Egypt has taken over the presidency of the 2026 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum.
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Minister Raafat Hindi pledged to guide the global platform towards concrete, measurable results that promote inclusive digital transformation and help close the global digital divide.
The handover from South Africa took place during the forum’s opening session in Geneva last week. The move underscores growing international confidence in Egypt’s digital progress.
Egypt has emerged as one of the developing world’s strongest examples of using digital technologies to spur economic growth, modernise public services, promote inclusion, and support sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, Minister Hindi said Egypt would lead the forum at a critical time for global digital governance.
“The challenge is no longer about defining a vision for the information society, but about accelerating its implementation amid rapid technological change,” he said.
He emphasised the potential of digital tools, especially artificial intelligence, to speed up sustainable development, improve public services, and broaden access to education and healthcare.
Egypt, the minister added, would work closely with international partners to ensure the forum produces practical outcomes through broad, inclusive cooperation.
In recent years, Egypt has made substantial investments in digital infrastructure as part of one of the most ambitious digital transformation programmes in the Middle East and Africa.
The government has rapidly expanded nationwide fibre-optic networks, upgraded telecom systems, and improved internet access across the country.
These efforts have led to noticeable gains in fixed and mobile broadband speeds, wider 4G coverage, and preparations for 5G roll-out.
At the same time, Egypt has strengthened its role as a regional digital hub.
Taking advantage of its strategic location at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and Asia, the Arab country has expanded its submarine cable landing stations, built advanced data centres, and launched a national government cloud system to modernise public services and data management.
