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Amr Talaat

عمرو طلعت
Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt
Assumed office
14 June 2018
PresidentAbdel Fattah el-Sisi
Prime MinisterMostafa Madbouly
Preceded byYasser ElKady
Personal details
Born

Amr Ahmed Samih Talaat


9 March 1961 (age 63)
Egypt
Alma materCairo University
Illinois Institute of Technology
ESLSCA University
University of Paris
Websitemcit.gov.eg

Amr Ahmed Samih Talaat (Arabic: عمرو طلعت) (born March 9, 1961) is an Egyptian engineer, academic, and government official serving as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt since June 14, 2018. Before his appointment as minister, he had a long career in the private sector, including a tenure at IBM Egypt where he served as Country General Manager. Talaat holds degrees in engineering and business administration and has also been active in academia as an adjunct professor at Cairo University. In his role as minister, he has been instrumental in advancing Egypt's digital infrastructure and implementing the country’s digital transformation strategy.

Early Life and Education

Amr Talaat was born on March 9, 1961 in Egypt. He pursued his early education in engineering, graduating from Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University. Talaat furthered his studies in the United States, earning a Master of Science in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology. He also completed an Master of Business Administration from Paris ESLSCA Business School and a Doctor of Business Administration from University of Paris, Paris School of Business.[1][2]

Academic and Professional Involvement

Talaat is an Adjunct Professor at Cairo University, where he teaches courses on marketing and sales strategies, organizational behavior, and strategic management. He is an honorary member of the ICT Board at Cairo University and a member of the ICT Board of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT). Furthermore, he serves as the Chairman of the ICT Committee at Egypt's American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).[2][3]

IBM Egypt (1988 - 2018)

In August 1988, Talaat joined IBM Egypt,[3] where he held various managerial positions. He became the IBM Country General Manager on May 23, 2010, after serving as a Territory Manager since 2005.[4] In these roles, he oversaw the company’s Systems and Technology Group and its Business Partner Organization.[3]

During his tenure, Talaat focused on achieving corporate financial goals while also moving into strategic and operational areas. These efforts included building human capital, strengthening customer loyalty, promoting corporate social responsibility, and enhancing employees’ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).[3]

Minister of Communications and Information Technology (2018 - Present)

Nomination and confirmation

In 14 June 2018, Talaat was appointed as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt after taking the constitutional oath before President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as part of the formation of Mostafa Madbouly's First Cabinet at the Al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo.[5] On July 3, 2024, he was sworn in again as part of Madbouly's Second Cabinet.[6]

Tenure

As minister, he has been instrumental in implementing Egypt’s Digital Transformation Initiative, which is part of the broader Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt Vision 2030. His initiatives focus on developing and securing the country’s IT and telecom infrastructure, improving government services, and fostering a generation of professionals skilled in advanced digital technologies.

During his tenure, Egypt hosted ITU World Radiocommunication Conference 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh,[7] the New Administrative Capital was designated as the Arab Digital Capital for 2021.[8] Under his leadership, Egypt chaired the 51st Ordinary Session of the Executive Bureau of the Arab Telecommunications and Information Council of Ministers (ATICM), organized by the League of Arab States.[9] Additionally, Egypt chaired the 26th Session of the ATICM, during which the Arab ICT Strategy was adopted.[10]

The achievements also included Egypt’s prominence from category “C” in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index in 2018, to Category “B” in 2020, then Category “A” in 2022.[11]

Digital Egypt strategy and Launch of Digital Egypt Portal

Talaat has been a key figure in the country's digital transformation initiatives. Under his leadership, Egypt has embarked on the development of a New Administrative Capital, located 50 miles east of Cairo. This project aims to centralize the government and transition towards a paperless, collaborative digital government.[12]

One of the major components of this transformation is the digitalization of government services. Initially launched as a pilot project in Port Said, this initiative has expanded nationwide, offering a one-stop-shop platform for citizens to access government services. The digitalization efforts are designed to improve interdepartmental communication, including the integration of Egypt's law enforcement system to facilitate seamless collaboration between police officers, public prosecution officers, and the courts.[12]

About 113 services are available in Port Said, such as food subsidy, notarization, court filing, and licensing services for drivers and vehicles, along with agricultural and investment services. Thirty-four of these services have been rolled out across the country, and 150,000 citizens have registered for digital identities to access them. These initiatives highlight Talaat's commitment to enhancing government efficiency and accessibility through digital innovation.[12]

Egypt has made significant strides in digital transformation. Key initiatives include the Digital Egypt Platform, which provides more than 130 electronic services, such as food ration management and vehicle inquiries. These efforts are part of Egypt's Vision 2030, aimed at achieving comprehensive digital transformation.

