President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called on global telecoms group Orange to increase its investments in Egypt. He said the Egyptian market offered promising opportunities for growth and expansion.
The president made the remarks during a meeting on Sunday with Christel Heydemann, Chief Executive Officer of Orange Group. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy attended the meeting, alongside Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker, and Orange Egypt CEO Hisham Mehran, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed el-Shennawy said.
President Sisi stressed the need to boost co-operation with Orange in developing the skills of Egyptian youth. He called for specialised training in artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing and cybersecurity.
The president also expressed interest in exploring co-operation with Orange on the second phase of the national digital health project.
He said the group’s expertise in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity and systems integration could support the project.
The president highlighted Egypt’s efforts to develop the capabilities of young people. He pointed to government initiatives launched in recent years to help youth benefit from modern technologies and prepare for the future labour market, according to the presidency spokesman.
Sisi also stressed the importance of providing internationally recognised professional certifications. Such programmes should be developed in co-operation with global technology partners, he said.
The president praised Orange’s performance in Egypt, highlighting its work in telecommunications, digital transformation, smart platforms, community development and digital education.
Heydemann expressed her appreciation for meeting President Sisi. She said Orange’s success in Egypt, achieved in co-operation with the Communications and Information Technology Ministry and other state institutions, could serve as a model for other countries in the region. She said the model could be particularly useful in Africa.
Heydemann also praised the Egyptian government’s support for startups across the country. She welcomed initiatives aimed at developing youth skills, promoting innovation and supporting entrepreneurship.
Orange announced training grants for around 200,000 participants in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The programmes will include internationally recognised certifications. The step came in line with President Sisi’s directives to expand digital skills programmes.
Orange has also allocated €25 million to support startups working in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
The group further committed to supporting a number of Egyptian universities by providing modern technology laboratories. The facilities will help students gain practical experience and develop skills in advanced digital technologies.
