How Egypt aims to turn AI into a $30 billion growth engine by 2030
Egypt is positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key driver of economic growth, with a target of raising its contribution to 7.7 percent of GDP by 2030, which is roughly equivalent to $30 billion.
The plan, announced by Communications and IT Minister Amr Talaat at the Etisal Association’s annual celebration in Cairo, forms part of the country’s 2025 - 2030 National AI Strategy.
Talaat highlighted strong performance in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. In 2024, exports jumped 80 percent to $4.3 billion, the workforce expanded by 70 percent to over 160,000 specialists, and the number of ICT firms tripled to more than 180 companies in just three years.
“These achievements underscore Egypt’s rising ability to attract both global and regional investment in outsourcing and digital innovation,” Talaat said.
The country intends to rely on a six-pillar AI strategy that aims to establish robust data governance systems, integrate AI into priority sectors such as healthcare and justice, train 30,000 AI specialists by 2030, raise digital literacy so that 25 percent of government workers and 36 percent of citizens can use AI tools effectively.
Egypt is also boosting its tech manufacturing base, now home to 14 mobile phone factories. Production is expected to nearly triple from 3.5 million units in 2024 to 9 million in 2025, with exports of locally made devices beginning later this year. Free trade agreements are expected to give Egyptian products a competitive edge in global markets.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
