Egypt boosts AI startups with new National AI Strategy
National AI Strategy focuses on ecosystem, talent, and regulation
#Egypt #AIstrategy - Egypt is accelerating its AI ecosystem growth by strengthening collaboration between startups, investors, enterprises, and policymakers. During Shaping Egypt’s AI Horizon, an event organised by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) and venture capital firm 500 Global, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to AI as a driver of digital transformation. Amal Enan, Managing Partner at 500 Global, disclosed that 157 startups are currently participating in 500 Global’s accelerator programmes, while the VC has invested in over 65 Egyptian startups to-date. The National AI Strategy aims to support 250 new AI-driven startups by 2030.
SO WHAT? - Egypt’s National AI Strategy (2025-2030) is designed to support a wide range of national ambitions and requirements, but empowering AI startups is a key goal. By combining government-led policy, investment incentives, and talent development, Egypt aims to attract AI startups and enterprises, ensuring that AI-driven solutions address key national challenges in healthcare, finance, agriculture, and cybersecurity. With a deep talent pool and strong global partnerships, Egypt has the potential to emerge as a global hub for AI startups.
Here are some key points from Tuesday’s event:
Egypt’s National AI Strategy (2025-2030) focus on the startup ecosystem was highlighted at Shaping Egypt’s AI Horizon, an event organised on Tuesday by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) and venture capital firm 500 Global, The event brought together policymakers, startups, and investors to discuss AI adoption and funding opportunities.
Announced in January, National AI Strategy (2025-2030) has six core pillars: computing infrastructure, data governance, AI-powered applications, talent development, regulation, and ecosystem growth.
157 startups are currently taking part in 500 Global’s accelerator programmes, including many AI-focused ventures. The venture capital firm has invested in 65+ Egyptian startups so far.
A panel discussion on AI investment trends at Tuesday’s event featured leading investors from Synapse Analytics, Intella, Tektonik Ventures, and Algebra Ventures, highlighting challenges and opportunities in AI startup funding.
The Applied Innovation Centre of Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is developing AI-powered solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, and legal sectors, demonstrating real-world AI applications.
Egypt plans to train 30,000 AI specialists and support 250 AI-driven companies, expanding AI literacy and adoption across industries.
ZOOM OUT - President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi launched Egypt’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 in January. The new strategy aims to position Egypt as a leading AI hub in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa), and builds on the first strategy that was launched in 2021. The strategy focuses on six pillars: governance, infrastructure, technology, data, ecosystem, and talent. Core to the 2025-2030 strategy are inclusive AI to support the Digital Egypt strategy and the development of a national foundational model as a basis to develop and implement sovereign AI solutions. Goals for the strategy include facilitating the launch of 250+ AI companies and creating a workforce of 30,000 AI professionals by 2030.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
LINKS
Read more about Egypt’s National AI Strategy
Egypt launches 2025-2030 National AI Strategy (Middle East AI News)