Egypt Launches First Hackathon in New Valley to Foster Youth Innovation and Digital Entrepreneurship

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT),  in collaboration with the Governorate of the New Valley, has launched the first-ever hackathon in the region, titled “New Valley Innovates”, aimed at promoting innovation and digital entrepreneurship among local youth. The initiative is academically supervised by the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and forms part of MCIT’s national strategy to strengthen innovation, build digital capacities, and stimulate technological entrepreneurship across Egypt.

The hackathon targets two age groups: school students aged 9–18 and university students and graduates aged 18–35. Participants will have the opportunity to develop innovative technological solutions addressing local challenges, with a focus on areas such as smart agriculture, water management, renewable energy, ecological and heritage tourism, and community services. Creative projects may include video games reflecting the cultural heritage of the New Valley, as well as websites, web and mobile apps, and smart management systems.

Governor of the New Valley, Major General Dr. Mohamed Al-Zamlout, highlighted the initiative’s role in empowering youth in remote regions, enabling them to contribute to the local economy, improve quality of life, and create job opportunities aligned with the digital economy of the future.

The hackathon will run from March 22 to 26, beginning with preparatory training workshops, followed by idea assembly, team qualification, and the final stage where winners will be announced. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, with first place receiving EGP 200,000, second place EGP 150,000, and third place EGP 100,000, based on innovation, community impact, technical quality, applicability, and teamwork.

Dr. Amr Talaat, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, stated that the hackathon provides a practical platform to transform creative ideas into actionable technological solutions that meet developmental needs and support sustainable local growth. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors to build a strong and sustainable digital economy.

Through “New Valley Innovates”, MCIT and the New Valley Governorate aim to foster a culture of digital entrepreneurship, discover technological talent early, and expand youth participation in Egypt’s ongoing digital transformation efforts.