Telecom Egypt, NTRA and AASTMT Launch Cybersecurity Innovation Lab in Egypt
The new lab aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application by providing students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups with an advanced environment to develop and test solutions in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
Telecom Egypt, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) have inaugurated a new Cybersecurity Innovation Lab at the AASTMT Smart Village campus, marking a significant step in Egypt’s efforts to strengthen digital innovation, cybersecurity capabilities, and technology entrepreneurship.
The facility has been established under Telecom Egypt’s WE Innovate Star program, an initiative designed to support the entire innovation journey from academic research and idea development to product testing, startup growth, and commercialization. The new lab aims to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application by providing students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups with an advanced environment to develop and test solutions in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
The Cybersecurity Innovation Lab forms part of Telecom Egypt’s broader strategy to create a network of specialized innovation laboratories that support different stages of innovation. These facilities are intended to help transform research ideas into minimum viable products, test technologies in real operating environments, and prepare startups for market expansion and growth.
During the inauguration ceremony, Telecom Egypt Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Tamer El-Mahdy and AASTMT President Professor Ismail Abdel Ghaffar signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes the operational framework for the lab. The agreement includes specialized training programs, technical mentoring, practical workshops, and initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and industry.
Tamer El-Mahdy said the new facility represents an important component of Telecom Egypt’s strategy to support local talent and innovation. He noted that the WE Innovate Star program aims to provide a complete innovation pipeline that supports ideas from research and development through operational testing and market readiness.
Professor Ismail Abdel Ghaffar emphasized the importance of the partnership between academia and industry, stating that the laboratory provides students and researchers with access to advanced technologies and practical learning opportunities that can help prepare future generations to lead Egypt’s digital transformation.
The National Telecom Regulatory Authority also highlighted the project’s alignment with Egypt’s National Cybersecurity Strategy 2023–2027. Walid Zakaria, Deputy Head of the NTRA for Cybersecurity Affairs, said the initiative will help develop cybersecurity professionals capable of protecting the country’s digital infrastructure while fostering the creation of competitive products and services.
The inauguration was attended by senior representatives from the telecommunications, regulatory, and academic sectors, including officials from Telecom Egypt, NTRA, AASTMT, and AGX Consultant, the implementation partner for the WE Innovate Star program, as well as participating startups and technology teams.
The Cybersecurity Innovation Lab is expected to play a central role in Egypt’s innovation ecosystem by supporting scientific research, prototype development, product testing, and startup acceleration. Through this collaborative effort, Telecom Egypt and its partners aim to strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional hub for cybersecurity, digital innovation, and technology-driven economic growth.
