The telecommunications segment has benefited from effective competition and progressive government policies aimed at comprehensive digital transformation.
This expansion is driven by rising government investments, increasing internet and mobile penetration, a burgeoning tech startup ecosystem, and ongoing technological advancements.
The government's commitment to digital transformation and infrastructure development positions Egypt's ICT sector as a pivotal contributor to the nation's economic growth and modernization efforts.
[10] In 1980, the Arab Republic of Egypt National Telecommunications Organization (ARENTO) was formed as an autonomous public utility under the Ministry of Transport.
19 of 1998, ARENTO was renamed Telecom Egypt and restructured as a joint stock company, with the Egyptian government retaining full ownership.
In 2004, the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) was established under Law 15 to support Egypt’s digital transformation.
Over the years, it played a critical role in advancing e-business services, facilitating digital security measures, and supporting Egypt’s ICT-driven economic development.
[16] Egypt's ICT sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, consistently outpacing the nation's overall economic expansion.
Total investments in the ICT sector reached approximately $4.2 billion in 2022/2023, reflecting a 20% increase from the previous fiscal year.
A key component of this initiative is the Digital Egypt e-platform, which offers citizens access to a wide range of government services online, including traffic management, real estate registration, and social housing applications.
The platform's goal is to streamline service delivery, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and promote transparency within governmental operations.
[18] Complementing the Digital Egypt initiative are various e-government programs designed to modernize public administration and improve service accessibility.
Additionally, efforts have been made to train civil servants in digital competencies, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of e-government services.
Dream TV 1 and 2 produce cultural programming, broadcast contemporary video clips and films featuring Arab and international actors, as well as soap operas; another private station focuses on business and general news.
Orascom, one of the shareholders in the leading cellular operator MobiNil, is also the biggest player in the Internet service provision market and owns 75 per cent of one of Egypt's largest ISP, LINKdotNET.