• Egypt launched Wa3i.net, a digital awareness platform under the national Digital Citizenship and Online Protection initiative.
• Authorities aim to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among nearly 98 million internet users, representing about 72.2% of the population.
• Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that 27.4% of Egyptian internet users faced online threats in 2024, while phishing and social engineering attacks rose 44% across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region.

Egypt has chosen to strengthen public awareness of digital safety practices in order to reduce user vulnerability to cyber risks.

The Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced on Friday, March 6, the launch of a national initiative called “Digital Citizenship and Online Protection.” The program places the Wa3i.net platform at its core.

Authorities designed the platform to raise awareness of digital best practices and reduce citizens’ exposure to cyber threats.

The Wa3i.net platform operates as a knowledge hub dedicated to digital security. The platform provides Arabic-language educational content, practical guides and training resources. The platform targets several audiences, including children, teenagers, parents and teachers. Authorities aim to promote best practices in personal data protection, safe internet browsing and responsible technology use. The program follows the principle that awareness represents the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

Authorities believe that stronger digital literacy will reduce citizens’ vulnerability to threats such as phishing attacks, cyberbullying, online fraud and the spread of misinformation. Consequently, the government intends to build a stronger cybersecurity culture across society.

The initiative comes as internet usage expands rapidly in Egypt. Data from DataReportal shows that Egypt had nearly 98 million internet users, representing an internet penetration rate of 72.2% of the population.

However, the growth of digital services, social media platforms and online payment systems has also increased exposure to cybercrime. These risks affect individuals, businesses and public institutions alike.

Industry data confirms the scale of the challenge. Cybersecurity company Kaspersky reported that 27.4% of internet users in Egypt encountered online threats in 2024, including malicious websites or malware distributed through the web.

The company also reported that phishing and social engineering attacks increased by 44% across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal methods.

The Egyptian government plans to address these challenges through a collaborative approach. The program includes partnerships with public institutions, international organizations and private sector companies.

Authorities expect these partnerships to facilitate knowledge sharing, promote best practices and strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities.

Samira Njoya