to invest in the development of the ICT sector and create an environment that is conducive to its growth.