While a few African countries have already launched 5G, Egypt is now preparing to deploy this technology. The support of international donors reflects the strategic stakes of this transition toward faster and more reliable connectivity.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Wednesday, May 28, a syndicated loan of $85 million to telecom operator Orange Egypt, in partnership with Banque Misr.

The financing aims to support Orange Egypt's acquisition of a 5G mobile license from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and to fund the nationwide deployment of next-generation telecom infrastructure.

The loan is structured with a $44.5 million contribution from the EBRD and $40 million mobilized by Banque Misr’s Dubai branch.

"We are proud to partner with Banque Misr and the EBRD in a move that underscores international confidence in Egypt’s economy and supports our vision for advancing the telecommunications sector" said Mohamed Sayed, Chief Financial Officer of Orange Egypt. "Through technologies such as 5G, we aim to enhance services in education, healthcare and smart cities, bridging the digital divide and driving Egypt’s digital economy forward."

This project aligns with the "Digital Egypt 2030" strategy, spearheaded by the Egyptian government. In January 2024, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority awarded 5G licenses to several operators, including Orange Egypt, Vodafone Egypt, and e& Egypt, for a total of $675 million. These licenses also cover the renewal of previous generation authorizations for a 15-year period, without the addition of new frequency bands.

With the backing of the EBRD and Banque Misr, Orange Egypt plans to accelerate its 5G rollout and modernize its network. The technology is expected to significantly enhance users' digital experience through higher speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections. It also paves the way for innovative services in key sectors, fostering an inclusive digital transition and contributing to a reduction of over 1.74 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, in line with Egypt’s climate commitments.

The initiative comes amid robust demand for high-speed connectivity in Egypt. According to the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the country had 83.07 million internet users in July 2024, an 8.46% annual increase from 76.59 million a year earlier. Fixed internet subscribers reached 11.23 million, within an estimated total population of 112.71 million.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji