Orange Group has pledged EUR 25 million to support startups operating in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies in Egypt, as part of the company’s push to strengthen its presence in the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.
The group also intends to offer training grants to approximately 200,000 people across Egypt, with a focus on building skills in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The announcement came during a meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Orange Group CEO Christel Heydemann. Also present were Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy, Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker, and Orange Egypt CEO Hisham Mahran.
As part of the initiative, Orange committed to supporting several Egyptian universities by setting up modern technology labs aimed at giving students hands-on experience with advanced digital tools.
During the discussion, El-Sisi emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration between the government and Orange to prepare Egyptian youth with the skills needed for the evolving job market.
The planned training programs will span artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, and will also help participants pursue internationally recognized professional certifications.
Talks between the two sides also touched on broader cooperation across Egypt’s communications and IT sector, leveraging Orange’s expertise in telecommunications, digital transformation, and technology infrastructure.
El-Sisi voiced interest in partnering with Orange on the second phase of Egypt’s national digital health initiative, with emphasis on digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and systems integration.
The president also pointed to opportunities for Orange to grow its investments in Egypt, citing the market’s strong growth potential and ongoing government efforts to advance digital skills and expand the use of emerging technologies.
For her part, Heydemann commended Orange’s collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and other government bodies.
She noted that the group’s work in Egypt could serve as a blueprint for similar efforts in other countries in the region, especially across Africa.
Heydemann also pointed to government initiatives supporting startups across Egypt’s governorates, along with programs centered on youth skill-building, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
