• Egypt launched digital skills programme targeting 10,000 students
• Training covers AI, cybersecurity, software, data science, and cloud computing
• Initiative supports outsourcing growth and digital economy ambitions

Egypt's Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) announced on Thursday the launch of its largest-ever digital skills summer programme, aimed at training 10,000 university students in the most in-demand technology fields as global demand for digital talent continues to grow.

Implemented in partnership with the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI), the programme is open to students from both technical and non-technical disciplines. Training tracks include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, data science, cloud computing, digital marketing, electronics and digital design. Alongside classroom instruction, participants will complete practical projects and professional development modules designed to improve their employability.

The initiative forms part of Egypt's broader strategy to strengthen its position as a regional hub for digital services and outsourcing. The country is attracting a growing number of international technology companies, shared services centres and business process outsourcing firms, supported by a large pool of graduates from a population of more than 110 million and its location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The programme comes as Egypt seeks to expand the digital skills of its workforce. Authorities plan to train around 800,000 people in information and communications technology (ICT) in 2026 through a range of public initiatives. The country also produces nearly 750,000 university graduates each year, many of them in science, technology and engineering disciplines, making it one of the largest talent pools in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

That investment in skills supports the ambitions of Egypt's digital economy. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is targeting outsourcing service exports of $6 billion in 2026, up from about $5.2 billion in 2025. As global markets continue to face shortages of qualified professionals in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering, Egypt is seeking to translate its demographic advantage into economic gains and strengthen its appeal to multinational companies looking for digital talent.

Samira Njoya