• Home
• Technology

Technology and entrepreneurship leaders explored how Egypt can build billion-dollar companies, known as unicorns, amid the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence economy. The discussion took place during a session titled “The Next Unicorn” at the 30th edition of the Middle East and Africa Cairo International Technology Exhibition and Conference, Cairo ICT 2026. The session was moderated by Dr. Ahmed Abdel Latif, International Telecommunications Consultant.

AI Expands Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Dr. Heba Saleh, Director of the Information Technology Institute (ITI), highlighted the significant change AI has brought to graduates’ ability to launch businesses.

She explained that throughout the institute’s 34 years of operation across various technology disciplines, only 5% to 7% of graduates had succeeded in establishing business models after graduation before the emergence of AI.

Following the AI boom, however, ITI trained 4,400 graduates over the past year. Of these, 70% presented project ideas, while 30% developed business models aligned with market needs, generating approximately EGP 12 million in revenue.

Saleh noted that although the current financial value remains modest, these young entrepreneurs represent the foundation for future Egyptian unicorns, provided they receive the necessary conditions for growth and expansion.

Knowledge and Infrastructure as Foundations for Global Competitiveness

Mohamed El Mofty, CEO of ICT Misr, described artificial intelligence as one of the fastest routes toward building unicorn companies, given its reliance primarily on knowledge, talent and specialized skills.

He emphasized that knowledge is the cornerstone of this process, requiring the integration of diverse expertise to turn ideas into practical products and solutions. He also pointed to successful AI applications already implemented in sectors including energy, agriculture, healthcare and financial services.

Osama Halila, Enterprise Architect at CrossRealms International, added that developing AI models capable of competing globally requires investment in robust infrastructure and more mature, comprehensive business models that can serve as a foundation for international expansion.

Taking Egyptian Talent and Services to Global Markets

Ahmed Sami Tayel, Regional Director for Egypt and Africa at Fimple, said Egypt has the capabilities needed to expand its presence in international markets, based on the company’s experience in both the Egyptian and global markets.

Tayel called for reducing brain drain and focusing instead on exporting services and human capabilities from within Egypt to the rest of the world. He stressed that Egyptian professionals can compete internationally, provided they keep pace with technological developments more rapidly.

A Supportive Regulatory Environment for Fintech Growth

Jack Marco, Founder of Access Pay, praised Egypt’s regulatory environment for supporting innovation.

He explained that the company entered the Egyptian market in 2023 through a financial services wallet and has since reached one million customers.

Marco attributed the company's growth to the flexible regulatory framework established by the Central Bank of Egypt, which has encouraged the expansion of fintech companies. He added that Egypt has considerable potential to develop advanced technology products and solutions powered by artificial intelligence.

Cairo ICT 2026 Highlights Innovation and Startups

Cairo ICT is one of the region’s prominent gatherings for the telecommunications and information technology industries. Its 30th edition is held under the auspices of the Prime Minister, with a focus on practical AI applications to improve services, enhance business efficiency and support innovation across industries.

The accompanying events include the third edition of the AI, Data Centers and Cloud Computing Exhibition and Conference (AIDC²), and the 13th edition of the Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion Exhibition and Conference (PAFIX), held under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt.

The program also features the sixth edition of Connecta, dedicated to gaming, smart devices and entertainment technology. Meanwhile, the Innovation Arena provides startups and entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their products and solutions and connect with investors, business partners and innovation-support organizations.