IBM to train 100,000 Egyptians in AI skills over 5 years
Five-year MCIT deal targets national strategy implementation
#Egypt #education - Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has formed a partnership with American technology giant IBM to accelerate implementation of the country's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030. IBM's SkillsBuild education programme will help build national AI capabilities by training 100,000 Egyptians in AI skills over the next five years. The agreement was signed in Cairo with Communications Minister Dr Amr Talaat present alongside IBM Middle East Africa General Manager Saad Toma and IBM North East Africa General Manager Marwa Abbas.
SO WHAT? - Targeting talent development, the IBM-MCIT partnership supports one of the six pillars of the 2025-2030 National AI Strategy. The IBM SkillsBuild programme directly addresses a critical skills gap that needs to be overcome for Egypt to achieve its AI ambitions. One or a number of agreements with big tech, by leveraging global expertise and training infrastructure, Egypt aims to develop local AI talent to meet global standards.
Here are some key points about the new agreement.
Egypt's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has signed a five-year partnership agreement with IBM to accelerate implementation of the country's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030, via skills development and responsible technology adoption programmes.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Communications Minister Dr Amr Talaat alongside IBM Middle East Africa General Manager Saad Toma and IBM North East Africa General Manager Marwa Abbas.
IBM will deliver specialised training through SkillsBuild, a free education platform offering foundational and advanced AI learning paths plus introductory quantum computing courses for Egyptian professionals and students.
The collaboration targets Egypt's youth, government officials, and ICT professionals with future-ready skills development, addressing critical gaps in the national AI talent pipeline.
MCIT will support the initiative by providing training venues, curating candidate selection, and integrating IBM into key national digital transformation and technology events across the country.
IBM SkillsBuild provides learners with curated online courses, hands-on projects, and industry-recognised credentials in high-demand fields including AI, data science, and cybersecurity with mentorship opportunities.
The programme includes knowledge sharing on latest AI technology trends, sector-specific applications, and awareness building around Egypt's charter for Responsible AI implementation and governance.
This Egyptian partnership supports IBM's global commitment to train two million learners in artificial intelligence technologies by 2026, representing a core pillar of the company's worldwide skills development strategy.
ZOOM OUT - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's launched the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030 earlier this year, which aims to position Egypt as a leading AI hub in the MENA region whilst boosting the ICT sector's GDP contribution to 7.7% by 2030. The ambitious strategy targets establishing 250+ AI companies and developing a workforce of 30,000 AI professionals through six pillars: governance, infrastructure, technology, data, ecosystem, and talent. Last month Egypt's communications ministry also signed an agreement with US software giant Microsoft to train 100,000 individuals in AI technologies.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about Egypt’s National AI Strategy:
Egypt & Microsoft to train 100,000 in AI (Middle East AI News)
Egyptian president launches 2025-2030 National AI Strategy (Middle East AI News)