As the ICT sector increasingly drives Egypt’s GDP, employment, and export revenues, the demand for skilled professionals is growing rapidly. However, without targeted interventions, there is a risk of deepening regional disparities in access to these new opportunities.

The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) and Arish University signed a renewed cooperation agreement in the presence of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat, reaffirming their commitment to equipping youth in North Sinai with essential digital skills. The three-year agreement, announced June 15, aims to equip young people in North Sinai with essential digital skills, reinforcing national efforts to foster inclusive development and economic resilience.

Dr. Amr Talaat stated that the cooperation agreement aims to train North Sinai youth for freelance work in the ICT sector, creating job opportunities in Egypt and abroad without requiring relocation. It also supports entrepreneurship and the creation of IT startups. He reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to assisting the University in its developmental role in North Sinai.

This renewed partnership builds on a 2022 agreement and targets the training of approximately 7,200 students from Arish University and other youth across the governorate. The initiative will focus on high-demand fields such as software development, cybersecurity, freelancing, and entrepreneurship, opening up pathways to employment both locally and globally.

The training program includes summer internships facilitated through the National Telecom Institute, support for graduation projects, English language enhancement, and digital literacy courses. These components are designed to strengthen both technical and soft skills, making graduates more competitive in Egypt's growing digital economy.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the agreement also includes provisions for training and certifying local instructors, thereby building a pipeline of qualified trainers who can continue to deliver digital skills programs in the region.

The renewed partnership between ITIDA and Arish University is particularly significant given that Egypt’s ICT sector has become the fastest-growing segment of the national economy for the sixth consecutive year, recording a growth rate of about 14.4% in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, according to ITIDA's industry outlook.

This rapid expansion has heightened the demand for skilled digital professionals, making inclusive talent development a national priority. By equipping youth in North Sinai with in-demand ICT skills, the initiative not only addresses regional disparities but also ensures that underserved communities are integrated into Egypt’s digital transformation and economic growth trajectory.

Hikmatu Bilali