LE 6bln allocated to improve internet, telecommunications services at Haya Karima villages

CAIRO – 28 February 2022: Among the sectors that the presidential developmental initiative “Haya Karima” targets is the telecommunications and internet services in villages, where L.E. 6 billion was allocated to improve communications network and help small business owners take advantage of digital literacy.

“The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is one of the ministries that plays an important role in the initiative of a decent life, and has an important aspect in digitization and digital transformation in terms of providing infrastructure in villages for a decent life,” according to statements by Dr. Walaa Gad Al-Karim, Director of the Central Department of ‘Haya Karima’ Initiative at the Ministry of Local Development.

He said that two memoranda of understanding will be signed between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology with Microsoft, adding, "The Decent Life Initiative has gained international recognition over time."

Haya Karima Initiative aims to develop villages across Egypt, in order to achieve comprehensive development at all educational, community, health and economic levels and provide sustainable job opportunities for young people. It works to improve the lives of rural people, raising the quality of life, developing the infrastructure of homes and improving facilities.

The first phase targeted 375 villages, with a poverty rate reaching 70 percent or more, while efforts are in full swing to complete the development processes in all the targeted villages over a period of three years.

The plan of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is to improve the quality of communications services provided to citizens and enhance transparency and governance through the development of communications infrastructure and coverage of main roads and some areas in the governorates with mobile networks.

The plan includes:

-       Connecting the villages to the Internet, where a "Viber" line is provided for every home.

-       Connecting the targeted villages with fiber-optic cables to raise the efficiency of the Internet, and benefit one million homes.

-       Developing mobile towers, in agreement with companies, to lay cables and construct about 1,000 towers.

-       Working with government agencies to eradicate digital literacy for adults.

-       Developing post offices, reaching 878 offices, and providing them with automated teller machines.