Why UK’s tech sector should set eyes on Egypt

Speaking at the recent Cairo ICT Summit, which marks the resurgence of Egypt as the hub for the Middle East and Africa’s IT sector and the top country in the Middle East Africa and Europe in Offshoring and Outsourcing, prime minister Ibrahim Mehleb said: “Egypt has stood on its feet. It is moving on with a strong economic reform programme and at the heart of that is IT. 

“The work we are doing to take our country forward – working on new economic systems, changing fuel prices, reforming our social insurance systems, increasing access to government services, improving technology education and access in rural communities – none of this would be possible without a strong IT system.

According to minister Helmy, with the support of overseas partners, he “is confident that IT will be at the heart of the new, modern Egypt.”

With the digital economy being high on the government’s list, now would seem the perfect time for Britain’s flourishing tech companies to take a step into a foreign market.

Vish Sowani, vice president of innovation and strategic partnerships at Visa, said: “Competition drives innovation, and partnerships drive growth. There is no better example of that than here in Egypt, where there is the right mix of talent, opportunity and political will to make technology a growth engine for the economy.”

In the next four years, Egypt’s tech sector is predicted to become a $18bn market opportunity.

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By Shané Schutte

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