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Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dr. Amr Talaat delivered the opening address at the annual event of the Qodwa-Tech Initiative, titled “The Future of Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Transformation Era 2025.” Held under the theme “Partnerships that Amplify Impact,” the event marked the sixth anniversary of the initiative and coincided with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), celebrated globally this year under the theme “Gender Equality in Digital Transformation.”

In his remarks, Dr. Talaat emphasized the central role of the Digital Egypt strategy—launched over seven years ago—in building an inclusive, integrated digital society that empowers citizens across all segments. He reaffirmed that Qodwa-Tech, launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in 2019, is a key pillar of this strategy, specifically designed to enhance the digital skills and economic opportunities of Egyptian women through tailored ICT solutions.

“Women are the backbone of Egyptian society, and their empowerment is vital to the success of our digital transformation journey,” the Minister said, adding that the initiative has succeeded in training over 30,000 women across various governorates and preparing 55 female knowledge ambassadors, who in turn have transferred digital skills to more than 16,000 others within their communities.

Dr. Talaat highlighted Qodwa-Tech’s vital role in raising public awareness around cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its potential applications and risks. He also praised the initiative’s impact on enabling women artisans to digitally market their products, particularly in remote and rural areas.

The Minister concluded the opening session by honoring distinguished experts, local and international partners, and exemplary graduates of the program, recognizing their collective efforts to foster digital inclusion and sustainable impact.

A Model of Grassroots Digital Empowerment

Since its inception, Qodwa-Tech has trained approximately 32,000 women and hosted over 100 awareness events focused on digital financial technologies (FinTech), online safety, and sustainable development topics such as e-health. The initiative’s peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing model has allowed female ambassadors to champion digital transformation within their communities—especially in the fields of handicrafts, entrepreneurship, and project management.

UNDP Egypt Deputy Resident Representative Ghimar Deeb lauded the strong partnership with MCIT, reaffirming the UNDP’s commitment to advancing gender equality and youth empowerment. He emphasized the synergy between Qodwa-Tech and global development goals.

Meanwhile, MCIT Advisor for Digital Community Development Dr. Hoda Dahroug presented an in-depth overview of Qodwa-Tech’s achievements and future vision. She highlighted its success in building a network of female role models and introducing innovative AI-powered digital tools that integrate women into the local, regional, and global digital economy.

She also outlined a future roadmap focused on expanding community engagement, deepening private sector collaboration, and embedding environmental sustainability across all implementation phases.

Partnership-Driven Success

Adham Kassab, Director of the InnoPA Project at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), commended the initiative’s first training camp, co-organized with GIZ, which brought together beneficiaries with startup representatives to explore advanced digital tools, including e-commerce and AI.

The event also featured a dynamic panel session on sustainable community partnerships, moderated by Qodwa-Tech awardee Walaa Wagdy. Participants included Hisham El Essawy (Egyptian Handicrafts Export Council), Radwa Hawary (Sonaa El Kheir Foundation), Mostafa Gabr (TEDx speaker), and Ahmed Rostom (CEO, Wuilt). Discussions centered on addressing the key challenges facing Qodwa-Tech beneficiaries and identifying digital solutions to enhance their impact.

In her closing remarks, Hala Elsadek, Director of MCIT’s Central Department for Digital Community Development, shared key recommendations. These included developing a full value chain for traditional crafts, safeguarding intellectual property, and training women in digital content creation—spanning photography, storytelling, and design—to authentically reflect Egypt’s cultural identity.

Looking Ahead

The event concluded with the unveiling of Qodwa-Tech’s future vision, which includes training on AI-powered tools, developing professional digital content, and reaching new target groups such as women with disabilities and graduates of technical education. It also aims to scale training camps and broaden private sector collaborations.

A short documentary showcased success stories and the transformative impact of institutional partnerships on local communities. The event underscored MCIT’s long-term commitment, in collaboration with UNDP and other partners, to empowering women through technology and fostering inclusive digital development.