Progress has been made in developing Egypt's digital infrastructure, with over 18,000 government buildings connected to a fiber-optic network and the establishment of innovation centers nationwide. The government is also working on automating health services and implementing e-signature services to facilitate processes for Egyptians abroad.

The New Administrative Capital (NAC) is a major project that seeks to enhance digital governance with modern data centers and secured networks. Additionally, the construction of new digital infrastructure, including cable landing stations and a large data center in Cairo, enhances Egypt's position as a data hub in global communications.

The personal Data Protection Law

Talaat has highlighted the Personal Data Protection Law as an important measure for protecting the personal data of citizens and residents. This law is seen as a step toward establishing a secure environment for data exchange in cyberspace and supporting the development of the data center industry in Egypt.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi approved Law No. 151 of 2020, known as the Personal Data Protection Law, after its passage by Parliament. Talaat has stated that the law is expected to attract international investment to Egypt’s data center industry, which is considered a potential contributor to economic growth.[13]

According to Talaat, Egypt's location on the global submarine cable map presents opportunities for Egyptian and international companies to establish data centers in the country. Additionally, the availability of electric power is a key factor for this industry. Egypt has abundant electricity production, and the Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) aims to increase the share of renewable energy to 20% of the electric power mix by 2022 and 42% by 2035.[14]

Egyptian Postal Service Transformation

In 2019, the Egyptian National Postal Authority initiated a modernization plan, including the renovation of the Egyptian Postal Museum in downtown Cairo, overseen by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology under Dr. Amr Talaat. Originally opened in 1940, the museum has been expanded from a single hall to 15 halls, now featuring over 3,000 items that chronicle Egypt's postal history from ancient times to the present.[15]

The renovation, completed in 2023, involved restoring existing artifacts and adding new items from the museum's collection. The museum is located within the Central Post Office at Al-Ataba Square and is managed by the National Postal Authority. This project was part of a broader effort to preserve and showcase Egypt’s postal heritage.[16]

Egypt Post has expanded beyond traditional postal services to offer a wide range of financial, postal, and governmental services. This includes the management of approximately 25 million savings accounts, with a significant portion held by women. Egypt Post has also embraced digital transformation, launching the Yalla App in 2022 to provide a comprehensive suite of financial services, including online payments and money transfers.[17]

The organization supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through both domestic and international shipping services. Egypt Post has also partnered with entities like Qatar Post to reduce the cost of international remittances, and it plays a key role in microfinance and remittance services, aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.[17]

Establishments

National Council for Artificial Intelligence

In November 2019, Amr Talaat, as Minister of Communications and Information Technology, chaired the establishment of the National Council for Artificial Intelligence.[18] This platform aims to facilitate discussions among stakeholders on AI topics, foster AI partnerships, promote innovation, and support research and capacity building. It will also provide information on the implementation of the national AI strategy and related policies and programs.[19] [20]

National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities

Talaat has played a key role in advancing technology for social inclusion, particularly for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). In July 2018, he oversaw the establishment of the National Academy of Information Technology for Persons with Disabilities (NAID), which focuses on training PwDs in Assistive Technologies to support their contribution to Egypt's economic and social development.[21] In January 2020, under Talaat's leadership, the MICT signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japanese Assistive Technology Development Organization (ATDO).[22] This agreement aims to enhance digital inclusion for PwDs and to establish a joint center of excellence in universal design and Assistive Technology at NAID.[23]

Applied Innovation Center

The Applied Innovation Center (AIC) was established under the leadership of Talaat to advance the use of emerging Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in addressing national challenges. It focuses on developing human capital and fostering innovation. The center works on creating and testing solutions for key national issues and often pilots these solutions to assess their scalability.[24][25][26]

