Egypt is seeking to strengthen technology diplomacy as part of its economic diplomacy and expand digital cooperation with African countries in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation and infrastructure.
Mohamed Karim Sherif, Assistant to Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs for African Affairs, disclosed this on Tuesday during the FDC Summit Egypt, which is being held in Egypt from Tuesday to Thursday.
Sherif said technology diplomacy had become an integral part of Egypt’s economic diplomacy, with greater emphasis expected in the coming period in collaboration with relevant government ministries and institutions.
“Since the beginning of 2026, there has been a focus on economic diplomacy, which encompasses all fields, with information and communications technology at its heart, alongside industry,” he said.
He said Egypt had contributed to the development of the African Union’s continental strategy on artificial intelligence and continued to participate in efforts aimed at strengthening African cooperation on AI and digital integration.
According to him, Egypt is also pursuing development and investment partnerships with African countries in ICT, digital infrastructure and financial inclusion.
“Egypt does not view these efforts as merely a national endeavour. We see ourselves as an integral part of a broader African and Arab digital ecosystem and as an active partner in building a shared digital future,” Sherif said.
He said Egypt also wanted African countries to play a greater role in shaping international rules governing emerging technologies instead of remaining largely dependent on standards and technologies developed outside the continent.
Sherif said Egypt had participated actively in international discussions on digital transformation, AI and cybersecurity.
He noted that during the World Telecommunication Development Conference, Egypt led efforts toward the adoption of a United Nations resolution on the use of AI technologies in telecommunications development.
On cybersecurity, Sherif said Egypt and several African partners supported the development of an international legally binding instrument to address harmful activities carried out by states through information and communications technologies.
He said such an instrument should promote responsible state behaviour, strengthen international security and support the peaceful use of ICT.
“The goal is to strengthen international security and ensure the peaceful use of information and communications technologies, while contributing to a coherent international agenda rather than fragmented or competing tracks,” he said.
Sherif said Egypt supported stronger African cooperation in digital transformation, cybersecurity and AI, based on national ownership, mutual benefit and respect for state sovereignty.
He added that Egypt was prepared to share its experience and establish partnerships with African countries to modernise digital infrastructure and promote greater digital integration across the continent.
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The Egyptian official also announced that Egypt would host the African Business Forum in Alamein from October 1 to 3, 2026.
The forum is expected to bring together African and Egyptian companies to discuss cooperation on issues of common interest, with ICT and industry among the key areas on the agenda.
Sherif said an upcoming roundtable involving African ambassadors would also focus on technology diplomacy, digital transformation, AI and cybersecurity.
He said the discussions would contribute to a policy paper that could support African efforts to advance technology diplomacy during the October forum.
Sherif further said Egypt’s engagement with Africa would continue to be guided by what he described as strategic balance and the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” stressing the relationship between security and development.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
