Orange Egypt and GIZ Launch Digital Training Hub Supporting Youth Empowerment

Orange Egypt  has launched its first digital training center in Upper Egypt, in cooperation with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)  and in partnership with Aswan University,  marking a significant step toward empowering and upskilling young people in the region.

The newly inaugurated Orange Digital Center in Aswan represents an extension of Orange Egypt’s corporate social responsibility strategy, supported by the German government. The initiative focuses on equipping youth with in-demand digital skills and preparing qualified talent capable of integrating effectively into the labor market, through the provision of free technical training and dedicated support for university students and innovators across Upper Egypt.

The launch builds on the success of the Orange Digital Center in Cairo, which was established in 2021 through cooperation between Orange Egypt and GIZ. Since its opening, the Cairo center has trained thousands of young people in digital technologies, enhancing their employability and strengthening their readiness for the job market.

In this context, Dr. Loay Saad El-Din Nosrat, President of Aswan University, stated that the university’s participation in establishing the Orange Digital Center in Aswan aligns with Egypt’s national directives to support digital transformation and human capacity building, as well as the strategy of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. He noted that the initiative contributes to linking academic education with real labor market needs.

He added that Aswan University hosts the center on campus and provides the academic and organizational environment required for its operation, while coordinating with relevant faculties to ensure integration between training programs and academic disciplines.

The center’s programs are made available to university students as well as youth from Aswan and other Upper Egypt governorates, alongside support for training and research-related activities.

Maha Nagy , Chief Communications Officer at Orange Egypt, said that launching the first digital training center dedicated to empowering youth in Upper Egypt reflects the company’s strong commitment to its social role. She emphasized that supporting and upskilling youth is a strategic priority within Orange Egypt’s corporate social responsibility framework.

She added that Aswan Digital Center builds on the proven success of the Cairo Digital Center and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to expanding digital centers nationwide, in support of government efforts to promote digital education and innovation among youth across Egypt.

For her part, Shaheera Wasfi, Head of Governance and Community Development at GIZ, explained that the Orange Digital Center in Aswan embodies the German development cooperation approach, which is based on strategic partnerships with the private sector. Such partnerships, she noted, help create sustainable opportunities, expand access to underserved communities, and strengthen the role of youth in digital transformation.

The project was jointly implemented by Orange Middle East and Africa and GIZ on behalf of the German government under the develoPPP program, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through its “Decent Work for a Just Transition” initiative.

Orange Digital Center in Aswan operates as an integrated digital hub for youth in Upper Egypt, offering free in-person and online technical training programs.These include software development, embedded systems, data analysis, cybersecurity, as well as hands-on training in hardware, electronics, and rapid prototyping technologies.

In addition, the center provides technical and advisory support for university students and innovators, and organizes technology-focused events, competitions, and hackathons. These activities aim to foster innovation, help bridge the digital divide, and promote social inclusion across Upper Egypt.