AIC aims to enhance skills in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, High Performance Computing (HPC), automation, IoT, and cybersecurity, supporting the growth of Egypt's ICT sector. It also helps build local high-tech enterprises for government and private sector projects. The center has established partnerships with educational institutions and multinational companies and is equipped with a high-performance computer for use by its partners.[25]

Egypt University of Informatics

The Egyptian University of Informatics (EUI) was recently inaugurated as part of a presidential initiative, officially opening at Knowledge City in the New Administrative Capital. Established by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, EUI is recognized as the first university in the MENA region to specialize in information and communications technology. Its status is enhanced by international partnerships with leading universities in the technology and communications sectors. Notably, EUI has established dual degree programs with Purdue University and has an agreement with the University of Minnesota.[27] The first building of EUI began hosting classes in October 2021. The university offers programs through its four faculties: the Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Business Technology, and the Faculty of Digital Arts and Design.[27][28]

Applied Technology Schools

In December 2023, Egypt launched a series of Applied Technology Schools aimed at reshaping technical education in the country. These schools are designed to produce highly qualified technical professionals by aligning educational programs with the demands of the labor market. They offer students technical and field training using modern equipment and the latest technology. [29]

The Schools have been established in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Suez, Minya, New Valley, Port Said, Sharkia, Qalubiya, Menoufia.[30]

Partnerships and Initiatives

Digital Egypt Initiatives (DEBI - DECI)

In September 2020, the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, under the leadership of Dr. Amr Talaat, launched the Digital Egypt Builders Initiative (DEBI). The initiative was introduced during the opening of educational facilities by President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and is a key component of the "human development" pillar within the broader Digital Egypt strategy.[31]

DEBI, a state-funded program, with facilitated partnerships with international technology companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, VMware, and Amazon Web Services, awards top graduates from Engineering and Computer Science faculties with professional Master’s degrees in fields like data science, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, robotics, and digital arts. Talaat emphasized that these partnerships are crucial for capacity building within the Ministry's strategy and the broader Digital Egypt vision, aiming to bridge the professional skills gap in the ICT sector through technical and practical training.[32]

The initiative is structured to offer specialized training in various ICT fields, alongside courses in leadership, management, English language, innovation and entrepreneurship, and freelancing skills.[31]

In May 2022, Talaat oversees the Digital Egypt Cubs Initiative (DECI),[33] a program aimed at developing the technological skills of 3,000 students annually from grades seven to eleven. Launched with a $25 million budget, the initiative partners with leading tech companies like Cisco, IBM, and Microsoft to provide training in fields such as digital arts, software development, and artificial intelligence. DECI is part of Talaat's broader efforts to align Egypt's education system with future labor market demands, ensuring that young Egyptians are equipped with the necessary skills in emerging technologies.[34][35]

Egypt FWD Initiative with Udacity

Launched as part of the Digital Egypt Strategy, the Egypt FWD initiative is a program overseen by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat. Managed by the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the initiative aims to train 100,000 young Egyptians in digital skills through a partnership with Udacity. The 18-month scholarship program provides participants with access to online learning, hands-on projects, professional mentorship, and peer support, with the goal of enhancing their readiness for remote work and local job markets.[36][37]

Creativa Innovation Hubs and InnovEgypt Strategy

Talaat has overseen the development of Creativa Innovation Hubs as part of Egypt’s broader InnovEgypt Strategy. These hubs, established at universities across the country, aim to support entrepreneurship, foster innovation, and provide training in IT and emerging technologies. The InnovEgypt Strategy is focused on building a digital economy by encouraging start-ups, advancing technological innovation, and enhancing digital skills. Through these initiatives, Egypt is working to strengthen its position in the regional technology and innovation landscape.[38]

In 2019, under the leadership of Talaat, the MCIT undertook the development and restoration of the historic Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace in Heliopolis.[39] This initiative was part of a broader effort to repurpose historical and cultural sites into Innovation Hubs, ensuring that their architectural integrity and heritage value were preserved while contributing to the nation's technological advancement.[40]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b "Biography of Communications and IT Minister | SIS".
  3. ^ a b c d "Amr Talaat | Wilson Center". www.wilsoncenter.org. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
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