Egypt aims to produce 15 million mobile phones in 2026, up from 10 million units manufactured this year, as it accelerates efforts to turn its information and communications technology (ICT) sector into a regional production and export hub, Communications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat said.
Speaking at the Institute for Intelligence and Security Science Studies on Monday, Talaat said the government plans to begin exporting locally made mobile devices to international markets next year, marking a new phase in Egypt’s push to move beyond assembly and into higher-value technology manufacturing.
The 10 million devices produced in 2025 carried around 40 percent local added value, he said, reflecting progress in building domestic supply chains. Egypt has attracted 15 international mobile phone brands to manufacture locally, part of a broader industrial policy aimed at reducing imports, creating jobs and boosting foreign currency earnings.
“The ICT sector has become a strategic production sector, not just a services industry,” Talaat said, describing technology as an increasingly competitive arena globally, particularly with rapid advances in artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
The expansion of handset manufacturing comes as Egypt seeks to strengthen its export base amid ongoing pressure on foreign exchange reserves. Talaat said digital exports reached $7.4 billion in 2025, with a government target of $9 billion in the near term, driven by outsourcing, software development and technology-enabled services.
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Egypt’s ambitions are underpinned by its role as a key global data transit hub. Talaat said 21 international submarine cables currently pass through the country, carrying about 90 percent of data traffic between Asia and Europe and serving more than 60 countries. The strategic position, he added, gives Egypt a critical role in global connectivity and data security.
But Talaat warned that the growing reliance on digital infrastructure also brings risks. “Cyberattacks today have a direct impact on national security,” he said, underscoring why governments worldwide increasingly view ICT as a matter of strategic importance.
Human capital is a central pillar of Egypt’s technology strategy. Talaat said the government aims to train one million people in technology specialisations by 2030, up from around 800,000 trainees in 2025. Training programmes span software development, data analysis, cybersecurity and other digital skills in demand globally.
To support this effort, the state has established 27 applied technology schools, known as “WE” schools, one in each governorate, alongside the Egypt University of Informatics, which recently graduated its first cohort of students. The goal, Talaat said, is to create a steady pipeline of skilled workers to support manufacturing, outsourcing and emerging technologies.
Egypt has also expanded digital public services as part of its “Digital Egypt” initiative. Talaat said the national platform now offers 210 government services and has attracted more than 10 million registered users. Services include online payment of traffic fines and the first phase of digital services tailored for Egyptians living abroad.
The outsourcing sector remains another growth engine. Egypt hosts more than 270 outsourcing and digital service centres serving global markets, Talaat said. The sector has created around 60,000 jobs over the past three years, and recent agreements with 55 companies are expected to generate an additional 75,000 jobs.
Looking ahead, Talaat said the government’s priorities include completing the rollout of fibre-optic networks across all governorates and further improving mobile coverage following the launch of 5G services, which authorities see as essential for advanced manufacturing, smart cities and digital services.
The meeting was attended by senior military officials, including Major General Mohammed Salah el-Din Qatat, head of the Military Attaches Service, highlighting the growing intersection between technology, economic policy and national security.
As Egypt pushes to scale up phone production and digital exports, officials say success will depend on sustaining investment, upgrading skills and maintaining the infrastructure that underpins its ambitions to become a regional technology powerhouse.
