Egypt’s National Council for Artificial Intelligence Officially Adopts Open Data Policy
Egypt has taken a major step toward strengthening its digital governance framework with the official adoption of the National Open Data Policy. The decision, approved by the National Council for Artificial Intelligence chaired by Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, marks the country’s first comprehensive framework for making non-sensitive public sector data accessible.
The policy, prepared by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), came into effect in August 2025 as a transitional phase ahead of the forthcoming Data Governance Law and its executive regulations.
Positioned as a cornerstone of Egypt’s digital transformation, the Open Data Policy aims to:
Promote transparency and accountability, reinforcing public trust.
Empower citizens, businesses, and academia by enabling access to public data for innovation and service development.
Boost the digital economy, aligning with international best practices and Egypt’s sustainable development agenda.
Enhance public sector efficiency by improving data-driven planning, decision-making, and service delivery.
The framework is built on guiding principles such as “Open by Default,” ensuring government-held data is made available unless restricted by clear legal grounds. It also mandates that datasets be timely, accurate, machine-readable, and free of charge in most cases, with only nominal fees allowed to cover technical costs.
To oversee implementation, the National Council for AI has established a Joint Data Access Committee to review and approve datasets for publication. Each government entity will appoint Open Data Officers responsible for classification, quality assurance, and coordination with the national committee. Oversight will later transition to the forthcoming Egyptian Data Governance Authority (EDGA).
As part of its rollout plan, MCIT has already launched initiatives to build institutional and technical capacity, including staff training, the development of a unified national open data portal, and mechanisms for public feedback to improve dataset quality.
By adopting the Open Data Policy, Egypt aligns itself with global governance models while tailoring the framework to national priorities. The move is expected to stimulate innovation, foster economic growth, and reinforce Egypt’s vision of building a more inclusive, knowledge-driven economy.