Technology

Egypt’s artificial intelligence ambitions took center stage at the historic Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace in Cairo, where an exclusive launch event marked the official countdown to Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Egypt 2026.

Organised by GITEX GLOBAL and hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the invite-only event gathered senior government officials, global technology executives, AI innovators, media, and startup ecosystem leaders. The gathering underscored Egypt’s ambition to unlock $42.7 billion in annual AI value by 2030, while positioning Cairo as a regional hub for AI collaboration.

The discussions highlighted the role of Ai Everything MEA Egypt in aligning global expertise with Egypt’s National AI Strategy 2025–2030, showcasing the country’s strengths in outsourced digital services, semiconductor development, electronic design manufacturing, public sector transformation, and startup innovation.

Opening the event, Eng. Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA, emphasized that AI is no longer a trend but a transformative driver of economies and societies. He noted that hosting Ai Everything MEA Egypt positions Cairo as a hub for innovation and strengthens Egypt’s role as a trusted partner in the AI era.

Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, CEO of KAOUN International, and global organiser of GITEX and Ai Everything, added that the summit’s mission is to empower stakeholders across both public and private sectors, while nurturing youth, talent, and startups to co-create Egypt’s AI future.

H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, highlighted that Egypt’s selection as host reflects international recognition of the nation’s rapid progress in AI. He pointed to Egypt’s leap of 46 places in the global AI Readiness Index since 2019 and outlined the six pillars of the newly launched National AI Strategy, including digital skills development, robust data governance, AI-powered systems for sectoral growth, and legislative frameworks to strengthen the ecosystem.

The evening concluded with a high-profile panel titled Egypt’s AI Future, featuring executives from IBM, HPE, Deloitte Innovation Hub, WideBot AI, Intella, and Plug & Play Tech Centre. Panelists discussed opportunities for scaling AI startups, advancing public-private partnerships, and ensuring sustainable growth in Egypt’s AI sector.

Industry leaders also spotlighted innovations, from IBM’s watsonx capabilities to HPE’s energy-efficient AI systems and Deloitte’s expansive AI platforms. Local startups WideBot AI and Intella emphasized the global competitiveness of Egyptian AI ventures, noting increased funding and rapid growth.

Looking ahead, Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will be staged at the NCIEC in Cairo from February 11–12, convening AI enterprises, startups, investors, and policymakers from over 60 countries. The event will showcase frontier AI applications across semiconductors, cybersecurity, fintech, healthcare, and more, alongside one of the region’s largest startup and investor gatherings.

The global AI tech week is set to accelerate Egypt’s AI ambitions, cementing Cairo’s role as a key driver of innovation and collaboration across the Middle East and Africa.

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