Egypt Expands Digital Freelance Push to Boost Offshoring Exports
The strategy supports Egypt's broader ambition to become a regional hub for IT offshoring and digital services.
Egypt is ramping up efforts to strengthen its position in the global offshoring market by expanding its digital freelance workforce, as the country seeks to grow digital exports and capture rising international demand for technology services.
Speaking at the WorkShift Summit 2026, Mahmoud Sofrata, Vice President for Market Development at the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), said freelancing has become a key driver of the digital economy rather than an alternative form of employment.
He noted that Egypt ranks ninth globally in freelancing, according to the World Bank, with an estimated 850,000 digital freelancers. The country also benefits from a strong talent pipeline, producing around 750,000 university graduates each year, including approximately 50,000 engineers, helping build one of the largest technology talent pools across the EMEA region.
Sofrata said global demand for digital skills continues to rise, making competition among offshoring destinations increasingly intense. To strengthen Egypt’s position, ITIDA is expanding training programmes through initiatives such as Egypt FWD and ITIDA Gigs, while developing new incentives to help freelancers compete internationally and increase their contribution to digital exports.
The strategy supports Egypt’s broader ambition to become a regional hub for IT offshoring and digital services. The sector currently contributes more than 6% of the country’s GDP, with the government targeting an increase in digital services offshoring revenues from $5.2 billion in 2025 to $6 billion in 2026.
The WorkShift Summit 2026 brought together government agencies and industry leaders to discuss expanding digital employment and accelerating Egypt’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
