Egypt launches its first government data and cloud computing center

Cairo – April 28, 2024: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the country’s first government data and cloud computing center on Sunday, otherwise known as a data hub, emphasizing the country’s commitment to significant advancements in information technology.

According to the Minister of Information Technology during his speech at the inauguration, the new data hub will serve as the central repository for all ministry data, fortified against cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Situated along the Ain Sokhna highway, the center spans 23,500 square meters, with 10,000 square meters designated for current infrastructure and the remainder reserved for future expansions.

The state spent billions of dollars in order to prepare an integrated infrastructure and the government data and cloud computing center’s launch will highlight Egypt’s technological progress, explained the president during his speech.

The center will drive the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across government operations by offering AI and data analysis applications for decision-making at every level.

It will also function as a centralized national data and disaster recovery center, ensuring self-management, operational efficiency, and privacy for critical projects like smart ports, streamlining import and export processes.

President El-Sisi stressed the necessity of strong infrastructure investments, acknowledging the significant costs incurred for the center’s establishment, emphasizing its pivotal role in propelling Egypt towards comprehensive modernization in an ever-evolving global landscape.

In 2023, the president stated that "I would not be exaggerating to say that, for the comprehensive modernization of the government district, providing highly advanced capabilities for the Egyptian state—whether through the establishment of data centers, the part hosting at least 50,000 state employees, secure networks, or other facilities—the cost has reached approximately LE 100 billion”.

During his speech on Sunday, he also highlighted that Egypt must benefit from its strategic location, particularly as around 90 percent of the world’s submarine cables pass through Egypt, making it a major hub for data transmission and communications. Egypt is second only to the US in terms of the number of submarine cables crossing the country.

The president also emphasized the importance of preparing an integrated infrastructure to preserve Egypt’s status as a major hub for transferring data between the East and the West.

Highlighting Egypt's strategic position as a key data transfer hub, El-Sisi underscored the importance of localizing data storage within the country, a significant shift from past reliance on costly foreign storage solutions.

El-Sisi emphasized the need to prepare the workforce for the digital age, urging families to encourage high school students to pursue careers in communications and information technology. He highlighted the various opportunities in technological fields, stressing the importance of meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in the digital sector.