Egypt Advances Responsible AI Agenda Through New UNDP Partnership
The agreement includes the development of an AI Sandbox tailored to Egypt, providing a supervised environment where AI systems can be tested and evaluated before deployment to ensure compliance with responsible AI principles, regulatory requirements and public interest objectives.
Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has strengthened its international digital cooperation agenda during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva, holding high-level meetings with Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) , and the World Bank Group to advance collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and communications infrastructure.
On the sidelines of the forum, Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Raafat Hindi, met with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo Getau, to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in ICT. The discussions focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding previously signed by the two countries, which covers digital capacity building, software development, telecommunications equipment, ICT infrastructure, fibre-optic networks, submarine cables, cross-border connectivity, digital literacy programmes, and AI skills development for young people and rural communities.
The minister also witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen responsible AI governance in Egypt. The agreement includes the development of an AI Sandbox tailored to Egypt, providing a supervised environment where AI systems can be tested and evaluated before deployment to ensure compliance with responsible AI principles, regulatory requirements and public interest objectives.
The collaboration is also intended to strengthen Egypt’s institutional capacity to design, implement, monitor and evaluate AI governance frameworks. In addition, both parties explored opportunities for cooperation in public digital infrastructure initiatives, quantum computing, advanced computing technologies and the associated capacity-building programmes.
According to the ministry, the initiative aligns with the priorities of Egypt’s National Council for Artificial Intelligence and reflects the country’s commitment to moving from discussions on responsible AI to practical implementation. The collaboration aims to support the development of national expertise in designing and operating regulatory environments for emerging technologies.
Separately, Eng. Raafat Hindi met with Sangbu Kim, Vice President of the World Bank Group for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, to discuss expanding cooperation in digital transformation, AI, innovation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government technology and digital skills development linked to employment opportunities.
During the discussions, the minister highlighted the alignment between the World Bank’s digital agenda and Egypt’s Digital Egypt strategy, which focuses on expanding digital government services, creating jobs, supporting businesses and strengthening the digital economy as a driver of economic growth. He also outlined Egypt’s ongoing investments in fibre-optic infrastructure, including extending connectivity to villages and rural areas, alongside programmes aimed at digital skills development, freelance employment, the growth of the IT and business process outsourcing industry, and increasing digital exports.
The meetings were attended by senior officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority, as well as representatives from the UNDP and the World Bank Group.
