As part of supporting digital transformation and entrepreneurship across Egypt's governorates, Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), emphasized that Digital Egypt Innovation Centers are crucial for turning technological ideas into scalable startups. These centers provide a stimulating environment for innovation and support entrepreneurs throughout Egypt.
Beni Suef: A Model for Innovation Support
El Zaher explained that the Digital Egypt Innovation Center in Beni Suef Governorate serves as a practical example of how to support the IT industry in Upper Egypt. It empowers young people and startups to develop innovative solutions that can compete in both local and regional markets. He highlighted a comprehensive support system that includes incubators, business accelerators, and digital skill development programs.
Broad Partnerships to Build Digital Capabilities
He added that these efforts rely on partnerships with universities, the private sector, and civil society organizations. This approach strengthens the link between applied education and labor market needs, helping to build a strong base of digital talent that supports the communications and information technology sector.
ITIDA also reviewed its performance indicators for the period from April 2024 to March 2026. These indicators showed that the agency incubated and supported 8 startups, with 5 of them successfully graduating. These graduated companies attracted investments exceeding EGP 7 million and achieved annual revenues of over EGP 25 million.
The efforts also included training 752 individuals in entrepreneurship, 1880 in technical skills, and qualifying 1324 freelance professionals, in addition to conducting over 100 consulting sessions to support entrepreneurs.
Practical Models Supporting Digital Transformation Across Sectors
During the meeting, examples of startups in various fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and network management were showcased. This highlights a clear focus on digital solutions that boost business efficiency.
These initiatives are part of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's strategy to expand the reach of Digital Innovation Centers, support entrepreneurship, and build youth capabilities. Ultimately, this contributes to growing the digital economy and creating new job opportunities in Upper Egypt.
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