He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Electrical Engineering having graduated with Honors from the Military Technical College in 1973.

Helmy also undertook several public roles in the ICT sector, including chairman of the Egyptian Chamber of Communications & Information Technology (CIT).

[1] Helmy served as Egypt's Minister of Communications & Information Technology from January 2013 to March 2015, first as one of the independent members of the Qandil cabinet,[2] and then subsequently served in the cabinets of Hazem El Biblawy[3] and Ibrahim Mahlab[4][5] As ICT Minister, Helmy chaired the Boards of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI).

[6] He was again appointed minister of communications and information technology on 16 July 2013 to the interim cabinet led by Hazem Al Beblawi.

Additionally, he has focused his post-ministry to development activities in Egypt, Africa, and the Arab world, through the following roles: Helmy is married and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren.