Arab Finance: Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and US-based technology giant NVIDIA have explored cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), computing, skills development, research and development (R&D), and support for startups and entrepreneurs, as per a statement.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindy met with Paolo Guglielmini, NVIDIA’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), to discuss the proposed cooperation, which could be formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

The talks covered the development of Egypt’s local computing and AI capabilities to meet the needs of developers, researchers, and institutions. The two sides also examined opportunities to provide specialized technical and training content through programs focused on AI, deep learning, and train-the-trainer initiatives.

Hindy reviewed the information and communications technology (ICT) sector’s role in supporting economic growth and outlined Egypt’s approach to deploying AI technologies across government operations, workforce development, and public-interest applications. He also highlighted efforts to develop Egyptian talent and equip professionals with advanced technical skills.

Egypt has worked to establish a national AI ecosystem since 2019, including creating the National Council for Artificial Intelligence, launching the National AI Strategy, establishing the Applied Innovation Center, and publishing the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI.

Hindy cited Egypt’s performance in Oxford Insights’ 2025 Government AI Readiness Index, in which the country ranked first in Africa and third in the Arab world. He also pointed to Egypt’s partnerships with US and international technology companies and said the country aims to attract more developers and producers of advanced technologies.

He added that Egypt’s international agreements and access to African markets offer global technology companies opportunities to operate locally and expand across the continent from an Egyptian base.

For his part, Guglielmini said Egypt possesses the talent and ambition to become an influential force in AI innovation. NVIDIA can accelerate the realization of this ambition through its integrated ecosystem of accelerated computing, software, and AI tools, alongside training programs that empower developers to transform their ideas into practical applications. 

Officials also discussed MCIT’s work to strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation through Digital Egypt Innovation Hubs across the country. The hubs provide training, support technology skills development, and assist innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups.

Furthermore, the talks addressed the pillars and targets of the second edition of Egypt’s National AI Strategy for 2025 to 2030, implementation progress, and opportunities to support the strategy by developing skills, fostering innovation, and expanding the adoption of AI applications.