Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 launch highlights Egypt as regional hub for artificial intelligence
Ai Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt 2026 officially kicked off with a launch event at Cairo’s historic Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace, following last week’s show announcement. Organized by GITEX GLOBAL and hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the invite-only event brought together senior government officials, global tech executives, AI innovators, media, and startup leaders.
Egypt aims for $42.7 billion AI impact by 2030
The launch highlighted Egypt’s ambition to capture $42.7 billion in annual AI value by 2030, aligning with the National AI Strategy 2025-30. Discussions centered on Egypt’s strengths in outsourced digital services, semiconductors, electronic design manufacturing, public sector transformation, startup innovation, and global investment attraction.
Eng. Ahmed Elzaher, ITIDA CEO, stated: “AI today is no longer a trend; it is a core driver of economic and societal transformation. Hosting Ai Everything MEA Egypt cements our position as a regional hub for innovation.”
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International, added: “The show empowers private and public stakeholders, youth, talent, and startups, co-creating Egypt’s AI future.”
National AI Strategy drives ecosystem growth
H.E. Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized the country’s progress, noting a 46-place leap in the global AI Readiness Index since the first National AI Strategy in 2019. The 2025 strategy builds on six pillars: expanding computing access for startups and SMEs, ensuring robust data governance, developing AI-powered systems, building digital skills, raising public awareness, and establishing a regulatory framework.
The evening featured a panel on “Egypt’s AI Future,” with leaders from IBM, HPE, Deloitte Innovation Hub, WideBot AI, Intella, and Plug & Play Tech Centre discussing scaling startups, public–private partnerships, and innovation. Insights included IBM’s AI and hybrid cloud solutions, HPE’s energy-efficient AI systems, Deloitte’s AI platform expansion, and Egyptian startups’ funding successes.
Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will take place on 11–12 February 2026 at Cairo’s NCIEC, convening AI enterprises, startups, investors, and policymakers from 60 countries. The event features thought leadership discussions, frontier showcases in AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, and one of the region’s largest startup–investor gatherings, reinforcing Cairo’s role as a Middle East and Africa AI innovation hub.
